3. A Definition of volunteering… “Generally, volunteering is described as an unpaid activity where someone gives their time to help an organisation or an individual who they are not related to” Volunteering England Look here: http://bit.ly/nokSsP For other definitions. Why do they vary? 3 Lecture 1 introductions
5. “Volunteering is a fundamental part of life in the U.K. Three quarters of the population are involved in volunteering, either through an organisation or group, or on a more informal basis. They make a rich and diverse contribution to society. They are engaged in mutual aid and self help, participation, advocacy and providing services, as well as helping others. (Volunteering England 2005) 5 Lecture 1 introductions
6. Volunteering in the curriculum A form of experiential learning Part of the Government Agenda Meets community needs Provides time for reflection of the volunteering experience 6 Lecture 1 introductions
7. Application…. Linking theoretical concepts to volunteering Enables academic learning to come to life Provides a greater awareness of community needs and allows you to help/add value to an organisation – allows you to give back to the community 7 Lecture 1 introductions
8. Reflection Reflection brings theory into focus by integrating volunteering, social issues and learning goals Reflection is the key to making the connections between volunteering and learning Reflection is a core component as it allows us to assess how effective we are 8 Lecture 1 introductions
9. Volunteering plays a crucial role in the provision of social care in the U.K. and its importance cannot be overstressed. Some examples include: School Governors Youth club leaders Carers Fundraisers First Aiders Befrienders 9 Lecture 1 introductions
10. Why are these roles important? 10 Lecture 1 introductions
11. It is important to remember that the vast majority of Voluntary and Community Organisations are staffed by volunteers Volunteers operate in a diverse range of settings including working as carers for a family member or working as a volunteer in a hospital 11 Lecture 1 introductions
12. Volunteering: Free will or choice? People volunteer in response to their own values and beliefs You have a choice to volunteer but also a a choice not to volunteer. This is dependent on your personal values and belief system 12 Lecture 1 introductions
13. Skills Development Employers increasingly want students with qualities over and above a degree or higher education qualification Employers also want students who can work in organisations that are constantly changing and require good communication and interpersonal skills 13 Lecture 1 introductions
14. Policy David Cameron’s Big Society initiative has put the volunteering and community sector at the heart of the coalition Government’s flagship policy This is to strengthen volunteering structures and to raise the profile of volunteering How? ... 14 Lecture 1 introductions
15. Rhetoric “The Big Society is all about empowering local people and communities to bring about the changes they know their community needs” (Nick Hurd MP Minister for Civil Society 18th May 2010) 15 Lecture 1 introductions
16. Spending Review Major changes lie ahead Impact on how services are commissioned? Impact on third sector? Funding issues/cut backs? 16 Lecture 1 introductions
18. Our Partners YMCA Service 6 Volunteers N’ton Youth Advisory Service Age Concern Friends of Northampton General Hospital Supporting Others through Volunteer Action Guideposts Trust Oxfam 18 Lecture 1 introductions
19. Overall Aim of the Module To enable you to broaden your experiences by providing experiential learning to enhance your awareness of the Third sector To develop personal and professional skills through practical volunteering which are transferable skills for future careers To gain experience and confidence in creating your own volunteering opportunities Working in groups- self organising 19 Lecture 1 introductions
20. Two distinct aspects attached to this module: 1. It is a practical and a theoretical skills module; practical skills are acquired through a period of actual volunteering. Theoretical understanding will be gained through lectures and applied in your reflections on volunteering practice and group work. 20 Lecture 1 introductions
21. 2. It is an academic module which encourages you to gain a wider understanding of voluntary and community organisations within the Third Sector whilst gaining an in depth knowledge of the organisation in which you volunteer 21 Lecture 1 introductions
22. Learning Outcomes Knowledge & Understanding: Understand the role that volunteering has in society and the opportunities for undertaking voluntary work. Describe their role as a volunteer within a the context of a volunteering opportunity Become familiar with the University's MyPad and e-portfolio as a tool to help students record their professional and personal development 22 Lecture 1 introductions
23. Subject Specific Skills Prepare for and undertake a volunteering role within a group context, demonstrating reliability and commitment Show awareness and sensitivity to issues of race, gender and other forms of discrimination within the volunteering experience 23 Lecture 1 introductions
24. Key Skills: Be able to reflect upon the choices made when identifying the opportunity for which you wish to volunteer Through your volunteering be able to reflect on personal, professional and skills development Communicate effectively about your experiences as a volunteer. Work to promote volunteering 24 Lecture 1 introductions
25. Communication skills You will develop: Effective listening Effective participation Effective questioning Giving and receiving feedback Professional boundaries 25 Lecture 1 introductions
26. Work based learning: Choice of project to be agreed and authorised by Tim Curtis You may wish to talk to Organisations @ Volunteers Fairs on the 12th & 14th October Refer to Website 26 Lecture 1 introductions
27. TEACHING, LEARNING + ASSESSMENT 11 x 2 hour workshops 22 hours Personal Development Planning 10 hours Reflection on promoting organisation through investigation20 hours Record of Hours and Volunteering Activities 100 hours Reflective Analysis of Volunteering Experience (RAVE) 20 hours Self directed study 28 hours TOTAL 200 Hours 27 Lecture 1 introductions
28. Assessment Structure Assignment: Portfolio Based which meets 100% of all learning outcomes (2000 words) Four Components: i)Personal Development Plan ii) Reflection on promoting volunteering (500words) iii)Record of 100 Hours and Volunteering Activities iv) Reflective Analysis of Volunteering Experience (circa 1500 words) 28 Lecture 1 introductions
29. Assignment Deadlines Draft portfolio 01/02/2012 for summative feedback (i.e. help to make your final portfolio better, and therefore your grade higher!) AS 1 Portfolio 15/05/2012 29 Lecture 1 introductions
30. Points to remember All students are required to complete a Volunteer Registration Form In most cases you will require a Criminal Records Check (CRB). We will cover this in class Some organisations may wish to undertake their own check 30 Lecture 1 introductions
31. Expectation is that you complete 100 hours volunteering between Nov 2010 and May 2011. There are approximately 29 weeks during this period and assuming you have started volunteering at the beginning of Nov means on average you should be spending 3 hours a week volunteering However, as stated earlier you have a choice to volunteer ...make it work for you 31 Lecture 1 introductions
32. Nile: You will need to go on the intranet site and click on the specific section for the volunteering module. You need to sign up in order to gain access to course materials http:/nile.northampton.ac.uk 32 Lecture 1 introductions
33. Useful websites Centre for Community Volunteering: www.northampton.ac.uk/volunteers Institute of Volunteering Research: www. ivr.org.uk Northampton Volunteering Centre: www.northampton-volunteers.org.uk The national Council for Voluntary Organisations: www.ncvo-vol.org.uk 33 Lecture 1 introductions
34. What next: Complete registration Attend all programmed sessions Participate fully in discussions Read the handbooks Read other books relevant to voluneeering & the third sector Get to know your module group Learn from each other Ask questions Challenge answers 34 Lecture 1 introductions
35. Contacting me… Email: tim.curtis@northampton.ac.uk Make an appointment to see me Delapre 3 Park Campus 35 Lecture 1 introductions
36. For the next session Research one of the charities mentioned today and find out the following: What it does How does it involve volunteers Charity mission statement Charity vision 36 Lecture 1 introductions
