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Case Studies
This section will be used to showcase the work we do with groups. If you would like to feature your experience of working with Group Support please contact Marian McGowan on m.mcgowan@vacoventry.org.uk
PQASSO Quality Mark Experience Ellen Alcock Deputy Director Grapevine (Coventry and Warwickshire)
Grapevine started their PQASSO journey in October 2009 and secured the PQASSO external accreditation (Quality Mark) at level 1 in July 2011, here's their account of their experience.
Who we are
Grapevine works with people with learning disabilities. We support people to get the life they want in their local community. We believe everyone has a right to a good life, living in a home they like, with a network of friends and family, and to be involved in work or other activity that is important to them.
Why we wanted to achieve the Quality Mark
The Quality Mark is recognised throughout the voluntary sector and lets us show people that we are a quality organisation.
It was important to us as an organisation as the Quality Mark gave us a way to measure ourselves and gave us focus and direction for quality improvements.
How we found the Quality Mark process
Achieving the Quality Mark was hard work and took time and commitment. Our staff, trustees, members and volunteers all had to play a part for us to succeed. Doing the assessment process made us look at ourselves critically and it showed what we were good at and what we needed to work on.
The process is rigorous and demanding as you have to demonstrate through evidence that you are doing everything you say you do.
We had support from Kate Harris at VAC both on a 1-1 basis and from peer support sessions. It would have been much harder without this.
Did we achieve what we wanted?
We achieved the Quality Mark which means that outside organisations know we are a quality organisation. The work we did to reach the standard needed for the Quality Mark helped Grapevine develop and improve throughout. It also makes it much easier to show that we understand and are committed to quality.
Would we do it again!?
It was a lot more work than we realised when we started and would have been harder without the support we had from Kate and VAC. However, we would do it again as it feels like a real achievement for Grapevine and it has helped us to improve as an organisation.
Tips to other groups thinking of doing the Quality Mark
Make sure you have time and space in your work load to do this. It really takes some time and commitment to see it through although it is worth it at the end.
Access any support you can whether its VAC or CES or find someone else who is currently doing PQASSO or has done it in the past. It is hard going without plenty of support.
Be aware that you will need to involve your Trustees, staff, volunteers and the people who use your organisation. It is not something that can be achieved by one member of staff.
