Investing in Volunteers is the UK quality standard for all organisations involving volunteers. This award recognises Bethany Christian Trust’s professionalism and support of its volunteers throughout the organisation, who help to provide vital connections, advice and practical help to people who use our services across Scotland.

Now operating over thirty services, Bethany Christian Trust supports over 7,000 people annually across Glasgow, Kilmarnock, Fife, West Lothian, Dundee, Aberdeen, Inverness, Stornoway, Perth, Dumfries and Edinburgh, with over 3,000 volunteers.

The assessment by Volunteer Scotland took place over six days with 58 volunteer interviews and questionnaires.

One volunteer said: “Working alongside the staff at Bethany Christian Trust has been an absolute privilege. I volunteered thinking that I could help the charity, but I have gained more from the role than I could ever possibly hope to give back to the service with which I volunteer.”

Chief executive, Alasdair Bennett, volunteer coordinator, Gladness Cole and people team manager, Izzy de Izaguirre were present to receive the award on the charity’s behalf.

Alasdair Bennett shared: “This award is for all of the wonderful volunteers across Bethany who give their hearts to the work in multiple different ways across Scotland. We simply could not fulfil our mission without the incredible volunteer force that are involved in all aspects of the life of Bethany Christian Trust. It encourages us in our support and management of volunteers to have received such a glowing audit report from Volunteer Scotland and to have been awarded the Investing in Volunteers quality standard for the third time. Thank you for this endorsement of the value of volunteering and the amazing contribution that volunteers make to society through Bethany’s work.”

Gladness Cole, on the organisation’s volunteers, added: “I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt thanks to every one of our volunteers for their incredible dedication and hard work. Their selfless contributions have made a significant impact on Bethany Christian Trust, and we are incredibly grateful for their generosity, time and energy in ending homelessness in Scotland, one person at a time.”