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Why every volunteer involving organisation should be working towards Investing in Volunteers (IiV)
Volunteers are a vital asset to many organisations, bringing skills, passion and community connections that help deliver real impact. However, creating an outstanding volunteer experience requires more than good intentions.
Investing in Volunteers (IiV) is the UK quality standard for volunteer management, providing a proven framework that helps organisations assess, strengthen and celebrate their approach to volunteering.
The IiV journey follows a structured six-step process:
- Getting Started
- Self-Assessment
- Improving Practice
- Assessment
- Achieving and Celebrating the Award
- Continuous Improvement and Renewal.
Rather than being a simple accreditation exercise, the process encourages organisations to reflect on their current practice, identify areas for development and make meaningful improvements that benefit both volunteers and the organisation as a whole.
What are the Investing in Volunteers areas of assessment?
At the heart of the standard are six quality areas that reflect every aspect of volunteer involvement.
Organisations are assessed on their:
- Vision for Volunteering
- Planning for Volunteers
- Volunteer Inclusion
- Recruiting and Welcoming Volunteers
- Supporting Volunteers
- Valuing and Developing Volunteers
Together, these areas ensure volunteering is embedded within organisational culture, managed effectively and accessible to a diverse range of people. Find out more about these six quality areas here.
Organisations that have achieved IiV consistently highlight the value of the process.
Open SU reflected:
You cannot really know how well you are doing unless you have the time to ask. I think the IiV process allows that time to apply that specific lens.
The organisation also praised the evidence-based feedback that helps identify future improvements.
Similarly, RE:MAKE Newport found the process both practical and rewarding, stating that:
Taking part in IiV has been an enjoyable and rewarding experience for us; far less onerous than we first expected... It became a valuable opportunity to fine-tune our approach alongside our volunteers.
Working towards IiV demonstrates a genuine commitment to volunteers, reassures funders and stakeholders, and helps organisations build a culture of continuous improvement.
Most importantly, it ensures volunteers feel welcomed, supported, valued and empowered to make a difference. For any volunteer-involving organisation, IiV is far more than an award – it is a pathway to excellence and lasting impact.