The Matrix Standard at Manor Farm!

Manor Farm are delighted to announce they have been awarded the Matrix standard – a unique quality standard kitemark for organisations to assess and measure their advice and support services. This has been formally recognised as being ‘outstanding’ - ensuring that we give the ultimate support to individuals in their choice of career, learning, work, life goals and service to the community.

The intensive assessment process involved a national assessor spending 3 days at our community centre in Walsall and our satellite site in Springfield, Rushall to hear from staff, volunteers, learners and Silver Scheme service users alike. Everyone welcomed the opportunity to discuss their views on the varied activities and services on offer and feedback from the assessor confirmed that Manor Farm truly makes the grade.

Our assessor said, ‘I have really enjoyed every minute of my 3 days here at Manor Farm. Like service users, I felt at home right from the beginning and have no hesitation in confirming you really do meet the high standards set through the Matrix Standard!’

Achieving the Matrix accolade is a positive and rewarding endorsement for the hard work, dedication and passion shown by the tutors, volunteers and community staff, and of course, the learners and older people we support through the BIG Lottery funded Silver Scheme.

Chief Executive Gary Bird said, ‘this feedback makes us all so very proud to be recognised for the high quality information, advice and guidance we offer that helps the people of Walsall succeed in every area of their journey through life.’

But our learning journey doesn’t stop with this wonderful award. Our commitment to provide the very best programme we can offer will be maintained and the Matrix Standard will only help with that process as part of our commitment to quality improvement. The importance of receiving feedback on areas of strengths and areas for improvement will re-assure the many staff and volunteers that they are on the right Matrix journey.

Charity Manager Sue Evans was responsible for ensuring the rigorous process of quality information, advice and guidance went really smoothly and was delighted with the news we had achieved success, ‘This prestigious award is absolutely fantastic news! Our assessor really captured from her interviews how as an organisation, our learners and clients are at the centre of all that we do. She said that it was abundantly clear that we will do everything we possibly can to support them throughout their journey with us and beyond.'

As an organisation, she felt that we are a ‘leader’ in the voluntary and community sector which was indicated through our learners and partnership interviews and that we are all ‘passionate and dedicated’ to our aims. She simply loved the whole ethos of the organisation.

This is an amazing achievement! Thank you all for what has been a great team effort!'

Manor Farm Community Association would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their contribution to this success and making our own journey through Matrix so enjoyable!

For more information on the services offered at Manor Farm Community Association, please telephone n01922 614316 or search www.manorfarmca.com