Dunnet Forestry Trust is 'volunteer friendly'
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Dunnet Forestry Trust (DFT) received awards and certificates at a special event in the forest to mark The Big Help Out day.
In celebration of its volunteering as part of the national event on May 8, DFT gathered some of its volunteers and presented them with training certificates, and awards of recognition at a social gathering in the log cabin of Dunnet forest.
In addition, the organisation achieved the Volunteer Friendly Award (VFA) which is an acknowledgement of the work it does with volunteers. The VFA is described as "a user-friendly quality standard to support, recognise and reward groups who are good at involving volunteers".
Achieving this award indicates that the organisation adheres to good practice around governance and is up-to-date with current practices. The award is valid for three years. The DFT development officer, Garance Warburton, completed the assessment process with support from Catherine Patterson, the volunteer development officer at Caithness Voluntary Group (CVG).
Garance also received a personal Chainsaw Maintenance, Cross Cutting and Felling Training Certificate along with volunteer foresters Tom Bennet and George Pain.
DFT says it is delighted to welcome young volunteers to its weekend Sunday volunteering sessions and some of the youngsters also received their Saltire Award certificates on the day. Eight young volunteers received Saltire Awards ranging from 10 to 50 hours and Kieran Chard received a 500-hour Saltire Certificate.
Live music was provided by Tom and George and everyone tucked into a lovely array of cakes and refreshments to thank the volunteers for helping out and making a difference.
