Tag: Volunteer Edinburgh

Volunteer Edinburgh: Core Skills in Volunteer Management course now available online

Volunteer Edinburgh’s popular Core Skills in Volunteer Management course is now fully accessible to you and we are pleased to say that we are now able to offer it online. 

Delivered over four weeks using a mixture of self-study, online forum-based discussions and Zoom, our online CSVM gives you a fantastic professional development opportunity in a totally flexible way.

CSVM 1: Involvement and Recruitment

  • Week 1: Involvement (from Monday 13 until Friday 17 September)
  • Week 2: Recruitment (from Monday 20 until Friday 24 September)

CSVM 2: Support, Supervision and Training

  • Week 1: Support and supervision (from Monday 4 until Friday 8 October)
  • Week 2: Training (from Monday 11 to Friday 15 October)

Flexible Learning

Each week will require approximately 3.5 hours of study time, most of which can be done flexibly to suit you, but you are required to attend a weekly Zoom session on Friday. You can participate in the course at any time between Monday and Friday.

What does the course cover?

CSVM 1: Involvement and Recruitment

  • Benefits of working with volunteers;
  • Motivations, expectations, needs;
  • Formal structures: volunteer policy, volunteer agreements, role descriptions;
  • Recruitment strategy and methods; and
  • Selection.

CSVM 2: Support, Supervision and Training

  • Support and supervision;
  • Challenges that can arise when you manage volunteers;
  • Practical preventions and solutions;
  • Learning needs assessment;
  • Training methodologies; and
  • Learning plan design.

What is the methodology?
The course consists of several activities including self-study (reading) and forum discussions all of which can be done at your own pace on the Volunteer Edinburgh Academy.

There is also a weekly 1.5 hour, facilitated Zoom session each Friday to enable you to connect with other learners, reflect on your practice and learning, and share discussions.

You will be able to select a time slot for the Zoom session that suits you best (9.30am, 11.30am or 2pm); we will have a maximum of six participants in each slot.

The estimated time required for each week:

  • Reading and interactive presentations: 0.5h (Volunteer Edinburgh Academy)
  • Forum discussion participation and activities: 1.5h (Volunteer Edinburgh Academy)
  • Discussion: 1.5h (Zoom)

What do participants say?

Overall, what do you think about the training? 

  • I might choose this format of course in future, in preference to classroom-based learning as I enjoyed taking the sessions at my own pace, and being able to reflect on the materials as the week went along. I don’t think I would have got as much out of 3.5 hours in the classroom.  
  • I was incredibly impressed by Javier’s enthusiasm during the zoom, and in forum talks and any email communication. The content he has prepared was well thought out, varied, detailed and nuanced. There is plenty of extra material to dig into too! 
  • I thought the materials were relevant and comprehensive, the design of the online course very accessible. I felt that Javier was there from Day 1 really supporting my learning 

Would you recommend this course? 

  • Yes definitely. It was comprehensive, a good mix of different mediums of learning (reading, activities, peer-to-peer, discussions) 
  • Definitely! I would say if you’re new to supervising volunteers then this is a very informative and supportive course. 
  • Yes definitely. It seems to cover everything we need to know and it makes you think, it’s not all spoon-fed 
  • I would recommend the training to anyone intending to work with volunteers, and wanting to prepare themselves. 
  • Yes. I think it covers a lot of ground and can be accessed by a wide variety of people and organisations. 
  • Yes If you are looking to start a volunteer service its a great foundation of providing the best involvement and recruitment process for volunteers

If you would like to participate you can book it on our website.

If you have any questions please contact training@volunteeredinburgh.org.uk.

Javier Tejera

Learning and Quality Officer, Volunteer Edinburgh

Edinburgh’s Inspiring Volunteer Awards ceremony date announced

We are delighted to announce that Edinburgh’s Inspiring Volunteer Awards ceremony will take place on Wednesday 1st September 2021.

Now in its fifteenth year, Edinburgh’s Inspiring Volunteer Awards reflect the exceptional range of organisations and individuals working in the city’s vibrant charity and non-profit sectors.

A wide age range was represented and awardees came from across the broad spectrum of cultures that make up our ever more diverse city.

This event is by invitation only, with numbers being limited of who can attend.

We have published all details of this event and announced winners in all special categories on our website.

Please visit our website by clicking on the link here.

If you would like to post about the awards on social media please use the hashtag #iva2021.

We also have another event on 22nd September. This is our Volunteer Recruitment Fair and details can be found by clicking on the link here.

Jason McCann

Events & Volunteer Coordinator, Volunteer Edinburgh

It’s time to Re-open/Re-mobilise

Join EVOC for a session focused on how to re-open / re-mobilise your organisation, projects and activities safely.

About this event

Aimed at organisations and managers who are making plans to re-open / re-mobilise, this event will focus on a selection of issues including community transport, workforce and volunteers.

