Volunteering in sport 2011-2015 A framework for volunteering: at the heart of Scottish sport
Introduction Welcome to Volunteering in sport 2011-2015. This framework is a key part of sportscotland s commitment to develop and support a world class sporting system at all levels for Scotland. Central to this commitment is the attraction and development of people volunteering in sport. This framework has been developed with support from Volunteer Development Scotland (VDS)* with the aim of promoting a consistent approach to how volunteering in sport is planned, developed and put into practice along with our national and local partners. It aims to build on current good practice and will be used as a guide based on four priority areas: planning strategically for volunteering engaging new and existing volunteers supporting the development of volunteers recognising the contribution volunteers make to sport. Never before has there been a four-year period with so many major sporting events on home soil and such a range of opportunities to capture people s imagination and enthusiasm for sport and for all the volunteering activities that make sport happen. Volunteers will be integral to successful event delivery, and by using these unique opportunities we can ensure a lasting legacy of more people volunteering in sport in Scotland. The success of sport depends on volunteering at many levels with the right people doing the right kind of activities in the right places. For those who volunteer in sport, we want their experience to be a positive one. Along with our partners, we are committed to supporting, encouraging and working alongside volunteers to grow sustainable approaches to the development of their skills and knowledge. We also want to ensure we understand the motivations of volunteers and support them appropriately. We recognise that volunteering requires the goodwill and commitment of thousands of individuals whose needs, like those of individual sports, will constantly change. Our approach is flexible and we will seek to continually improve how we engage and support volunteers in sport. Our commitment is to ensure that we meet the needs of all new and existing volunteers. We are committed to ethical and inclusive sport and will work to ensure that these values are embedded throughout all aspects of the volunteering framework. We want to ensure: our partners take a strategic and long-term approach to volunteering, setting the context for encouraging and supporting individuals who want to volunteer getting involved in and progressing in volunteering is easy a positive, friendly, inclusive and welcoming environment in sport to attract volunteers and enhance their experience people discover that volunteering in sport can be a part of all stages of life and that more of their friends, family and colleagues can get involved we hear and read more about volunteering in sport in communities and recognise the contribution volunteers make to sport a culture of support, celebration and recognition for volunteers who contribute to the development of sport. * Volunteer Development Scotland is the national resource centre for volunteering
What we will achieve Through this framework and our continued focus on developing sustainable levels of competent and skilled people delivering sport in Scotland, we will make a significant contribution to developing and supporting a world class sporting system to help create our vision of a Scotland where sport is a way of life. Through the application and delivery of this framework we will see that: the planning, design and work of national and local partners is more responsive to, and takes account of, volunteer needs and experiences sport engages a range of volunteers and benefits from the skills and experiences which volunteers bring volunteer skills and attributes are developed as a result of flexible approaches and sustainable volunteering opportunities being in place volunteers are recognised and celebrated for their contribution to Scottish sport.
Delivering the priorities These actions are required to enhance planning for volunteering and to engage, support and recognise volunteers. Planning for volunteering Planning for the engagement, development and support for volunteers is crucial to success. With our partners, we will seek to ensure there is a clear strategic approach taken to volunteering in sport across Scotland. Engaging volunteers We want to make it easy and attractive for people to volunteer in sport. We will develop ways of inspiring new volunteers to contribute to the development of sport and recognise fully those who are already involved in order to sustain their interest and contribution. We will support our partners in order to develop a welcoming, inclusive, friendly environment for volunteers which helps meet their motivations for volunteering and the needs of individual sports. Supporting volunteers Volunteers are central to the development and support of a world class sporting system in Scotland. We want to support and develop volunteers in sport and ensure that they have a great experience from their commitment and personal investment in sport. With our partners we will provide a range of education and development opportunities for volunteers at all stages of the pathway. We will also support the paid workforce to engage and support volunteers for mutual benefit. Recognising volunteers We want to acknowledge and celebrate the contribution that volunteers make to sport. We want to reflect this in all we do and seek ways to enhance the profile and recognition of the contribution made by volunteers. We want volunteers to feel valued and appreciated for their valuable contribution to sport. As a result, we want to reinforce and broaden the culture of volunteering in sport throughout Scotland.
