Caring for volunteers – training of trainers
Copenhagen, 14 to 16 November 2017
Training objectives
The IFRC PS Centre Caring for volunteers training will equip participants with knowledge, skills and tools on planning and implementing caring for volunteers activities and interventions based on the IFRC PS Centre “Caring for Volunteers, a Psychosocial Support Toolkit”.
Through a participatory approach the training gives participants deeper insight into the content of the “Caring for Volunteers, a Psychosocial Support Toolkit” as the participants will have to facilitate parts from tool kit: understanding of psychosocial support; risks, resilience and protective factors for volunteers’ psychosocial well-being; self-care; peer support; Psychological First Aid; setting up psychosocial support systems for volunteers; monitoring and evaluating volunteers’ efforts. Participants will be sharing best practices from their National Societies and be introduced to current Movement initiatives to strengthen care for volunteers.
After the training participants will be able to plan and run Caring for volunteers workshops and trainings, set up buddy systems, and facilitate workshops on self-care for their peers. They will learn about creating systems for volunteer care in National Societies, so the training includes a module on developing strategies and guidelines for caring for volunteers in National Societies. Participants will furthermore be able to assist management level in designing and planning volunteer care systems.
Didactic and pedagogical teaching methods (organising a training workshop; creating a safe and inclusive learning environment; what makes a good facilitator; different learning styles; facilitation techniques)
As a training of trainers a participatory approach will be used, thus all participants should be prepared to actively engage throughout the training. There will be possibilities to develop new ideas for exercises and all participants will be facilitating part of the sessions.
Topics covered are:
- Understanding psychosocial support
- Risks, resilience and protective factors
- Self-care
- Peer support
- Psychological first aid for volunteers
- Setting up psychosocial support systems for volunteers
- Monitoring and evaluation of volunteer support
- Current movement initiative in caring for volunteers
- Communicating the message to other actors
- Developing strategies an action plans for National Societies
Background
Volunteers are the backbone of the Red Cross Red Crescent. With around 17 million active volunteers the Movement has an obligation to care for the volunteers who assist millions of vulnerable people in times of greatest need. The 2015 IFRC Global Review on Volunteering report showed that the environments and contexts for volunteering are rapidly changing. The report concludes that volunteers need to be genuine partners in the efforts with an equal voice and as drivers of change for vulnerable people rather than delivers of services. If volunteerism is to continue to be a powerful development force it needs resourcing, research and a strong policy framework in order to continue to grow and to drive change in communities around the world and to provide an avenue for people to have a voice and active role in development processes.
Dates, deadlines and other important information:
The training takes place in Copenhagen on 14 to 16 November 2017 from 9 to 17 all days.
Participants must be able to participate in the entire training, arriving the night before and departing from the training venue no earlier than 5 pm on the last day of training (earliest possible flight from Copenhagen at 8 pm).
The training is in English and all participants are expected to participate actively. All participants must be able to facilitate a session in English.
Participants will be given a Training of trainers certificate based on whether they fulfil the following criteria:
- Has done the required pre-reading
- Has at least 80 % attendance during the training
- Has participated actively during the training
- Has facilitated part of sessions using a participatory approach
If you have questions, please write to psacademy@rodekors.dk
Deadline for application is 15 September 2017 – please note that getting a visa to Denmark may take some time.
Please note that we only accept applications submitted through the online system: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf-0SH0fgfMN-MUTA1KUvlp7GYB11gYPdKjZ44YCvq_84gJPA/viewform?usp=sf_link
Please identify the specific visa requirements for your country here:
https://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-us/coming_to_dk/visa/need_visa/who_needs_visa.htm
Target group and required qualifications
Participants may come from a variety of backgrounds; they may be staff or volunteers who are responsible for other volunteers and have experience with managing staff and volunteers in their National Societies, e.g. as human resources staff, branch managers, volunteer managers or others working with volunteers. Participants are expected to have a background in psychology, social science or social work, experience from the field of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support and a teaching/facilitation background.
Cost
Participants must cover their own expenses for travel, accommodation and per diem, but there is no training fee. Lunch and snacks will be provided during the training.
Pre-reading
Caring for Volunteers Tool Kit and training manual
Please note that the manuals are also available in French, Arabic, Russian and Spanish
IASC Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings
Minimum Standard Commitments to Gender and Diversity in Emergency Situations
The required pre-reading must be completed before the start of the training, so each participant must dedicate a full day of preparation before the training.