Your local Volunteer Centre, run by Bromsgrove and Redditch Network (BARN), has received the Volunteer Centre Quality Accreditation (VCQA) again in 2026 despite the turbulent year we’ve had.
This was great news for the charity after such a difficult period. Last year we were forced to move from Community House and find a new home. After spending half a year temporarily located at the REDI Centre we finally moved our new premises in the heart of Redditch at the start of this year.
The accreditation, awarded by the National Association of Voluntary and Community Action (NAVCA), ensures the holder provides a high quality and effective local service. It is only awarded at the end of a rigorous assessment process lasting up to six months, and after interviews with staff, volunteers, and other organisations that the Centre works with.
“This feels like a massive achievement for us after the stressful year we’ve had. Having had to leave our home of 13 years at Community House, been based temporarily at the REDI Centre, and then moved again to our new base, last year was a bit of a blur. Despite that, a national body like NAVCA has talked to us, assessed our work, and validated its quality. It’s a huge compliment for our staff and volunteers. We’re so proud to have been recognised in this way.”
Gary Roskell, Chief Executive
Bromsgrove and Redditch Network is a local charity, and runs the local Volunteer Centre. It provides a volunteering matchmaking service across Bromsgrove and Redditch, helping individuals and groups who want to volunteer, and organisations that need volunteers. Volunteers are vital to help local charities, community groups and other services to keep going, and volunteering is a great way to make new friends, gain confidence, help others, and boost your CV.
People can contact the Volunteer Centre team in different ways:
- At our new home at 11a Church Green East, Redditch B98 8BP on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays
- Find us online at barn.org.uk/volunteercentre
- Phone 01527 60282
The Volunteer Centre also runs the Skills for Work programme, which helps people learn new skills and improve their CV though volunteering, and a young people’s project Live.Grow.Succeed. livegrowsucceed.org
The Volunteer Centre Quality Accreditation is the only quality certification process designed specifically for local Volunteer Centres. The Volunteer Centre was assessed on the quality of its work and the range of services it offers. You can find out more at https://www.navca.org.uk/quality-accreditation