V 4 All training workshops

The structure of these workshops was also based on the CIPD certificate programme, but the content was tailored to explore the issue of diversifying volunteering in more depth.

Six one-day workshops have been designed and each one was delivered in three venues around the country in 2008. In total these workshops were attended by 370 delegates.

Topics that were covered are outlined below.

Supporting culture change to engage volunteers

This training session provided the opportunity for delegates working in health to gain a clear understanding of the changing nature of volunteering and implications of failing to manage and embrace change effectively. This workshop highlighted strategies to manage change, and identify which may be most appropriate in their circumstances.

Guest speaker: Nicci Dickins - Managing Director, Make it Happen Consultancy Ltd.

Supporting and engaging disabled volunteers

This training session provided the opportunity to identify how organisations can engage and include disabled volunteers. This workshop explored all the different barriers or perceived barriers to inclusive volunteering faced by both disabled people and organisations.

Guest speaker: Becki Cullen - Inclusive Volunteer Coordinator, Scope.

Supporting volunteers from diverse communities

This training sessionl provided the opportunity to identify the need for reaching out to diverse communities. This workshop explored all the different barriers or perceived barriers to inclusive volunteering. It also presented some possible solutions to identifying engagement with people from diverse communities that could benefit volunteering programmes.

Guest speaker: Emma Foxall - Volunteering Development Coordinator, The Consortium of LGBT Voluntary and Community Organisations.

Supporting volunteers with mental health needs

This training session provided the opportunity to identify which strategies that focus on engaging volunteers with mental health needs were likely to be applicable to their own situation. Possible solutions to barriers amongst existing volunteers to working with volunteers with mental health needs were be key areas for discussion.

Guest speaker: Janet Lloyd - Chief Executive, NAVSM.

Working with younger people

This training session provided the opportunity to identify the benefits that organisations can gain by engaging younger people as volunteers. It looked at the roles younger people perform and also allowed delegates to feel confident in applying the principles of engaging younger volunteers in their volunteering programmes.

Guest speaker: Steve Procter - Centre Manager, 4 Youth.

An introduction to risk

This training session provided the opportunity to identify the key areas of risk management and risk assessment in health and social care volunteering. Also considered the application of principles to volunteering locally and how to develop appropriate strategies to proactively minimise risk.

Guest speaker: Andy Andrews MA FHRIM - Medico-Legal Group Health Services Legal Advisor.

See below for the workshop evaluations