Qualification to give recognition to local volunteers

Are you volunteering in your local community?  Ever wished that you could gain a qualification that recognises your contribution?  The New Year sees the start of a ten week course, created specifically for volunteers, that aims to develop and accredit the skills and knowledge that you need to work effectively, whatever your role.  On completion of the course, you will receive a nationally recognised qualification, the ASDAN Certificate in Community Volunteering, which will enhance your CV and acknowledge the skills and experience you bring to your organisation.

There are many benefits in doing the CCV.  These include enhancing your existing skills and learning new ones, a chance for personal development, recognition of your contribution to your organisation and a stepping stone to vocational qualifications and employment.  Previous attendees have said that one of the main benefits of the course is the way it encourages you as the volunteer to explore your involvement in your organisation, thinking about how you fit in and the role you play. 

For volunteer-involving organisations, making the CCV available to your volunteers will not only enable you to acknowledge their hard work, but will also help with the recruitment and retention of volunteers, as accredited training is an incentive to both potential and existing volunteers.  In addition, your organisation will ultimately experience an improved service by enabling your volunteers to become more effective and skilled in their tasks. 

The course is divided into five units, four of which need to be completed for the full award.  These comprise Preparing to Volunteer, Skills for Self Management, Dealing with Meetings, Working to Good Practice Standards and Understanding Needs, Issues and Responses.  The units can also be completed and accredited individually, making it ideal for volunteers who need some flexibility in their training.  The complete ASDAN course costs £20, £10 of which is refunded on successful completion of four out of the five units.

If you are interested in finding out more, there is a 2 hour introductory session at 10.00am on Friday 8th December 2006 at Kingsland Community College, Parkside Drive, Houghton Regis.  Attendance at this session does not commit you to signing up to the course, but will explain in more detail the units of the course and give you an idea of what the certificate involves.   

If you cannot make the introductory session, you are more than welcome to call and book your place on the course, which starts on Thursday 11th January 2007, also at Kingsland Community College.  To find out whether this course would be suitable for you, or your volunteers, please contact Valerie Murray, Training Officer at Voluntary and Community Action for further information on 0141 416 0753 or email valerie@action-southbeds.org.uk   

The CCV is open to all regardless of age, background or qualifications.  If you are not currently volunteering, but are interested in local opportunities and gaining a nationally recognised qualification, you can still complete the course but it is important to sign up as soon as possible in order for a volunteer placement to be organised.

About ASDAN
ASDAN is a pioneering curriculum development organisation and an internationally recognised awarding body, which offers a wide range of curriculum programme and qualifications for all abilities.  

ASDAN programmes and qualifications blend activity-based curriculum enrichment with a framework for the development, assessment and accreditation of key skills and other personal and social skills, with emphasis on negotiation, co-operation and rewarding achievement.