Open SU has once again been recognised for excellence in volunteer management, achieving Investing in Volunteers (IiV) Accreditation for 2026.
We achieved a 'Met' outcome, the highest standard. This marks our second successful renewal, securing our certification for the next three years and reaffirming the vital role volunteers play in shaping the OU student experience. The final verdict reflects an environment where student volunteers are not just involved, but truly empowered, supported, and celebrated.
Volunteering at the centre
Volunteers are the heartbeat of Open SU. Our organisational structure places students and representatives at the very centre, enabling our Board of Trustees, Student Leadership Team (SLT), and staff to make a positive difference for the entire student body.
With over 20 roles available throughout the year, volunteers contribute across:
- Governance and academic representation
- Community building and sustainability
- Equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) initiatives
- Dedicated support for students in secure environments
The accreditation process
To ensure objectivity, the assessment was completed by an external assessor. They reviewed six key areas of volunteer management, spanning from initial onboarding and training to ongoing communication and recognition.
As part of the process, we submitted a comprehensive self-assessment, mapping our practices against industry benchmarks. It involved the voices of both staff and volunteers, with 94% of volunteer roles represented in the interview sample.
The findings
1. A strong vision and strategy
IiV assessors praised the Open SU staff team for deeply embedding volunteering within our mission, values, and strategic planning. Volunteers actively co-create our vision, contribute to strategic priorities, and advocate for students on committees across the OU.
2. Inclusive, accessible, and welcoming
Assessors highlighted our commitment to EDI and belonging as a major strength. Key initiatives praised include:
- A dedicated, specialist EDI and Belonging team.
- Volunteer-led forums, such as our Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic Students Group, OU Pride, and our Disabled Students Group.
- A Reasonable Adjustments Policy tailored for volunteers.
- An inclusion toolkit, co-created alongside volunteers from marginalised groups.
3. Recruitment and induction
The IiV report commended our clear, accessible recruitment process. Prospective volunteers can easily explore opportunities online, attend interactive information sessions, and receive transparent details regarding training and time commitments.
Volunteers described onboarding as "very thorough", "smoothly laid out" and "really well done". One representative noted: "The induction gave me the confidence to go into the first meeting and comment on papers."
4. Outstanding support
Support was one of the most resoundingly positive themes in the assessment. Volunteers consistently described staff as responsive, approachable, and genuinely invested in their wellbeing and time management.
One volunteer stated that “staff have got your back and there is always someone you can talk to,” while another said that Open SU “encourage everyone’s voice to be heard, whatever their background or beliefs.”
5. Celebrating our volunteers
Since the last assessment, we launched the Thanking Volunteers Recognition Framework, a new initiative co-created with volunteers. This brought about our first Thanking Volunteers Evening in April, celebrating the diverse contributions of student volunteers. Peer and staff nominations spotlighted those who consistently live out our values in their volunteering work. We will tell you more about this special evening later this week.
Looking to the future: areas for growth
The true value of the Investing in Volunteers framework lies in its anonymous, candid feedback. Based on insights from our volunteers, here are just some of the areas that we will be focusing on:
- Streamlining communication: Ensuring all volunteers receive timely, centralised updates.
- Progress check-ins: Implementing more structured, regular touchpoints with staff.
- Enhancing election support: The assessment took place during our Student Leadership Team elections. The feedback gathered from candidates during this period will be directly used to improve the support and processes available for future student leaders.
Going above and beyond
Open SU has been praised for creating a culture that doesn't just manage volunteers but truly listens to them. By inviting students to generate ideas, we have built a community where everyone has something valuable to bring to the conversation.
Danielle Cafearo, Open SU Volunteering Manager, said: "This is the third time Open SU has successfully achieved this accreditation. It is not just a badge; it’s a testament to the passion, commitment, and community spirit of our volunteers and staff."
The Investing in Volunteers accreditation gives us the opportunity to bring new and diverse perspectives into our volunteering programme, and to continue improving the volunteer experience.