Get Ready to Volunteer is a course designed to give people the knowledge, confidence, and contacts to get involved in volunteering.
VAO recently ran the course in partnership with OIC’s Community Learning Development and Employability team over 5 weeks. At the sessions participants:
- learn about the different ways in which volunteering benefits themselves and the community
- explore different ways in which they can volunteer
- look into what volunteering opportunities were available in Orkney
- meet representatives and volunteers from local charities and organisations
During the last week, participants can choose to take part in a group volunteering activity. For example, our recent group went to The Yard Plant Nursery to help with turning over of flowerbeds and repotting seedlings.
Get Ready to Volunteer benefits charities and people looking to volunteer alike. Local charities are invited to come and speak at the course. Clan and Employability Orkney, as well as the St Magnus Festival have all joined us at past sessions. Meeting these organisations encourages those attending to make the connections that give them the confidence they need to begin volunteering.
Following the success of previous Get Ready to Volunteer courses, plans are being made for the next one. It will start in September so keep an eye out for more information nearer the time.
One Get Ready to Volunteer participant said:
I got to take part in something where I felt welcome and contribution didn’t feel difficult. I’m not as nervous as I thought I’d be.
Another said:
A relaxed and friendly environment has helped me feel more confident to look at starting the process.
And another said:
I enjoyed learning about the perks of volunteering.