1. National overview: Ian Brooke (Deputy Chief Executive, EVOC)

2. Volunteers: Marion Findlay (Director of Services, Volunteer Edinburgh)

3. Re-opening Guidelines: Angela Davis (Environmental Health Officer, City of Edinburgh Council)

4. WHALE Arts Re-opening Experiences: Laura Delahunt (Enterprise and Facilities Manager, WHALE Arts)

5. Panel Q&A

Breakout group discussions:

  • Buildings
  • Volunteers/workforce
  • Transport
  • Organising Group work
  • Guidance/paperwork/risk assessment discussion

Please note that this event is now taking place on Microsoft Teams.

EVENT LINK

Registration for this event closes on Tue 17 Aug at 6pm.

You will receive an email through Eventbrite by 9am on Wed 18 Aug that includes the Teams link for this event.

If you don’t receive an email please check your email junk folder or get in touch with us: esther.currie@evoc.org.uk

Lateral Flow Testing Kits available at Volunteer Edinburgh

Now that Covid-19 restrictions are easing, you may be thinking about re-starting services and face-to-face volunteering activities.  Lateral Flow Devices (LFDs) are one of the measures you can put in place to help you resume services safely and with confidence (writes Volunteer Edinburgh Chief Officer PAUL WILSON).

Volunteer Edinburgh is a “distribution centre” for LFDs for small or local voluntary organisations or community groups. 

If you would like some testing kits to distribute to your staff, volunteers or service users  these are available for collection from the Volunteer Edinburgh office at 222 Leith Walk  between 10am and 4pm, Monday to Friday. 

While we are not operating an appointment system for collection it would be much appreciated if you could call us on 0131 225 0630 to let us know roughly what time you will be coming: as we only have limited staff in the office this will ensure that someone is available to help you when you arrive.

For information on how to use the LFDs please see the Scottish Government guidance HERE and for information on testing, vaccinations and self-isolation support please click HERE. 

 

Paul J WilsonChief Officer

Book a stall at September’s Volunteer Recruitment Fair

Looking for volunteers? Why not book a stall at our Volunteer Recruitment Fair?

The largest of its kind in Scotland, our annual fair is a fantastic opportunity to meet face to face with hundreds of potential volunteers from across the city. The fair will also feature access to volunteering and employment specialists and a friendly café to relax and refresh in.

“Great event, environment, and lay-out. Great Opportunity to not only meet potential volunteers but network. This is not common. Thanks.”

When? Wednesday 22 September 2021 from 11.00am until 7.00pm.

Where? St Paul’s and St George’s Church on York Place. Click here to view this venue on a map.

What does is cost? The event is free to visitors. Bookings for stallholders are charged and we have a number of payment options available. You can find out more and book here or by clicking on the purple button below.

The Fair will showcase the wide range of ways that people can get involved in volunteering with organisations big and small, local and national, who serve a diverse range of communities and causes all coming together with the common aim to attract new volunteers.

“Really impressed with how many people attended today, we had to replenish our information packs as we underestimated the demand. I would definitely come again as it was very worthwhile.”

Entry is free to the public, and more than a thousand potential volunteers are expected to visit and experience the diverse range of ways they can become involved. So what are you waiting for? Book now before you miss out!

If you have any questions about booking a stall or being a stallholder please contact Jason McCann from our events team at events@volunteeredinburgh.org.uk.

Additional resources for stallholders including an FAQ, an exhibitors guide, a stallholder map, a venue risk assessment, and promotional material will be made available on our website as soon as they are ready.

 book your stall now

Survey: Volunteering and the Third Sector Response to COVID-19

The Scottish Government are undertaking a huge piece of research into the response of Volunteering and Third Sector Organisations to the Covid-19 pandemic.

They are very keen to hear from volunteer involving organisations on their experience of volunteer involvement, good and bad, over the period of the pandemic. In order to build as clear a picture as possible it is important that as many organisations in Edinburgh as possible respond.

The deadline has now been extended to Tuesday 1 June.

This survey aims to gather information about:

  • How volunteering has contributed to the Third Sector response to the pandemic;
  • The challenges that the sector has faced in continuing to support volunteering during this time; and
  • Organisational perspectives on what is needed to support volunteering during the recovery period and beyond.

To begin the survey click here

Nominations open for Edinburgh’s Inspiring Volunteer Awards

Last year, for obvious reasons and to our great disappointment, we were not able to host our annual Inspiring Volunteer Awards.

However, we are delighted to announce that this year we have planned a date of Wednesday 28th July for our ceremony to take place.

This event is normally held during Volunteers’ Week (1 to 7 June), however to maximise the chances of it being a live, in-person event, we have delayed it this year.

Plans for the evening are subject to any changes to restrictions imposed as a result of the pandemic.