Actions 2011-2015 sportscotland will: establish baseline data on existing levels of volunteering and the demand for volunteers, we will make use of this evidence to inform the planning of volunteering in sport undertake and share research and information to help partners understand motivations for volunteering provide guidance and expertise to support national and local partners to plan strategically for the engagement, development and support for volunteers in sport support national and local partners to achieve a joined-up approach to planning for volunteering in sport produce an online resource for guidance and share best practice to help national and local partners in planning for volunteering in sport invest in partners who focus on developing volunteers put in place a mechanism to measure the impact of this framework Actions 2011-2015 sportscotland will: maximise the potential of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games to inspire more people to commit and continue to volunteer further enhance the Lead 2014 programme in partnership with the Youth Sport Trust (YST) and the Glasgow 2014 Organising Committee, focusing on the deployment of young people in sport in Scotland work with partners to support the transition of young people volunteering within school to club sport, particularly through Active Schools and community sport hubs through Scottish Student Sport, work with universities and colleges to support students volunteering in sport and to further enhance opportunities for students to volunteer through school and club sport (e.g. Reffin Brilliant programme expansion) work with youth-focused organisations to enhance the communication of volunteering opportunities amongst young people maximise opportunities for organisations committed to corporate social responsibility to promote volunteering in sport, in particular through supporting the Work Out for Sport programme in partnership with the Winning Scotland Foundation develop resources to support partners to engage volunteers in school, club and performance sport (i.e. training, good practice, research information) support and review the application of the Volunteering Zone, hosted within the national volunteering website for Scotland www.volunteerscotland.org.uk Actions 2011-2015 sportscotland will: review approach to delivering the Running Sports resource in Scotland to ensure appropriate and effective support directly to club volunteers lead the national implementation and development of the Positive Coaching Scotland programme, which will support club volunteers to create a positive environment for youth sport enhance support to partners through the provision of tools and resources to further development opportunities provide the paid workforce with training and access to resources to support them in their work with volunteers, particularly through the Active Schools and Sports Development Networks through Scottish governing bodies, invest in and support the development of technical officials establish and lead on a clear approach to mentoring in Scotland, to underpin and support the development of volunteers Actions 2011-2015 sportscotland will: work with partners to plan appropriate approaches to recognise and celebrate the contribution of volunteers in sport promote key messages about volunteers and volunteering, and the impact of their contribution nationally, regionally and locally maximise the potential of Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games, and other significant events such as the Ryder Cup, in order to promote and enhance the contribution of volunteers actively promote national and local volunteer awards to ensure sport and the role of volunteers is recognised and applauded work with our partners to recognise and celebrate the role and contribution of young people in sport
National partners areas of focus position volunteering in sport as a priority within national strategic plans, with a focus on supporting club and performance sport volunteers listen to volunteer suggestions and experiences and respond to their needs and share knowledge and learning with other partners outline a planned approach to the engagement, development and support of volunteers identify resources to support the engagement, development and support of volunteers effectively communicate plans for volunteering to local partners outline pathways, where appropriate, for volunteers in sport Local partners areas of focus position volunteering in sport as a priority within local strategic plans and ensure they are designed to engage and support volunteers in school and club sport establish local and, where appropriate, regional approaches to support integrated planning and sharing good practice for volunteering in sport listen to volunteer suggestions and experiences and respond to their needs and share knowledge and learning with other partners identify resources to support the engagement, development and support of volunteers National partners areas of focus clearly define roles and responsibilities for volunteering within sport establish and implement effective ways to engage volunteers, reflecting their needs and aspirations, along with the needs of individual sports and local partners clearly define and communicate the needs and motivations of volunteers work with national and local organisations to create a welcoming, inclusive and friendly environment for volunteers work in partnership to manage and continually improve the engagement and deployment of volunteers nationally, regionally and locally Local partners areas of focus develop an understanding of volunteer needs