A leading Bolton charity for older people has been recognised for its dedication to volunteers.

Age UK Bolton has always been a proud champion for its volunteers and the amazing work they do to support the work the charity does for, and on behalf of, older people in Bolton.

The charity has always benefited from the generous work of volunteers since it started life more than 70 years ago as the Bolton Older People’s Welfare Committee, and that has continued with the latest annual report boasting 235 active volunteers filling 266 volunteering roles across the charitable work that Age UK Bolton is involved with across the borough.

And now the charity has been recognised by Bolton Community and Voluntary Services, known more widely as Bolton CVS, through its Volunteer Charter.

The Volunteer Charter is a set of principles designed to help groups demonstrate their commitment to volunteers and to support quality volunteering experiences and is issued by Bolton CVS. 

Bolton CVS developed the programme, with support from many other voluntary and community organisations including Bolton Council, Bolton University, Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, and Greater Manchester Mental Health, among others.

To achieve the charter an organisation must demonstrate commitment to volunteers that saw them welcomed into the organisation, treated with respect, valued and that the physical and mental wellbeing of the volunteers was treated with the utmost importance.

As well as this, the organisation had to show that a suitable induction and training process was in place and adhered to for all volunteers.

Age UK Bolton’s application to achieve the Volunteer Charter was headed by volunteer coordinator Tara Barker who was presented with the Charter by Karen Arkwright, the VSCE Development officer at Bolton CVS, who said: “Age UK Bolton are a great example of how to manage and engage with volunteers.

“They have a great volunteer’s area on their website, a Volunteer Handbook and access to relevant policies. Potential volunteers can see they are going to supported, even before they begin.”

Tara added: “We are immensely proud of our volunteers and the relationship we have with them at Age UK Bolton.

“We do everything we can to ensure that our volunteers feel valued and supported, holding regular training sessions as well as events to celebrate their efforts and commitments to our charity and its work with older people in Bolton.

“To be recognised by Bolton CVS through the Volunteer Charter is something we feel privileged by and will continue to work hard to support and celebrate our wonderful volunteers.”

To find out more about Volunteering with Age UK Bolton visit www.ageukbolton.org.uk or call Tara on 01204 382411.

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