R-CITY VOLUNTEERS
About The Programme:
Operating for those who have completed the first 2 years of the R-CITY Leadership programme, at this stage the participants are 18 years +. The breadth of opportunity and experience for this cohort represents a step up for participants and often includes regional and international aspects. The number of steps within the R-CITY Volunteers programme are reduced to 5, reflecting the intensity of the work and committed involved at this level.
1 - Leadership, Facilitation, Representation
At the point in their journey the R-CITY volunteers are involvedin thefacilitationofthevariousR-CITY programmes. Co facilitating alongside staff on the R- CITY year 1 & 2 and Belfast 2 Blanco have been core roles for volunteers for the past 3 years. More recently volunteers have had the opportunity to take on leadership roles for the R-CITY My Choices & R-CITY Juniors programmes.
Ongoing implementation of the leadership skills is crucial in the further development of the volunteering role. Volunteers are required to continue to volunteer within their own communities and clubs alongside their work with R-CITY.
Volunteers are to expected represent R-CITY within a range of environment. These have included speaking at key events, conferences and for the purposes of government consultations.
2 - Self-Directed Programming
The volunteer programme is a self lead programme, participants choose the elements that make up their training and development across the academic year. Selecting a range of topics for their ongoing training as well as dictating the level of input required from staff.
Each year the participants have the option to include an international aspect in their volunteer programme. R-CITY volunteers have the chance to spend a period of their year 3 programme in South Africa where they work for a month amongst the townships.
3 - Community Events
Large scale community events are organised each year by the volunteer team. Designed around a specific topic the volunteers develop up an event to engage young people from across the city to come together about the issue. Previous events have included ‘We will walk with you’ around mental health and access to services as well as support for those who are Homeless, Drugs & Alcohol Awareness and Ethnic Minorities.
4 - Mentoring
R-CITY volunteers fulfil the role peers mentors for those involved in the other R-CITY programme. Supporting them with low level issues and acting as a listening ear. This role modelling also supports help seeking behaviours within the R-CITY young people as a large cohort.
5 - Employment
Recognising the qualities, skills and experience of those who have come through the R- CITY journey, many who seek to pursue a career in youth work have the opportunity to take on part- time hours. This step is a great opportunity for the participants, the final step in their journey as volunteers and the first step in the formal career process.
“Having Now realised where my passion lies, and the youth work career I want to take, volunteering was an option I couldn’t refuse.”
— Katie, 18