and opportunities in school and club sport develop and share innovative approaches to the engagement of volunteers improve the pathway for young people as leaders and volunteers from school into club sport work with colleges and universities to increase the number of students volunteering within school and club sport strengthen links to local organisations* to improve accessibility of opportunities in sport through school and club sport and share good practice *Local organisations such as volunteer centres and other agencies which offer local volunteering support. National partners areas of focus establish a range of sport specific and generic development opportunities for volunteers review, and seek to enhance where appropriate, the use of volunteer accreditation programmes work in partnership with Active Schools and Sports Development Networks to identify the education and development needs of volunteers in school and club sport and agree roles and responsibilities to meet those needs educate and develop board members and others volunteering within Scottish governing bodies of sport promote examples of good practice and advocate continual improvement, recognising that the reasons for volunteering are varied and changeable Local partners areas of focus establish a range of development opportunities that reflect the needs and wishes of volunteers provide training and support on volunteering to the local workforce support volunteers with the provision of regular and relevant information through effective communication channels seek to ensure adequate resources are available to support volunteers National partners areas of focus develop approaches to raise the profile of volunteers and volunteering throughout sport create and support opportunities to showcase the impact of volunteers and volunteering in sport support sport clubs to celebrate the contribution of existing volunteers Local partners areas of focus work with key partners in local areas to deliver a programme of profile-raising activities to recognise the importance of existing volunteers in sport and attract new volunteers develop local incentives and rewards to recognise the role and contribution of volunteers create opportunities for volunteers to share experiences and stories with others locally and also through People Making Waves www.peoplemakingwaves.org.uk
What success will look like by 2015 a strategic, evidence-based approach will be in place to engage, develop and support volunteers in school, club and performance sport the motivations and aspirations of volunteers will be understood and reflected in national and local planning for sport volunteer pathways, where appropriate, will be defined and communicated available resources will be used effectively to support the engagement and development of volunteers What success will look like by 2015 an open, friendly, inclusive and welcoming culture within sport will be evident in which all those contributing will be supported, valued and respected roles for volunteers will be clearly defined and communicated pathways and opportunities for volunteering will be clear, accessible and attractive the supply of volunteers will meet the demand from sport young people will be inspired and supported to volunteer a sustainable source of volunteers from the business or private sector will be developed volunteers will be helped to find appropriate roles, while flexibility and understanding will ensure that volunteers are enabled to contribute effectively and develop their skills and experience Summary This is a unique and exciting period for Scottish sport. We want to fully recognise and enhance the role and contribution of existing volunteers and attract more people to contribute to the growth of sport. Through working in partnership, maximising resources, ideas and energy, we will continue to make a difference to sport in Scotland. The London Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012 and the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2014 provide a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to accelerate the development of sport in Scotland while raising its profile and motivating the nation to be more active. We need to involve and listen to volunteers, understand their motivations and, together, shape the future of sport in Scotland to realise our national ambitions. What success will look like by 2015 volunteers will feel supported and have the skills to fulfil their roles to the best of their abilities and to meet both individual and collective motivations for volunteering education and development opportunities will be in place and will be accessible to volunteers throughout sport workforce will be skilled and confident at understanding the requirements of volunteers needs and be able to respond effectively What success will look like by 2015 volunteers and volunteering will be recognised and celebrated nationally, regionally and locally awareness of volunteering in sport and the impact of volunteer contributions will be raised more volunteers will come forward to make a contribution to sport existing volunteers will stay involved in sport because their motivations for being involved will be understood and met there will be increased awareness of volunteering opportunities in sport Acknowledgements A range of local and national partners have given their energy, time and commitment to explore the issues and opportunities around volunteering in sport. sportscotland would like to formally thank those partners for their involvement in the creation of this framework.
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