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Certificate in Community Volunteering
Two schools and one college in Swansea are currently offering an ASDAN accredited Certificate in Community Volunteering as a GCSE option. This means pupils aged 14 are undertaking volunteering and a qualification within the school timetable.
Some of the volunteering includes
- volunteering with a community youth project to regenerate community centre and primary school gardens for the benefit of younger children
- volunteering within a community day nursery provision
- volunteering in a youth led school project developing school spaces for other pupils to use and to volunteer within
- volunteering at a large rural Youth camp undertaking site clearance and improvements tasks
All the young people undertaking the CCV came together on 1st April 2009 to try something different. Four organisations (Dragon Sports, Buddies, Penllergare Valley Woods & The Egypt Centre) who involve young volunteers, offered taster sessions to encourage further volunteering.
Pentrehafod CCV pupils
“We volunteered at SPARK day nursery from September – end of December 2008. We volunteered 4 times + 1 theory lesson over every 2 week period. We learnt a lot about working safely with children during our volunteering.”
In order of photo Shannon Mosuley, Ebony Wilson, Emma Richards Day nursery manager, Jenny Newman & Chelsea Barrett
Swansea College Pupils
Ashraful Alam - “I have been volunteering at Bishopswood making furniture out of reclaimed wood for people to enjoy in the wooded area. I have really enjoyed making stools and learning about the different plants, trees and wildlife. I appreciate the wooded area and the work that goes into maintaining it. My volunteering experience will look good on my c.v. and has given me the experience needed to apply for courses after my GCSEs”
Bradley Roberts - “ I enjoy the calmness of Bishopswood and the experience of working with tools. I have made stools and mallets with only 3 basic hand tools. I have grown a lot of respect for our ancestors and how they used to live. The volunteering work has made me want to train to become a carpenter. Without this volunteering experience I wouldn't have known how much I enjoyed carpentry and would have no focus or drive for my future. I am going to work hard to get the qualifications needed to get a carpentry apprenticeship next year. I've done that quite well - I'm proud of myself “
Alternative and appropriate curriculum
Pupils are also undertaking community volunteering opportunities in groups gaining work related skills, fresh air and a break from the classroom.
ELiS group volunteering project at St Madoc Camp
'Half an hour out of the city centre was a place we didn't even know existed. We found sweeping views of the Gower, hidden pathways which led to a private beach with frozen sea puddles and a brand new complex where we relaxed with a cup of tea whilst our feet kept warm with the under floor heating. It was here that we sat and planned out our project, which is to dig out and landscape a pond for all to enjoy. The ideas came thick and fast and soon we found ourselves dressed in our waterproofs, armed with rakes, shovels and cutters, ready to attack the patch of wasteland. Jamie made short work of the digging, Cameron made friends with a frog, Matthew attacked the rotting bridge, Chris and Dina braved the bramble hedge and Jess and Yvonne ducked to avoid the flying mud pies and worms. After an hours solid work, we had made quite a difference and had earned a cup of tea, so we retired to the hall, tired, muddy and happy to evaluate our progress.' Acting Manager from ELiS - Chris Griffiths
 I have had the privilege to supervise many young people at our site over the course of the past year. It seems to be a real win-win situation.
The camp benefits enormously from the young volunteers' work and the young people get a chance to enjoy working in a beautiful outdoor setting, learn new skills and gain self confidence as they see visible transformation from their efforts, be that in the creation of a new path through our woods or the installation of a new fence.
One of the three groups that are currently visiting us on a regular basis is creating a wildlife pond. They are not only working hard, ankle deep in mud, with shovels, but have been involved in the creative process. The pond will be of real value to the children that will holiday at our site in the future, and the young people will no doubt be rightly proud of their achievement! St Madoc Camp Volunteer Manager - Alison Holland
Could your organisation offer young people one off volunteering opportunities for large groups – there are lots of groups requesting this type of experience?
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