The Dorothy Parkes Centre has recently achieved the Trusted Standard Level 1 recognising the excellent work it does as a third sector organisation in Smethwick, West Midlands.

“We are delighted to achieve this accreditation. It is a very thorough process covering all aspects of our work but provides us with reassurance that the work we are doing is effective and impactful. I would like to thank our Board of Trustees, staff, volunteers and stakeholders for their hard work and commitment to our organisation and congratulate them on helping us to achieve this accreditation.” – Robert Bruce, CEO, Dorothy Parkes Centre.

The Trusted Standard is owned by the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) and delivered by The Growth Company and is the only UK quality standard designed to help third sector organisations operate more effectively and efficiently. The Dorothy Parkes Centre has been accredited with the Level 1 Trusted Standard meaning they have met the minimum legal obligations and have systems and structures in place to protect the rights of users and employees. This was determined by being assessed against the 11 quality areas of The Trusted Standard; governance, planning, leadership and management, user-centred service, managing people, learning & development, managing money, managing resources, external communications, working with others, and assessing outcomes and impact.

As a centre, we strive to provide opportunities to bring people and organisations together in a spirit of friendship and equality, enabling the local community to thrive. The Centre is 25 years old this year and has built a solid reputation for managing grants and delivering quality projects. This accreditation provides assurance for potential funders, corporate partners and stakeholders, that the organisation operates effectively and efficiently and meets all legal obligations.    

Robin Hodgkinson – Trusted Standard Practitioner explains "The Dorothy Parkes Centre is a very well-run organisation led by a strong trustee board and a charismatic CEO. The dedicated staff and volunteer team provide a safe and warm welcome to local residents in a well-equipped and comfortable community centre. The team clearly understands the needs of their local community and provides a wide range of services and activities to all ages that help to improve their health, wellbeing and community cohesion. It was very easy to award the Dorothy Parkes Centre the Level One quality mark and the centre's efficiency in preparing for the assessment made the process a very enjoyable experience"