Explore / What role should volunteers play in parks? / Accreditation

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Accreditation

When volunteering at a local park, you may be given different volunteering options as well as earn accreditation and qualifications for learning skills. Yet, a skills scheme might require additional formalities to the volunteering experience and may not actually be desirable to all volunteers.

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What would you do?

How would you improve this or do it differently?

Share your ideas and opinions to shape the future of our parks!

Jesmond Dene Workshop Two

Jesmond Dene Workshop Two
24/04/2017

"Some volunteers may be interested in accreditation, most may not. However, in addition to the current offer, with extra resources it’s worth exploring." —Workshop Team One

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Stephanie Mosley

Stephanie Mosley
21/04/2017

A combination of both and again connecting with uni's and schools or princes trust etc to link with existing accreditors. The accreditation aslo needs to be recognised. I must say its slightly ironic accrediting people as park rangers whilst paid, skilled park rangers with volunteers...how valuable will the accreditation be? How do you make it worthwhile and not just a carrot to get free labour out low skilled people who need real paid jobs

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Mark Ryan

Mark Ryan
21/04/2017

100%. People can make viable life changes when it comes to careers with practical skills that have been achieved and recognised on paper.

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john blakemore

john blakemore
17/04/2017

As others have commented need to reflect differing reasons why people get involved

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sarah brigham

sarah brigham
16/04/2017

They've done this in the arts and it's a nightmare. It takes loads of paperwork and puts some people off. What does work is a partnership with the college and university where they pay us for training their students. You could I guess also do it for community and people through paid courses but again you need to find the infrastructure to do this.

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Ed Scott

Ed Scott
16/04/2017

Why can't both options be available to volunteers? Those that want to pursue accreditation can be supported to but others can just volunteer without wanting accreditation.

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Allan Rowell

Allan Rowell
08/04/2017

There probably needs to be some financial commitment from the volunteers to accreditation, or some kind of 'contract' otherwise some may take advantage of receiving accreditation to work elsewhere.

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Jesmond Dene Workshop

Jesmond Dene Workshop
23/03/2017

"Accreditation would be an optimal option. Even if it’s not a new idea as for example Jesmond Dene had done it before. It currently works well but it should be tested with relevant organisation such as universities and residents’ organisation." — Workshop Team 2

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Jesmond Dene Workshop

Jesmond Dene Workshop
23/03/2017

"Accreditations could co-exist with current volunteers’ groups. Given volunteers the opportunity for accreditation but also encourage new volunteers / students to join in. It would be good to have a skills audit of volunteers and offers of help." — Workshop Team 1

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Twitter

Twitter
23/03/2017

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Twitter

Twitter
23/03/2017

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Twitter

Twitter
23/03/2017

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Dave Poste

Dave Poste
22/03/2017

I am at an age where I do not need any extra qualifications but this might be attractive to some younger people who at the moment are not attracted to volunteering. I think that it is worth considering.

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Tyne Riverside Country Park Workshop

Tyne Riverside Country Park Workshop
21/03/2017

"A good idea for younger people, but not so attractive for older people and some may even find it off-putting due to longer term commitments, which are not necessarily welcome. It could generate some income but it would require some investment to operate." — Workship Team

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Great North Museum Workshop

Great North Museum Workshop
01/12/2016

“Embed skills and employment output” – Workshop Participant

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Great North Museum Workshop

Great North Museum Workshop
01/12/2016

“This would give more opportunities to young people and widen the demographic of volunteers” – Workshop Participant

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Great North Museum Workshop

Great North Museum Workshop
01/12/2016

“You could imagine also widen the role of volunteers through offering opportunities to be involved in events management, administration, etc.” – Workshop Participant

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Science Central Workshop

Science Central Workshop
01/11/2016

“This would require additional staff, so perhaps it would not keep the costs down?” – Workshop Participant

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