V2E
In September 2008, NCBI Lancashire began delivery of ‘ V2E ’ – a project which aimed to increase the employability of local people who were considered to be long term benefit recipients. The project was initially for 5 months; it began in September 2008 and finished at the end of January 2009.
Funded by Lancashire Community Developments Ltd and administered through The Lancashire Partnership, the project aimed to recruit 10 volunteers and work with them to develop skills, confidence and new opportunities.
NCBI Lancashire works predominantly in the Lancaster and Morecambe district; the training and development opportunities and the projects it has fostered have evolved over a number of years to provide a resource for those seeking strategies, which support the organisations aim of ending prejudice and discrimination and making communities safer, healthier places for everyone.
The work of the organisation is to provide a resource-(through training and support) – to enhance community based responses to issues and events that affect people’s lives; so that who ever they are, whatever their background, age, ethnicity, gender or ability, they have sufficient skills and resource to take leadership and bring about change for themselves and others.
The project recruited beneficiaries by advertising in local media and radio; displaying posters throughout the district and utilising existing networks and shared mailing lists.
Those registering were offered a range of training, skills development, access to professional and social networks, opportunities to develop new projects and ongoing one to one support.
As part of their induction into the organisation, each beneficiary received an initial assessment, which enabled the identification of possible learning styles, areas of interest, previous experience, educational achievement, current situation and future hopes. This aspect of their induction provided the information necessary to personalise the volunteering experience and maximise the individual’s development opportunities.