Devising ways of recognition and reward that are of value to the young volunteer

GwirVol recognises the importance of recognition and reward as a motivating factor in volunteering. It will pursue this in a number of ways.

Accreditation can be valuable in terms of development and job opportunities. For example, the Scotland’s ‘Amazing Things’ – A guide to the youth awards in Scotland - has celebrated the great wealth of opportunity and activity represented by these Awards in one publication. The purpose of the publication is to highlight the contribution made by the Awards to young people’s achievement. It is a joint effort between all the different Award providers. The Guide is neither a ‘league table’ nor a ‘Which?’ guide. All the Awards play a part in supporting young people’s achievement. The Guide is aimed at everyone who places a value on young people’s voluntary effort to develop their own skills and improve the communities around them.It will be useful for youth work organisations, schools, colleges and universities, and employers. (Extract from ‘Amazing Things’ document available at www.vds.org.uk)

Work should be recognised!

GwirVol has identified a number of actions it will take over the next 3 years in relation to accreditation:

• We will provide detailed information on methods of accrediting Young People’s Volunteering
• We will support a networking event where information can be gathered from accrediting organisations
• We will provide information on accreditation on the GwirVol portal for both young people and their supporters
• We will provide access to training for young people’s supporters to deliver accreditation

Recognition and reward

Volunteering is a positive activity which can increase a young person‘s sense of self-esteem. It can also reinforce positive images in community of young people.

GwirVol will help devise, promote and publicise a recognition and award system, which is youth led, taking account of existing schemes such as Millennium Volunteers. Any new initiative could either be an adjunct to existing Award systems or a stand-alone award.

It will also explore the potential for rewards. While the concept of volunteering has at its heart working without gain, reward for effort through such initiatives as timebanking can give positive value to the experience. Sponsorship, such as the Orange mobile support of ‘‘Rock Corps’ in London has been given much publicity on Channel 4 television and gives a boost to and a positive image of Volunteering. GwirVol will look at this aspect in conjunction with GwirForce, to recommend suitable reward recommendations.