Aims & Objectives This project was funded by the Scottish Executive to improve the capability of the Youth Development Workers (YDW) within the 32 Volunteer Centers in Scotland, with the purpose of encouraging and promoting youth volunteering. The purpose was to create a personal and professional program with supporting materials and an interactive learning zone. Emerging Issues A thorough needs analysis and consultation process with theYDWs highlighted the following key issues:- Confusion around the role of a YDW A lack of professionally branded materials such as leaflets and factsheets A lack of presentation/facilitation skills A need for more information on volunteering Limited learning and development Few opportunities to network and share with other YDWs Case Study : Volunteer Development Scotland “Building Youth Volunteering Capacity” Produced by : Leaders in Mind Ltd The Outcome - A Learning Community Each YDW has unique development needs and are geographically dislocated so a web and telephone based learning environment was created to encourage learning and sharing as a community. At the heart - a new competency framework which acts as a reference point to all learning activities and resources. New Interactive Features Skills Check – a career planning and management tool Knowledge Centre – for fact sheets and reference materials Making Connections – a place to meet and exchange ideas Broadcast – the latest on projects and key events Personal Space - to save favourite documents and discussions. The Benefits The YDW’s feel less isolated and they are able to share ideas together using the blog, on line chat and discussion forums. And the new learning options which include learning pods, action learning sets and teleclasses are flexible and suit different life styles, working patterns and needs.

1.Skills Check This on-line facility allows Volunteer Centre staff to plan and manage their careers using the Competency Framework below which shows 4 levels of development from:- Undeveloped – little to no skill Moderate – beginning to develop Competent – fairly confident Mastery – expert, could mentor others There are four steps involved in the skills check process:- a) A self assessment using the Competency Framework (see in the diagram below) New Interactive Features b) A review of the personal profile (below) to identify gaps and development needs and an opportunity to explore the different learning options available. c)The creation of a personal development plan, including targets, actions and dates. d)A personal learning log (post any development work) to record any reflections and learning. Produced by : Leaders in Mind Ltd

2. The Knowledge Centre 3. New Interactive Learning The Knowledge Centre is an amalgamation of existing and new resources to help the Volunteer Centres in their day to day work. There are hints and tips to help volunteer staff to develop and refresh their skills, and research, reports and minutes to refer back to and new tools, techniques and factsheets to make their lives easier. It is organised and structured so that you can search by category and document type of which there are Making Connections Tele Classes – weekly group coaching sessions over the phone. Action Learning Groups – facilitated problem solving. Learning Pods – self coaching modules accessed on line. Question Hour – a weekly surgery to ask and answer questions of each other. Discussion Forums – debate hot topics or get things off your chest. Blog – mini journals where you can share your reflections and experiences. Produced by : Leaders in Mind Ltd

4. Broadcast 5. Personal Space Event Calendar A place where volunteer centres can keep up to date with partnership working, youth volunteering and the latest on the network projects whether they are local or national events. A place where people can save their favourite forums, blogs, documents and personal development plans. Volunteer Centre Network Information on who’s who in each volunteer centre with all contact information and a link to local volunteering opportunities. Produced by : Leaders in Mind Ltd