The Ivy Project aims
to engage young people in volunteering and through this to encourage,
motivate and support them in their personal development and celebrate
the contributions they make to their communities. As a Youth Action
agency they offer a three model approach to volunteering:
Taskforce Projects
One off, usually one
day, projects such as charity abseils and conservation tasks. These
opportunities are very well received by young people due to the team
spirit and the one-off nature involved; some projects are
oversubscribed. Young people can get involved as a team member on the
day or take a lead role in the organisation of the event. Occasionally
The Ivy Project becomes involved in International Projects, giving young
people the opportunity to travel abroad. During the coming year 20
Taskforce projects are planned, for example; gothic fashion show, youth
festival, rural and urban conservation projects, playdays, extreme
sports.
Volunteer Placements
Young people seeking
more practical work-based voluntary experience can take part in longer
term committed volunteer placements usually within community
organisations. In addition to developing practical experience, these
opportunities help to boost confidence and communication skills. The
length of the volunteer placements that young people take part in vary.
Sometimes young people volunteer once as a taster. Sometimes their
placement will be for a few hours a week and sometimes the placement is
for a few hours a day. Case example: Paula came to the Ivy Project
wanting to gain experience of working with children as her dream job is
to work with children on community arts projects. She was successful in
gaining a placement at a healthy living centre volunteering with the
after school club. She volunteers every day for 3 hours.
Youth Action
Young people are
encouraged and supported in designing and implementing their own
volunteering opportunity, to address issues, passions and concerns that
the young person identifies. This is non-prescriptive and can vary
considerably from campaigning for community facilities to producing a
short film. Youth driven volunteering was recently endorsed by the
Russell Commission, in fact their own research found that ‘95% of young
people want an active role in shaping their own volunteering
opportunities’.
1 : 1 Support
In order to deliver
The Ivy Project’s inclusive policy of no-refusal, on-going one to one
support is offered for all young people who need it. There has been an
overwhelming level of interest from young people who have high support
needs and wish to volunteer. This level of volunteering support is
unique to The Ivy Project in the region and successfully reaches out to
isolated and excluded groups.
It is anticipated that more than a ¼ of
volunteers in the coming year will require 1:1 support.
Training
Training courses are
offered to young people who express an interest in learning about a
particular area, as long as it relates to their volunteering
aspirations. The Ivy Project also offers training programmes in
‘pre-volunteering skills’ such as; self-esteem and assertiveness; active
listening and body language; public speaking and presentation skills;
the rights of a volunteer.
Who Ivy Supports
In the last 6 years
the Ivy Project has supported many vulnerable young people with many
issues such as: Mental health issues, learning disabilities, physical
disabilities, care leavers, homeless, young people living in supported
housing, young people with criminal records, emotional behavioural
problems and drug and alcohol issues. The Ivy Project maintains a policy
of no-refusal.
Youth Volunteering
Development for volunteer-involving organisations
In March 2007 The
Ivy Project published the Youth Volunteering Strategy for Devon. We now
offer free advice, support and bespoke training to voluntary and
statutory organisations; making your organisation young person friendly;
youth volunteer recruitment, support and retention; creating taster
days; youth participation.