The York Citywide Volunteering Quality Mark recognises organisations that are providing high quality volunteering opportunities and experiences, demonstrating consistent best practice in volunteer recruitment, support, inclusion, and management.

Celebrating and supporting quality volunteering in York

In York, volunteering is a powerful way for people to connect, share skills and support their communities. In 2022, organisations, volunteers and residents came together to shape the future of volunteering across the city.

This work led to the creation of the York Citywide Volunteering Strategy – a five-year plan to strengthen and improve volunteering. This strategy identifies the need for consistent, best practice in volunteer recruitment, support and management across the city. It highlights the desire for a Volunteering Quality Mark for York which ensures basic things are in place so volunteers can easily recognise where they will have a good quality volunteering experience.

What is the York Citywide Volunteering Quality Mark?

The York Citywide Volunteering Quality Mark was developed, piloted and launched in 2025 and recognises organisations that offer welcoming, supportive and inclusive volunteering experiences. It helps individuals and communities identify where they can expect good quality and well-managed opportunities.

This mark is open to York CVS member organisations that commit to the York Citywide Volunteering Pledge and demonstrate their support of the Principles of Good Quality Volunteering.

Who can apply?

Organisations must:

✔ Be a member of York CVS
✔ Sign up to the York Citywide Volunteering Pledge
✔ Show how they meet the six key principles of good quality volunteering
✔ Provide evidence of policies and practices that support volunteer involvement

Applications will be accepted from January 2026 onwards.

The Principles of Good Quality Volunteering

Principle 1: A positive volunteering ethos within the organisation

What do we mean?

The organisation understands that volunteering is mutually beneficial for both the organisation and the volunteer.
Volunteering is valued as part of the culture of the organisation and the benefits of volunteering are understood by employees, management team and trustees.
The organisation has a clear vision for how volunteering contributes to the overall aims of the group, understands the value of volunteering and has clear goals for volunteering or a volunteering strategy.
Volunteers are positively embedded in the organisation and included in relevant policies and processes.
There is sufficient resource allocated to volunteering including costs of volunteering factored into budgets and time factored into staff planning and role descriptions.

Principle 2: Accessible and inclusive volunteering

What do we mean?

The organisation is inclusive and welcoming to all, and volunteering is managed in a way that encourages people from a diverse range of backgrounds to volunteer.
There is a proactive approach to increasing volunteer diversity including regular review of relevant processes and policies and adaptations offered when necessary.
DBS checks, references and other safeguarding processes undertaken are proportionate to the volunteer role and there are clear guidelines on working with volunteers with convictions.
Any restrictions on volunteering (age, sex, disability, other protected characteristics, convictions or otherwise) are clearly explained, are relevant to the role and respect relevant laws around protected characteristics. Information about volunteering opportunities is made widely available to relevant groups of people.
Volunteer expenses are paid (if applicable) and volunteers are made aware of expenses policy.

Principle 3: Recruiting and welcoming volunteers

What do we mean?

It is easy for people to find out about and express interest in or apply for volunteer roles at the organisation.
Different means of volunteer recruitment are considered, both widespread and targeted, as appropriate. (posters, magazines, newsletters, websites, social media, word of mouth, partner organisations).
Where an organisation has a variety of volunteering opportunities across different departments or sites there is a consistent and informed approach to recruitment.
There are clear volunteer role descriptions available for each volunteer role.
Recruitment processes and interviews are appropriate, fair, consistent and timely for the volunteer roles.
Recruitment is a two way process with volunteers able to find out more about the organisation and roles on offer.
Volunteers are provided with relevant information and training for their role on starting their placement.
There is a conversation about desired outcomes for both the volunteer and the organisation, as well as identification of any support needs.
There is a volunteer agreement that all new volunteers sign up to.
There is an appropriate induction for all new volunteers and they know who their point of contact is on and off site.

Principle 4: Supporting and developing volunteers

What do we mean?

Volunteers feel appropriately supported in their role and have access to everything they need to succeed including support, training and equipment.
There is clear guidance given about expectations for volunteers.
The values of the organisation are clearly communicated to volunteers.
Volunteers have the opportunity to discuss how they are doing, express their views and ideas and identify training needs and opportunities on a regular basis.
Volunteers know how to raise any concerns they may have and how they will be handled.
If problems arise with a volunteer placement there are clear procedures around how these will be addressed.
There are mutually respectful relationships between staff and volunteers and the organisation offers training and support on working with and managing volunteers.
Volunteers are kept informed and up to date with news and opportunities relevant to them as a volunteer.
There is a volunteer exit process that supports volunteers leaving the organisation and uses any feedback to improve volunteer experiences.

Principle 5: Valuing volunteers

What do we mean?

Volunteers feel their contribution to the organisation is meaningful and rewarding.
Volunteers feel valued and appreciated, and that their contribution is actively recognised.
Volunteers feel part of the organisation.
Volunteers have opportunities to connect with and learn from other volunteers.
The organisation regularly captures feedback from volunteers (formally or informally) and uses the feedback to improve volunteer experiences.

Principle 6: Volunteer processes and good governance

What do we mean?

Volunteering is well managed and supported by good processes.
All relevant policies, processes, professional body registrations and insurance are in place to support volunteering, including for volunteer expenses and vehicle usage (if relevant).
There are designated people responsible for managing and supporting volunteers.
Volunteer records are keep in alignment with data protection laws.
DBS and safeguarding processes, including reference and international police checks, are used when appropriate.

Download the Principles

Apply now

Quality Mark disclaimer

Talk to us!

Ask us questions – please get in touch if you have any questions about the Quality Mark or how to submit your application.

Tel: 01904 621 133

Email: qualitymark@yorkcvs.org.uk

Join us…

Are you a member of York CVS?

By becoming a member of York CVS you will gain access to regular updates about our training, events and funding opportunities.

Membership is free, click on the button below to complete the online application form and to find out more.

Become a member

How to apply

Step 1: Download and read documents

Download and read The Principles of Good Quality Volunteering and download and complete the Application Pack

Remember organisations must:

✔ Be a member of York CVS

✔ Sign up to the York Citywide Volunteering Pledge

✔ Show how they meet the six key principles of good quality volunteering

✔ Provide evidence of policies and practices that support volunteer involvement

Step 2: Save your files

Save your completed application form and all supporting evidence on your computer in one place (for example, in a folder on your desktop).

Tip: Name your folder something easy to recognise, such as “OrgName_QualityMark.”

Step 3: Select your files

Select your files Click and drag to highlight all the files you want to include. This should include your:

☐ Application form

☐ Evidence documents

☐ Any supporting statements

Step 4: Create a zipped folder

Right-click the selected files and choose: Windows: Send to > Compressed (zipped) folder

Mac: Compress items > A new .zip file will appear.

Step 5: Send your zipped files

Email your zipped folder to qualitymark@yorkcvs.org.uk with the subject line: “York Volunteering Quality Mark – [Organisation Name] Submission.”

Make sure your zipped folder is attached before sending.

Step 6: Confirmation

You’ll receive an email confirming that we’ve received your application, along with details of the next steps and when you can expect to hear back.

Quick Checklist

☐ All required sections completed

☐ Evidence included

☐ File zipped and clearly named

☐ Email sent to qualitymark@yorkcvs.org.uk

Download the Principles

Apply now

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Need support?

We’re here to support you through the process, just click below to email the team. Alternatively, you can call 01904 621 133 – leave a message and we’ll get back to you!

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Organisations awarded the York Citywide Volunteering Quality Mark

These organisations have demonstrated their commitment to creating inclusive, high-quality volunteering experiences by meeting the six principles of good quality volunteering.