Venue: The Food Museum, Stowmarket, Suffolk IP14 1DL
Date: Tuesday 19 November 2024
Cost: £25 per person
Timing: Gather from 9.45 for a prompt start at 10am. With breaks for refreshments and lunch the course aims to finish around 3.
This event is sold on behalf of Revelation Countryside Training
With limited resources, countryside and heritage managers tend to have to look to volunteers to be able to augment what they can achieve in their work. However, volunteers are so much more than just another pair of hands. The act of volunteering can bring exceptional benefits to the participants as well as the benefactors of their efforts. Involving people in activities also helps build understanding and commitment to the cause bringing direct and indirect returns for many. As with most aspects of dealing with people, careful consideration of possible problems and pitfalls can make it easier to avoid them.
This course will examine the motivation of volunteers and how vital it is to align expectations between volunteers and the organisation utilising them. Through presentations, small group work, discussion and practice, participants will have a safe environment to explore and question what is good practice and gain an insight into helpful steps to take. Participants will leave with tools to help improve volunteer interaction leave with a greater confidence in their future dealings with volunteers.
Objectives
At the end of the day participants will have:
- Explored what makes someone volunteer and how this can align with the needs and aspirations of their organisation;
- Considered what your, and your organisation’s, volunteering needs are;
- Considered how to provide guidance and support for volunteers so needs are met and they remain happy and safe;
- Explored what might be needed to take a fully rounded approach to recruiting and retaining volunteers;
- Developed criteria to help review and decide when volunteering is successful;
- Practiced leading a short activity to involve volunteers bringing together elements explored.
What to bring: A notebook and pen; suitable outdoor clothing and footwear to undertake some simple practical tasks; refreshments (there is a café on site selling teas, coffees, light lunches etc.), an open mind and willingness to join in.
What will be provided: Preparatory information to help contribute to the day; indoor learning venue; toilets; a few handouts with key points and pictures of material developed on the day; enthusiasm and encouragement to take your skills to a new and higher level!
Getting there: Click here for instruction on how to find us
Tutor: Your tutor will be Simon Hooton who has had a career in countryside management that has included the BTCV, local authorities, AONB and other protected landscapes. He started his countryside work as a volunteer and is still volunteering now. He has worked with, and led volunteers, from day tasks to residentials and covered all ages from primary school children to retirees. He has been involved in running training events and giving talks throughout his career and is keen to share his experiences and raise aspirations.
