Volunteer Passport

1. Volunteer Passport by Anita Prosser & Martin Lockett BTCV

2. What is BTCV? Independent NGO Helps people connect with, improve and benefit from their environment Our Vision �A better environment where people are valued, included and involved� Is an NGO or charity Makes the connection between environment and people Environment is the medium Established in 1959 Is an NGO or charity Makes the connection between environment and people Environment is the medium Established in 1959

3. Size & Scope of BTCV 240,000 volunteers 2225 community groups 134 offices throughout UK Over 20 other countries 720 staff 300 key volunteers �26m income Majority of our work is in the UKMajority of our work is in the UK

4. BTCV Works! Connecting people with place Building healthy and sustainable communities Increasing people�s life skills Getting involved � Helps give people a sense of place Involves people who would not normally get involved in environment or volunteering Environment is good at breaking down barriers Work carried out not only improves local environment but individuals well being and health In the process people gain practical and life skills Gives some people a sense of purpose This project came about when some colleagues were looking at youth volunteering and progression on types of experience and giving recognition of the process and learningHelps give people a sense of place Involves people who would not normally get involved in environment or volunteering Environment is good at breaking down barriers Work carried out not only improves local environment but individuals well being and health In the process people gain practical and life skills Gives some people a sense of purpose This project came about when some colleagues were looking at youth volunteering and progression on types of experience and giving recognition of the process and learning

5. Volunteer Passport Purpose For volunteers to record their experience and learning Link that learning to accreditation opportunities Help structure learning plans and give volunteers more knowledge of opportunities within BTCV

6. Form and function Current expectations - Framework on a flash memory stick The front end is funky and graphical The volunteer can upload onto the stick their record of experience. The volunteer can identify links to accreditation from tools within the framework Form � Final form is undecided as yet but Framework loaded onto USB memory stick � belongs to indiv vol. (backed up on a central server) the front end is funky and graphical, attractive and user friendly Vol can upload onto the stick records of experience in any number of ways - videos, photos from cameras, meeting minutes, etc Vol and manager can identify links to accred from tools within the framework - Form � Final form is undecided as yet but Framework loaded onto USB memory stick � belongs to indiv vol. (backed up on a central server) the front end is funky and graphical, attractive and user friendly Vol can upload onto the stick records of experience in any number of ways - videos, photos from cameras, meeting minutes, etc Vol and manager can identify links to accred from tools within the framework -

7. Examples Fliss organised and lead a project for young people with learning difficulties.

8. Evidence Risk Assessment & Safety plan Training Handouts Photographs Film Newsletter article I�ve chosen this one because it generated a lot of different evidence types The Passport is in a skeletal format at the moment - what I show you is the mechanics only - not the finished product (Cut to my worked example from the VP) show the evidence linked to competenciesI�ve chosen this one because it generated a lot of different evidence types The Passport is in a skeletal format at the moment - what I show you is the mechanics only - not the finished product (Cut to my worked example from the VP) show the evidence linked to competencies

9. Links to Accreditation Fliss�s work here links to elements of ILM Certificate in team leading NVQ Environmental Conservation NVQ Volunteer Management Defining the competence areas (and this may be a never - ending task) and linking these to NQF quals, modules and units is an enormous challenge - It�s a part of the work in progress.Defining the competence areas (and this may be a never - ending task) and linking these to NQF quals, modules and units is an enormous challenge - It�s a part of the work in progress.

10. Environments for Learning The aim of the project is to research, develop and exchange experiences of validating informal learning in the environmental sector to produce a common European wide framework, methodology and process to achieve this. Martin has talked about the development of the actual passport. I would like to talk about putting this into a European context. BTCVwas successful in gaining leonardo funding to develop a validation system that recognises the learning achieved through environmental volunteeringMartin has talked about the development of the actual passport. I would like to talk about putting this into a European context. BTCVwas successful in gaining leonardo funding to develop a validation system that recognises the learning achieved through environmental volunteering

11. Partners ELF - Estonia Holar College - Iceland UST- Iceland Conservation Volunteers - Greece Dimiitra - Greece Green Balkans - Bulgaria Partners are either environmetal organisations, colleges ot training organisations We are 8 months into the projectPartners are either environmetal organisations, colleges ot training organisations We are 8 months into the project

12. Steps of the project Research existing practice and identify good practice Needs Analysis of organisations in the network for recognition, validation. Produce framework on approach Identification of 5 key areas of learning to develop process Testing product Sharing with others and training to utilise the approach As this isa 2 year project wehave tre to make things simple with a 5 step process of: Reviewing existing practice Analysis of needs Developing the product Testing Sharing with others The idea was to develop a framework and fully developing and testing it in 5 subject areas. This would give all partners the capability to develop other areas after the projectAs this isa 2 year project wehave tre to make things simple with a 5 step process of: Reviewing existing practice Analysis of needs Developing the product Testing Sharing with others The idea was to develop a framework and fully developing and testing it in 5 subject areas. This would give all partners the capability to develop other areas after the project

13. Learning areas Leadership Project Planning/Management Introduction to Nature Management Trail Management Volunteering/Community Learning/Citizenship Training Trainers (included because it could grow from an existing BTCV course) 6 areas have been identified to develop by he partners to meet the needs of their target audience The areas reflect the broad range of skills environmetal volunteering covers The process for developing the practical skills framework will be quite sinmilar once the trail management has been done6 areas have been identified to develop by he partners to meet the needs of their target audience The areas reflect the broad range of skills environmetal volunteering covers The process for developing the practical skills framework will be quite sinmilar once the trail management has been done

14. Framework for each Learning Area Learning goals Learning outcomes Assessment criteria Assessment methodology Validation methods Within each learning area the following framework will be developed Some of thiis is achevied through practical work and others through training both participative and more formalWithin each learning area the following framework will be developed Some of thiis is achevied through practical work and others through training both participative and more formal

15. Example Project Planning Project Planning is covered in the Leader�s Training course by a mixture of lecture, discussion a group planning exercise. I will use another example from leadership of project planningI will use another example from leadership of project planning

16. Example cont... Group Planning exercise Groups have appointed leaders and have to put a set of action cards into order by negotiation. They then compare results with other groups and defend their decisions. This gives tutors the opportunity to observe contributions and assess competencies. Knowledge is assessed by a written examination.

17. Example cont..� We are trying to put this in the context of the European Qualifications framework Each partner will work with accrediting body in their countryWe are trying to put this in the context of the European Qualifications framework Each partner will work with accrediting body in their country

18. European Volunteer Passport Once this common framework is established the volunteers will record their experience in the volunteer passport For the volunteers the recording process will use the passport being developed by Martins work Thank you For the volunteers the recording process will use the passport being developed by Martins work Thank you

19. Contacts Anita Prosser A.Prosser@btcv.org.uk Martin Lockett M.Lockett@btcv.org.uk