Managing volunteers in refugee community organisations - achievements and challenges: a report on a training and support programme for refugee community organisations in Yorkshire September - November 2005

Aims

The report provides a summary of a training and support project for refugee community organisations [RCOs] in Yorkshire that aimed to develop capacity and good practice in regard to volunteer management.

Key issues

The report describes the training process and activities. Two refugee trainers and eight organisations were involved. Information gathered about the RCOs during consultancy visits provides details of activities, communities served, size and resources, roles and volunteer tasks, funding and resources and how volunteers were managed. The results of an evaluation of the course addresses expectations of the training and changes to volunteer management after the training.

Conclusions

The report offers reflections on what worked well such as the ‘modular’ approach, communication, creating useful links and a high ratio of facilitators to participants.