The promotion of expertise among volunteers entered a new phase in October 2007 with the opening of the Amsterdam Volunteer Academy on Keizersgracht. It is the result of the fruitful cooperation of De Regenboog foundation, AMOC, Amsterdam Friends Services foundation, Markant, Schorer and Kuria foundation. The academy provides basic training, training in social support and intensive support, and is there for follow-up training and in-depth meetings. Over the years, even more partners have joined the Volunteer Academy and it has become the place where volunteers can attend trainings.
Difficult aspects of life
Volunteering confronts people with the difficult sides of human existence: illness, loneliness, fear, confusion, grief, inability and powerlessness. The buddy organizations therefore pay a lot of attention to the guidance of volunteers. They must be able to count on a professional support team to whom volunteers can turn with their questions. This happens in monthly groups, during evaluation meetings and, where necessary, individually by appointment. There are also regular theme evenings and training sessions.
Enrichment for client and volunteer
Four thousand people apply to the Volunteer Academy each year. The largest group comes through De Regenboog Groep. Karin Hanekroot is one of the academy's founders. She is proud of the satisfaction rating of the trainings. "At the end of the training we ask what grade the trainees give us. Over the years we have gone up from a 7.9 to an 8.5. Acquiring concrete skills that you can apply in practice not only enriches the client, but also the volunteer. The latter deserves to be spoiled a little too."
Experiential expertise as a complement
The training programs also pay a lot of attention to experiential expertise. In fact, this often gives volunteers an edge over social workers, Hanekroot continues. "Experience experts know the problems from the inside. They speak the language of ordinary people. As a result, they know what someone with problems needs. That makes them a valuable addition to, say, a social worker, who has a more theoretical background. They are ordinary people who speak ordinary language. In addition, connection is also important. For an expert by experience it is sometimes easier than for a social worker to connect with another person. People usually sense that someone has been through something themselves."
Certificate presentation with Karin Hanekroot, left
.Making your own choices
The training gives volunteers insight into how to extend a helping hand without taking on the role of rescuer. Alice Hulshof is coordinator of Informal Care as well as a trainer at the Volunteer Academy. "As a volunteer it is important to let the participant make his or her own choices: let your buddy set the pace. It is his or her life. People themselves know best which step they are ready for. As a volunteer, you make a difference by tapping into and supporting this own wisdom in the other person, and by being a sparring partner and confidant."
Strengthened in your role
When Laura Wellink signed up to volunteer with De Regenboog Groep, she was positively surprised to be allowed to go to the Volunteer Academy for basic training. "In that training you go through all kinds of scenarios with each other. That's handy, because in this line of work it can happen that you're faced with a situation in which you think: what now? For example: your buddy asks you to go along to a party of his or her family. Is that allowed? Is that wise? Isn't that too close? During the training you learn what to say in such a case. I am a spontaneous person and quickly think: oh, I'll see how I react. Now I am stronger in my role and I feel less often caught off guard."
Really connecting
Hulshof complements her: "We want to inspire volunteers with the training, not fill them with rigid rules. It's much more about matching expectations and making good agreements with your buddy: when are you there for him or her and when not? Also an important one: stay curious, without trying to give the other person a thousand tips. Furthermore, building trust, giving feedback and having an open conversation are parts of the training. But the golden tip: just stay yourself. It's all about making real contact.
Hans Wijnands on The Volunteer Academy