Youth Volunteering
Practical Information for organisationInvolving Young Volunteers in the Highlands Guide
What Volunteering Can Do For You1. Personal growth - OK, I can hear your groans, but seriously this is important. It’s a scary place out there and we all need to gain confidence and increase our self esteem and self worth, volunteering can provide the support which will enable you to develop these skills. 2. Work experience - Anything you can do to improve your odds of getting a job can only help. Volunteering can provide an alternative pathway into paid employment. It offers you a chance to acquire many of the ‘soft skills’ employers value, by this I mean team working, problem solving and developing initiative amongst others. How many times do we see ‘must have experience’ in the recruitment pages of papers? Well look no further, volunteering can provide you with that experience. 3. Make friends - Making friends is fun but can also be beneficial to your future. In today’s employment market it is important to learn how to network, many of the contacts you may make during your volunteering experiences can be very important when it comes to finding employment. 4. Looks good on your CV - Volunteer work could be the one thing that makes your CV stand out from all the others. 5. Receive references – It’s good to have referees who can offer statements not only about your character but how you can perform within a work environment. Is this enough reason? No? Well I’ll give you one more… Its FUN and above all its one of the biggest highs you’ll ever get in life which is not only legal but very good for your health. Frequently Asked Questions Q. Will I get paid?No. It wouldn’t be volunteering if you did. You shouldn’t be out of pocket either as expenses incurred should be reimbursed. Q. How much time do I give? As much or as little as you want. Volunteering can be flexible. You needn’t change your lifestyle to fit in volunteering, volunteering can be adjusted to fit in with yours, leaving lots of time for your social activities. Q. Don’t you need special skills? I don’t think I have any. Yes you have, you’re young, that means you have energy and vitality qualities that every organisation or employer recognises and needs. As for other skills, volunteering provides you with an opportunity to discover them. Q. What opportunities are there? In the Highlands you can experience various opportunities including working with children, animals, the environment, driving, education, support/counselling, fundraising, clerical work, retail and sport. Q. Who decides what opportunity I choose? You do, you’re in charge and you decide. Q. How do I get started? This one is easy to answer, contact Volunteering Highland or if you fancy something different why not become involved with the Millennium Volunteer Awards, Youth Achievement Awards, Project Scotland, or the Duke of Edinburgh Awards. Millennium Volunteer Awards
Volunteer Registration Form MV
Youth Achievement AwardsThese awards are open to young people over 14 yrs old. There are four levels: Bronze - young people take part Silver - young people assist Gold - young people organise Platinum - young people undertake training and lead programs  As a group, or individually, young people identify 15-hour ‘challenges’ through volunteering experiences. These are then planned, evidenced and reviewed in their awards booklet which is available through local Volunteering Centres. Once young people have completed a peer assessment they are then awarded their nationally accredited certificate. Interested? Contact us now at your local Volunteer Centre.Duke of Edinburgh AwardsThis award centres around personal and social development. Its value can be found within personal commitment, the learning process and the quality of the experience. This is made more appealing by the fact that young people themselves choose their own program around their interests, personal circumstances and local provision. In other words, you could say its ’tailor made’ to an individual young person’s starting point, interests and abilities. There are three levels
The great thing here is its flexibility, you can enter at any level and can have until your 25th birthday to complete it. All you have to do is choose activities in four different sections (5 if it’s the gold): 1. Service (helping people in the community) 2. Skills (covers most hobbies, skills and interests) 3. Physical Recreation (sport, dance and fitness) 4. Expeditions (training for, planning, completing a journey on foot, horseback, boat or cycle) 5. Residential Project (Gold only) a purposeful enterprise with people not previously know to participants Before you start your activity you set your own goals, you achieve your award if you aim for them and show improvement. Interested? If so, get in touch… Youth Development Worker: Helen MacLean Youth Volunteering Volunteering Highland 1A Millburn Road Inverness IV2 3PX Tel: 01463 711393 (Ext. 30) Email: ydw@volunteeringhighland.org Links
MV Volunteering Passport www.mvvolunteeringpassport.org.uk |
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Are you aged between 16 - 25?