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Brief Report

Date	Event
22.06.2006	Goldstar Regional Conference (West Midlands)

Number of Delegates	Location
45 (click to view list)	Custard Factory Birmingham

Format
1. Interviews with GoldStar Exemplar project managers 2. Workshops relating to recruitment and selection and progression pathways

A more detailed outline of some of the issues arising as part of the event is also available on this websit

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GoldStar Interviews: Two GoldStar project managers provided a number of insights into how volunteers are recruited and supported:

• Rob Clarke runs Cheetham Hill Advice Centre (CHAC) which recruits, trains, supervises and supports local residents as volunteer advice workers, receptionists and administrators, with a particular focus on the recruitment of volunteers in groups at risk of social exclusion.

• Soo Nevison runs Multiple Choice, which is a community-based drug rehabilitation programme supporting individuals to become and remain drug free, as an alternative to residential rehab. Multiple Choice actively encourages volunteers with previous experience of using services (drugs, mental health, other support)

The following views expressed by delegates at the event provide a flavour of some of the issues raised.

It is important not to be scared to say “no you are not suitable”

“We don’t like the term progression pathways. It implies going from x to y to z”.

“For us the big success is not moving people into employment. We have young people coming to us with low confidence. For us the big issue is getting them into social activities or training. The big success is how much they grow within themselves”.

For socially excluded groups “the journey travelled can be much greater, but it is about being creative about how you measure it”

“I want to keep doing this forever” (A volunteer commenting on his current volunteering role)

A more detailed outline of some of the issues raised as part of the event is also available on this website. See full report

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