Meet our People - Ihona Hirving

Ihona Hirving is Operations Director for CSV Volunteering Partners. She manages ten staff delivering twelve projects targeted at children, young people and vulnerable adults across the country. She is also responsible for generating new business, developing and implementing new services and designing operational management systems and procedures and quality standards...

"As well as working for CSV, I am committed to volunteering on a personal level and have volunteered as a mentor to young offenders and as a volunteer youth worker. I have been Chair of a community health forum and Chair of a young women’s resource project. I have also been board member on a number of voluntary organisations. I have also volunteered overseas with VSO as a management advisor to an NGO based in Bangladesh.  

I applied for the job at CSV becuase I have always held a strong belief in social justice and community empowerment and have steered my career over the last twenty years to work with organisations that have an ethos that reflects this shared philosophy.

I particularly like working with people who have a shared commitment to the work and ethos of the organisation. I like the fact that CSV values and encourages the participation of everyone in decision making and their contribution to the development of services.  I also enjoy the flexible approach that CSV gives to how the work is carried out with support and understanding that this is not a 9 to 5 job."
 
CSV’s work does exactly “what it says on the tin”. Through volunteering it enables all sections of society to contribute to their community and make a difference. Individuals who receive the support of a volunteer are empowered to make changes in their lives and consequently also contribute to their community, resulting in a cycle of positive changes that benefit all.

To do my job I'd say you need good communication skills and flexibility. You need to be well organised, have a comprehensive knowledge of your subject. You need to have empathy towards others, self-awareness, patience and a good sense of humour!"