British Tinnitus Association achieves Investing in Volunteers Standard

24 December 2015 National charity the British Tinnitus Association (BTA) are pleased to announce that they have been awarded the Investing in Volunteers Standard. Investing in Volunteers (IiV) is the UK quality standard for good practice in volunteer management.

The BTA has a team of enthusiastic and motivated volunteers from all sections of the community, assisting with a wide range of roles from administration, fundraising and helpline responding.

Dave Carr, Volunteering and Engagement Manager for the BTA says: “I'm delighted that the BTA has been recognised as an Investing in Volunteers organisation. There are many benefits to achieving the Standard including reassuring our volunteers, Trustees and funders that we are doing things properly.”

Volunteer Sukoluhle Ncube adds: “I decided to volunteer because l wanted to give something to the community, volunteering also helps me focus on the positive. When l'm in the office l feel like l'm part of the team and my help is appreciated.”

Dave comments: “Our new volunteer programme is still in its infancy as we've been focusing on getting volunteers to help in our small Sheffield office. The next stage is to start to have volunteers engaged in more and more activity around the country. If anyone is interesting in volunteering for the BTA, please contact me on 0114 250 9933 or dave@tinnitus.org.uk or visit our website www.tinnitus.org.uk/our-volunteers”

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Editors Notes

The British Tinnitus Association (BTA) is an independent charity which supports thousands of people who experience tinnitus and advises medical professionals from across the world.

The BTA is the primary source of support and information for people with tinnitus in the UK, facilitating an improved quality of life.

They aim to encourage prevention through its educational programme and to seek effective treatment for tinnitus through a medical research programme.

The support the BTA offers to 335,000 people per year who are affected by tinnitus is reliant upon the generous donations of their supporters and fundraisers. They receive no government support and need to raise half a million pounds each year to continue their UK wide support. Donations can be made via www.justgiving.com/BTA

Not an illness or disease, tinnitus is a term that describes the sensation of hearing a noise in the absence of an external sound. The noise can have virtually any quality. Ringing, whistling, and buzzing are common, but more complex sounds may also be reported. Troublesome tinnitus can be very distressing for the affected individual, and issues may arise with sleep, concentration and mood. However, in many cases, subtle changes in people's environment can address these issues, and improve quality of life.

The experienced team at the BTA understands the impact that tinnitus can have on the lives of those who experience tinnitus and those who live with them, so seeks to provide the most appropriate and expert advice and information free of charge – via a confidential freephone helpline on 0800 018 0527 and online at www.tinnitus.org.uk. The BTA can also post printed and audio information and advice.

Visit the BTA's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BritishTinnitusAssociation and follow the BTA on Twitter at www.twitter.com/BritishTinnitus

For more information

Nic Wray, Communications Manager

nic@tinnitus.org.uk / 01449 771384 / Skype:nicwray20

Emily Broomhead, Projects Manager

emily@tinnitus.org.uk / 0114 250 9933

British Tinnitus Association

Ground Floor, Unit 5 Acorn Business Park

Woodseats Close, Sheffield, S8 0TB