Ways to support your volunteers

In this section, we share some of the ways that partners are supporting their volunteers locally, they might give you ideas of initiatives you could start in your area.

If you would like to share volunteer initiatives happening in your area, please let us know by emailing: communications@sportscotland.org.uk

 

Volunteer induction 

When recruiting new volunteers into an organisation, it is important to give them an induction in order for them to feel part of the team and to equip them with the necessary information to fulfil their role.

Find out more about volunteer inductions from Volunteer Scotland, including information on:

  • Why an is induction important 
  • How to deliver an induction
  • What you should include in an induction

 

Inclusion 

Having inclusion at the heart of the recruitment process for volunteers will ensure everyone feels valued and able to contribute. 

Find out more about how to be as inclusive as possible when recruiting volunteers, including:

  • Tips produced by Volunteer Scotland and the National Inclusion in Volunteering Group 
  • Glasgow Disability Alliance inclusion top tips for recruiting and supporting disabled volunteers 

 

Handling challenging situations

Volunteers will have a positive experience for the most part, but occasionally things happen and you may need to overcome challenging situations. It is important to have procedures in place to deal with any problems to create a positive volunteer experience.

Find out more about handling challenging volunteer situations, including:

  • Why it is important to have a process for managing challenging volunteer situations
  • Staff vs volunteer procedures 
  • When to discuss the managing challenging situations process
  • Informal and formal approaches 

 

South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture (SSLC) Probationer/NQT Academy

Concept

Introducing Newly Qualified Teachers (NQT) to a wide selection of sports sessions to improve their ability to both delivery 2 hours of quality PE and lead on an extracurricular club.

Why Newly Qualified Teachers?

  • Teachers still represent the largest proportion of volunteers delivering extracurricular activity in South Lanarkshire.
  • Teachers asked to deliver two hours of quality PE and also support extracurricular activity within their schools.
  • Coordinators have found NQT very receptive to being involved in extracurricular activities.

The academy offered Probationer teachers a wide selection of sports coaching courses delivered by Active schools Coordinators, Development Officers, Regional Development Officers, and Professional Coaches.

The aim of the training is to develop / increase the probationer’s skills in delivering two hours of quality PE and allow them the ability/confidence to deliver a new extracurricular club of their choice (minimum 6-week extracurricular club part of agreement by attending).

Sports/activities on offer

Due to the NQT’s already teaching in schools for five months it was felt that the time available for training would be best used for activity and delivery as class control etc. should not be an issue. Therefore, each session although only lasting an hour long filled with the best content that the tutors deem to work best in primary schools.

2019/2020 programme

  • Disability inclusion sports (SDS RDO)
  • Badminton (Badminton Scotland RDO )
  • Rugby (SLC RGU Club Development Officer
  • Athletics (SLLC Dev Officer)
  • Gymnastics (PE Teacher and coach at Hamilton Gymnastics club)
  • Football (SLLC Development Officer)
  • Basketball (Basketball Scotland)
  • Netball ( SLLC Development Officer)

HiLife Highland Hoodie Initiative

With over 5000 young people going through the High Life Highland (HLH) Leadership Programme, the programme offers a selection of leadership and training opportunities underpinned by leadership in sport and youth work. Depending on the Award level and hours required to complete, you receive a specific-coloured hoody. This is a great incentive to encourage individuals to participate in voluntary opportunities and illustrate the time and effort that goes into it to others through the use of the coloured hoodies.

Date published: 14 July 2023
Date updated: 16 September 2024

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