Support Services Manager
East Cheshire Hospice
East Cheshire Hospice cares for adults suffering from life-limiting illnesses from which there is no cure.

Level 5 NVQ in Management of Volunteers 
Capacitybuilders Programme

Suzanne Brownbridge had been looking for a qualification which would compliment her role as Support Services Manager, responsible for overseeing both the HR and Volunteer functions at East Cheshire Hospice. “I support the Volunteer Co-ordinator with the everyday management of volunteers, from recruitment and selection, policy and procedure development to training and development needs.  I wanted a qualification that would enhance my role and give me the assurance I needed to work with confidence and build upon the foundations set within the Volunteer function.”

"I liked the one-to-one support as it was very personal.”  

Funded by Capacitybuilders, Suzanne began an NVQ Level 5 in Management of Volunteers with PNE Development.  She utilised PNE Development’s online assessment system, OSCAR, to upload her evidence and access course materials.  By working online, Suzanne had the flexibility to work on the NVQ at home or at work and at any time of day: “I took OSCAR step by step as the technology was very alien to me.  I really liked it once I got going and I loved being able to access the system inside or outside my working hours.  Everything was instantaneous and I had all the information at hand to improve my knowledge.” 

"It was great to have instant access to trustworthy information when I needed a quick reference at work.” 

In addition to OSCAR, Suzanne used PNE Development’s online learning academy, GLOBE.  Suzanne was able to read course materials, complete quizzes to improve her knowledge and listen to audio and video files.  She describes the benefits of using GLOBE: “It supported the day to day activity of building evidence for the NVQ.  There was lots of depth to the information given on GLOBE and by going into the detail behind policies and procedures I was able to broaden my knowledge.  It was great to have instant access to trustworthy information when I needed a quick reference at work.”

Suzanne was supported throughout her NVQ by her assessor, Tracy Gee: “Tracy was very relaxed and easy to speak to.  She provided assistance and support and we worked very well together.  I liked the one-to-one support as it was very personal.”  Suzanne found that the combination of one-to-one guidance from her assessor and flexible, online support helped her to structure her own learning and manage the time she dedicated to the NVQ. 

"I am now able to keep our volunteers’ interests at the forefront of the organisations objectives to provide excellence in the workplace.”

Suzanne notes the benefits of completing a Level 5 NVQ in Management of Volunteers: “It helped me to focus on my individual development and consider how to achieve my goal of taking my role further.  I have more confidence when speaking with peers and have been invited to co-facilitate a volunteer management workshop for Community and Voluntary Action Cheshire East.”

Suzanne’s newly acquired confidence is still benefiting her organisation: “We have over five hundred volunteers at East Cheshire Hospice but sometimes their interests are not always considered alongside those of paid staff.  I am now able to keep our volunteers’ interests at the forefront of the organisations objectives to provide excellence in the workplace.”

"The NVQ brings credence and responsibility to the role of volunteer manager and suits many learning styles." 

The NVQ in Volunteer Management has both a personal and a professional impact, notes Suzanne, who argues that “recent government research shows that volunteer managers are not always fully qualified.  The NVQ brings credence and responsibility to the role of volunteer manager and suits many learning styles.  It is a very supportive way of learning and helps you to continually develop in your role and provides a sound platform to move towards a higher level of strategic planning.”