We are now opening nominations for 2021 and you can find more details on our dedicated webpage here: voled.in/nominations

Organisations can nominate by completing our online nomination form and are able to nominate up to three individual volunteers, one team of volunteers, up to three nominations for the Ian McInnes Award, and one nomination for the new Paul Bennett Volunteer Manager of the Year Award.

Please note that nominations close on Friday 4 June 2021.

Please share using the short url voled.in/nominations and help us to celebrate Edinburgh’s volunteers!

#VolunteersWeekScot

#LoveEdinburghLoveVolunteering

Jason McCann,

Events Coordinator, Volunteer Edinburgh

Volunteer Edinburgh offers free MAP course for women

Volunteer Edinburgh are running a women only MAP (Motivation, Aspirations & Progression) programme adapted from our employability course, focusing on skills, confidence & wellbeing.

It will be a blended Zoom course in small groups over 4 weeks, from 28th April. For more information: Christine.Meldrum@volunteeredinburgh.org.uk.

Looking to get into work?

Changing career?

Returning to work after a break?

Struggling to sustain existing work?

We have adapted our bespoke Employability MAP (Motivation, Aspirations, Progression) course, which is now a free blended online course which will run over four weeks.

You will have access to an online portal where you can work at your own pace, and there will be online exercises and weekly meetings in small groups of a maximum of four via Zoom™.

In the fourth week we will meet at an outdoor location and transport and refreshments will be provided.

There will be a choice of times that you can book, and you will meet with other participants and the facilitators to discuss and share.

Topics will include

  • What I’ve got going for me (assessing your skills)
  • New directions and transferrable skills
  • Confidence and Mindful Wellbeing
  • Volunteering, resilience and questions and answer session

Post course options

  • Individual one-to-one employability coaching
  • CV workshop
  • Help to secure volunteering and/or employment

If you can identify with or are curious about any of this and would like to find out more about the course or the facilitator, please contact Christine Meldrum by email at christine.meldrum@volunteeredinburgh.org.uk or alternatively you can call or text on 0131 561 8322 or 07505 446 024 for more information.

Wellbeing Fund is open for bids

Third sector organisations across Scotland are being encouraged to apply for emergency funding to help cope with the effects of coronavirus (COVID-19).

More than 2000 charities, community and voluntary groups, and social enterprises are being offered immediate financial support from the £50 million Wellbeing Fund, which has been established to assist third sector organisations working with people impacted by the pandemic.

Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell announced yesterday that organisations will also be able to submit an expression of interest to access financial support through the website of the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO).

Ms Campbell said: “Last month, I announced a £350 million package of emergency funding for a wide range of organisations, as communities across Scotland are already adapting their services to ensure they are providing vital support to people who are worst affected by COVID-19.

“This £50 million funding will help to continue that work as well as supporting new services to get people through these difficult times.”

Anna Fowlie, Chief Executive of SCVO, said: “The Wellbeing Fund has already seen much-needed money get to the frontline. Today it is being opened up to an even broader range of voluntary organisations.

The voluntary sector has stepped up in communities across Scotland to provide vital support to people who really need it and it’s great to see the Scottish Government recognise that.

“Scotland has been ahead of the game in understanding the vital role that charities and community groups play in dealing with the impact of Cornonavirus and at SCVO we are pleased to be playing our part.”

Any organisation wishing to submit an expression of interest can do so through the Coronavirus Third Sector Information Hub on the SCVO website here.

The £50 million Wellbeing Fund is part of a £350 million package announced by the Scottish Government to support those most affected by the pandemic, and enable a swift response according to local need.

Of this, £10 million has been allocated for immediate priorities and £7 million committed to support around 2000 charities through small grants.

This leaves £33 million of the Wellbeing Fund now open to bids from third sector organisations.

The Scottish Government is working with Corra, Inspiring Scotland, the STV Appeal and SCVO to allocate the funding.

They will be assisted by Scotland’s network of Third Sector Interfaces (TSIs) – business gateways which provide a single point of contact and support for charities and social enterprises, with an active presence in every local authority in Scotland.

Three organisations make Up Edinburgh’s Third Sector Interface. They are EVOC (Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations Council), Volunteer Edinburgh and Edinburgh Social Enterprise.

Inspiring Volunteer Awards POSTPONED

Inspiring Volunteer Awards have been postponed!

I’m sure this will come as no surprise but due to the current and ever changing situation, we have decided to postpone this year’s ceremony that was planned for Wednesday 3 June. No decision has been made for a future date as yet, but rest assured that we will communicate this when it happens.

We have subsequently re-opened nominations and as yet we don’t have a deadline, so get nominating! If you have already submitted your nominations, thank you. These will be retained and you will have the option to either use these or submit a new one.

Thanks again for your support in recognising the fantastic achievements of our amazing volunteers in Edinburgh. I’m sure you will agree that they will continue to be a vital part of our success now and going forward.

To nominate and for more information please visit voled.in/nominations
or contact me via email for any additional queries at events@volunteeredinburgh.org.uk

Jason McCann

Events Coordinator