‘‘Friends’ Innovative Friends’ Innovative TrainingTraining

Wendy OhandjanianWendy Ohandjanian

Project CoordinatorProject Coordinator

‘‘Friends’ Volunteers CoventryFriends’ Volunteers Coventry

What is Innovative aboutWhat is Innovative about ‘Friends’ Volunteer’s Training? ‘Friends’ Volunteer’s Training?

• Befriend’s people from New Befriend’s people from New CommunitiesCommunities

• Encourages Volunteer’s from New Encourages Volunteer’s from New CommunitiesCommunities

• Partnership WorkingPartnership Working

• ““Hard to Reach” become “How to Hard to Reach” become “How to Reach”Reach”

When did it start? How does it When did it start? How does it work?work?

• Pilot 3 ½ years agoPilot 3 ½ years ago

• 10 weeks course – 4 hours per week10 weeks course – 4 hours per week

• Based on identified needsBased on identified needs

Why does it work?Why does it work?

• Simple and EffectiveSimple and Effective

• Relevant and UsefulRelevant and Useful

• No PortfolioNo Portfolio

• Folder with NotesFolder with Notes

• Friendly AtmosphereFriendly Atmosphere

What Outcomes?What Outcomes?How Successful is it?How Successful is it?

• 30% Retention over 30% Retention over 2 years2 years

• Volunteer’s flocking Volunteer’s flocking to the courseto the course

• Partnerships flourishPartnerships flourish

• Winners of AwardsWinners of Awards

• Further opportunities Further opportunities for Volunteersfor Volunteers

Train to Gain – and RetainTrain to Gain – and Retain

• You need to invest You need to invest in volunteer’sin volunteer’s

• Training makes Training makes them feel Valuedthem feel Valued

• Better tools – Better tools – happier workmenhappier workmen

• Need to know how Need to know how to use the toolsto use the tools