People Matter IW and The Independent Living Centre have retained their internationally recognised ISO 9001 accreditation.
ISO 9001 sets out the criteria for a quality management system and can be used by any organisation, large or small, regardless of its field of activity. In fact, there are over 1million companies and organisations, in over 170 countries, certified to ISO 9001 meaning it is a globally recognised standard.
This standard is based on a number of quality management principles including a strong customer focus, the motivation and implication of top management, the process approach and continual improvement. Using ISO 9001: 2008 helps ensure that customers get consistent, good quality products and services, which in turn brings many business benefits.
The Board of Directors of People Matter IW made the decision to work towards certification through the ISO 9001 standard when the organisation was originally formed in 2011. Since then, People Matter IW have worked very hard on their quality assurance and management systems, within The Independent Living Centre. This involved both volunteers and all the staff in refining many processes. On 27th November 2015 People Matter IW and The Independent Living Centre attained certification as an ISO 9001 recognised charity and company.
Now, that accreditation has been retained following a surveillance audit – an external, annual review – on 10th November 2016. The objectives of the Audit were fully achieved meaning that ISO 9001:2008 Certification has been granted for the next 12 months. This award is another recognition of the dedication and the professionalism demonstrated by the Directors, Management, staff and volunteers and gaining the award marked a coming of age for People Matter IW as an organisation. Retaining the Certification hails another step forward for People Matter IW.
People Matter IW Manager, Terri Baker said:
“ISO 9001 provides an excellent structure for People Matter IW to constantly review all of our processes, policies and procedures and also take in to account feedback received from the many visitors to The Independent Living Centre. Our aim always is to enhance, improve and maintain the quality of the experience for visitors and to meet the increasing needs of Island residents as well as we possibly can well into the future”.
Since August 2015 People Matter IW has been audited on 3 separate occasions. During these processes the external auditor noted “It was evident throughout that the Directors, Management and team are committed to delivering a quality service to all who make contact with them. The systems in place were found to be very effective”.
People Matter IW Director, John Roberts said:
“People Matter IW and The Independent Living Centre are again, very pleasingly, an ISO 9001 approved and accredited charity and company. ISO 9001 is one of the world’s best management systems and is only awarded to organisations who consistently provide products and services to meet the needs of their customers. We will continue to strive to be a highly professional organisation aiming to be one of the best small charities in the country”.
