Learning and Practice Development

We are happy to offer a range of services to help those who work with volunteers and other associated stakeholders in volunteering.  VDS offer a consultancy service and a rnage of  blended programmes which link to professional qualifications in volunteer management. Please feel free to contact us here at Volunteer Development Scotland.

Explore the range of learning opportunities in volunteers' management that will enable you to develop your skills, knowledge, understanding and practice in working with, leading, coordinating and managing volunteers.

Learning Opportunities are available through Volunteer Development Scotland and the Volunteer Centre Network across Scotland at Introductory, Intermediate and Advanced levels to suit different learning needs. All learning opportunities are delivered by face to face facilitation where you are encouraged to share and learn from VDS resources and the practice of others involved with volunteers in a wide range of settings.   

All Learning Opportunities 

• combine high standards of quality and effectiveness facilitated in a relaxed style
• are facilitated by experienced tutors using techniques that draw on participants’ contributions and experiences
• integrate the national occupational standards for the management of volunteers
• integrate the Investing in Volunteers standard
• are aligned with the skills framework for Learning in Regeneration 
• have been developed using a wide source of information based in volunteers management

A range of introductory learning opportunities available through the Volunteer Centre Network in partnership with Volunteer Development Scotland that are designed for organisations wishing to explore and develop an effective volunteer programme and for practitioners and volunteers new to the field of volunteering management.

A range of intermediate learning opportunities that have been designed for practitioners and volunteers with some experience of volunteering programmes and of managing volunteers and for organisations wishing to further develop effective volunteer programmes. These learning opportunities can now contribute the Customised Award Coordinating Volunteers .

Intermediate learning opporutunities include  -

• Planning Strategically for Volunteer Involvement,
• Effective Volunteer Recruitment ,
• Matching Volunteers to Roles and Tasks
• Increasing Volunteer Effectiveness through Training & Development 
• Supporting & Supervising Volunteers

A range of advanced learning opportunities designed to meet the needs of practitioners and volunteers with experience of volunteers’ management who wish to develop skills and knowledge in specific areas of volunteers’ management and for organisations wishing to further develop specific areas of their Volunteering Programmes.  This range of learning opportunties can contribute to the Customised Award Management of Volunteers.

• Advanced learning opportunities inlcude  -
• Developing Diversity within a Volunteer Programme
• Health and Safety and Risk Management in Volunteer Programmes,
• Motivation, Retention and Development of Volunteers,
• Developing Volunteer Portfolios
• Creating Positive Volunteer-Staff Relations
• Mamaging Youth Volunteering    - New for 2008

Learners feedback about their experience - 

'Undertaking this series of courses has helped to build up a strong, informed and confident local network of volunteers’ managers in our local Volunteer Centre area'.

'I now feel that I am much better equipped to manage volunteers in my organisation'.

As a registered Learndirect Scotland Learning Centre, Volunteer Development Scotland offers access to a wide range of online learning courses and opportunities as Learning Bytes on their Skillnet.

Online learning bytes from the lds Skillnet offer online learning at a time and pace that suits you. Learners register online with Volunteer Development Scotland and then select learning bytes of their choice from a wide range of topics including -

Working in Teams, Working with Volunters, Time Management, Change Management,  Customer Care, Leadership and Project Management.

To indicate your interest and to register as a new online learner please contact our learning and practice team here

Are you looking for support and guidance for your volunteer programme or looking for volunteers managment learning opportunities tailored for your organisation or network - if so VDS can help you.

We will be pleased to hear from you to discuss your organisations or networks requirements for learning, training and development in all aspects of work with volunteers, designing, developing and manging volunteering programmes.

We offer this service across all sectors within Scotland and have experience of working with national networks and smaller local organisations. All our learning is developed in negotiation with your organisation with delivery facilitated by tutors with experience in volunteering, learning, training and community development.

Please contact our  learning and practice team here