High praise for community charity helping volunteers to thrive.

Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen has praised a charity’s success in promoting volunteering across the county after it secured a national award.

Durham Community Action (DCA) is one of the first three organisations nationally to have successfully achieved reaccreditation from the Volunteer Centre Quality Accreditation.

The endorsement is awarded to organisations that demonstrate a high level of impact in the delivery of volunteer services in their local areas and follows a rigorous independent assessment process set up by the National Association for Voluntary and Community Action.

DCA is a charity providing advice, support and assistance to frontline voluntary and community groups working across County Durham. Staff work closely with groups and individual volunteers to identify their needs, help them secure funding and resources and provide the support and encouragement they need to make a difference to their communities.

County Durham and Darlington Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen, who provides funding support to DCA, said: “I am absolutely delighted Durham Community Action continues to be held in such high regard nationally with this reaccreditation award.

“From campaigning for the sustainable development of community spaces through to boosting opportunities for people to enhance their skills, confidence and employability, the charity plays a vital role in making our communities, and the people within them, safer and more resilient to crime. I am very grateful for DCA’s ongoing support in securing the county the funding and resources needed to improve local lives and develop stronger communities.

“I know my own Community Peer Mentors have benefitted from DCA’s outstanding advice and support over the past seven years which has enabled us to grow and improve our support for our amazing volunteers, and ultimately the public. DCA is a centre of excellence for all voluntary organisations whatever their size, focus or specialism and are always there to ensure volunteers are given the opportunity to grow and enjoy the experience of helping others.

“I am proud of all of their achievements and this latest accolade is richly deserved by everyone on the team.”

Since DCA introduced its ‘volunteer passport’, which provides training for volunteers to recognise skills and validate experiences they may not have previously recognised themselves, the Community Peer Mentors scheme has received more than 20 volunteers through the scheme. The training has improved their communications skills, assertiveness and team working, providing a ‘ready to go’ volunteer.

During assessment for Volunteer Centre Quality Accreditation, DCA was able to demonstrate through the activities of its volunteer centre and engagement with local networks and decision makers that it creates a ‘positive environment’ in which ‘volunteering is flourishing’.

DCA, which is a member national organisation Action With Communities in Rural England (ACRE), was also found to increase and improve the quantity, quality, and diversity of volunteering locally, provide a voice for volunteering and increase awareness of the issues impacting on volunteering through its volunteer centre.

The Assessor commented: “The evidence provided leads me to believe that this is a forward-thinking proactive community led organisation with influence where needed.

“DCA’s work has led to both partners and stakeholders understanding the impact of volunteering by the published case studies, their work with colleagues explaining the value of volunteering and the Volunteer Kite Mark for Durham VIOs which demonstrates the organisation’s commitment to best practice in volunteer management. More importantly their place in partnerships and forums all over County Durham means the voice of the third sector is heard where it counts.”

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