Creation of a system of development of volunteers coming from disadvantaged socio-economic background, specifically from Roma communities

Background The aim of the project was to create a missing training and development programme for volunteers from socially disadvantaged backgrounds. YMCA Revúca and YMCA Prague are one of the few organisations in their countries that are dedicated to long-term volunteering for volunteers from socially disadvantaged backgrounds or generational poverty. In Slovakia and the Czech Republic, there are several programmes aimed at training and developing volunteers. However, these programmes do not address the specificities of volunteers from socially disadvantaged backgrounds, they are aimed at volunteers from the majority society. The task of the project, together with the Volunteer Centre, was to find a way of development and training of volunteers that would take into account the specificities of the target group. The information, documents and experiences gathered were summarised in the document Guide to working with volunteers from specific backgrounds. A workbook "Open Me" was created as a support, development material for volunteers. Experiences and lessons learnt during the training of volunteers are summarised in the 'Evaluation of the benefits of typical training for volunteers from socially disadvantaged backgrounds'. Objectives The main objective of the project was to find a way to ensure quality development and training of volunteers from disadvantaged backgrounds. To create a programme that would help volunteers to gain support in the field of personal development, to develop competences related to working with children and young people, to experience a sense of achievement, to find their strengths and to learn how to work with them. The implemented activities were gradually modified to take into account the needs and specificities of the volunteers. All the procedures, the course of activities, the feedback received were consulted together with the partner organisations, which also formed the expert team. The experience, knowledge and recommendations we have gained during the project can be passed on to other organisations working with volunteers. Implementation The following activities: Regular mentoring for volunteers The target group was volunteers from disadvantaged backgrounds or generational poverty who need even more intensive and systematic support than volunteers from majority backgrounds. The mentor position was crucial for gaining information, feedback and real insight into the needs of the volunteers, which was then translated into the implementation of the activities. Training of volunteers The project provided 4 physical trainings for volunteers. These trainings were gradually modified depending on the needs and feedback received from the volunteers. The training focused on the development of the competences assessed by the volunteers as necessary for the implementation of the activities and the proper functioning of the volunteer team. Transnational meetings The main objective of the transnational meetings was the evaluation of the activities carried out, planning, preparation and implementation of the planned activities. Creating intellectual outputs Intellectual outputs are documents that serve as support materials for organisations working with volunteers, working materials for volunteers, and evaluation of the training that reflects its progress. Achievements The main outputs of the project were documents reflecting the project process and supporting training materials for volunteers. Evaluation of the benefits of typical training for socially disadvantaged volunteers This document reflects the progress of the training activities carried out for the volunteers.The document describes the target group and the baseline situation.It reflects on the process of implementing the training activities,the identified specificities of the group and needs,focusing on the identified barriers during the implementation of the training. Guide to the development of volunteers from specific backgrounds This document is primarily aimed at organisations working with volunteers.It describes basic volunteer management, a description of volunteers from specific backgrounds,the specificities of working with this group of volunteers and management. The "Open Me" exercise book This is a training material for volunteers.Its aim is to help volunteers to develop their competence profile,personal development.The workbook is a support material focusing on the competences of communication,cooperation, conflict resolution, feedback and the preparation and implementation of activities for children and young people.