‘I have already become more confident’ – Training programme helps develop Wales’ volunteers

A training programme established to support third-sector volunteers is now entering its second year.

Get ahead with volunteering is delivered online by The Open University in Wales, in partnership with the Welsh Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA), Third Sector Support Wales and several community voluntary councils.

Following a successful pilot in 2023, the programme is returning for another nine-week run, starting on 16 April. It is made up of weekly, 90-minute sessions.

Get ahead with volunteering is open to volunteers living in Wales, and covers topics like:

• growing wellbeing and confidence
• overcoming barriers to learning
• developing portfolios
• improving leadership skills.

I have already become more confident at approaching employers for further volunteering and employment opportunities, and more comfortable with visiting workplaces presenting myself to potential colleagues.

Volunteer

Each of the sessions are recorded, which means trainees can catch up if they cannot attend one of the dates.

Central to Get ahead with volunteering is the OU’s free learning programme, OpenLearn, which includes hundreds of free courses and resources. Many are particularly relevant to volunteers, including Working in the voluntary sector and Using voluntary work to get ahead in the job market.

‘Retaining volunteers so that they can carry on their great work do is crucial what the third sector does,’ said Helen Thomas, Partnerships Manager at the OU in Wales. ‘Our programme has been created alongside the sector so that volunteers can progress– whether that’s within their volunteer roles or as professionals.

‘Through Get ahead with volunteering, we’ve also been able to talk to volunteers about lifelong learning and how this can open new opportunities. Some have even progressed into studying formally with the OU – in some cases without any experience of university.’