From left to right [Back Row] Laura Hancock, Linda Cope, May Clancy, Pete John, Deb Russell, Gavin Davies, Andrew Jones, Brandie Thornton-Lane [Front Row] Marc Pieniazek, tutor Val Thomas, Jarrad Watherton, Nukliao Paginton and Sian Norbury.
Volunteers from Llanelli and beyond came together to complete an accredited course in Volunteering Skills in Felinfoel Education Centre. Delivered and subsidised by Learning Carmarthenshire, the 20 hour Open College Network (OCN) accredited course introduced learners to the roles of volunteers, working relationships, CV writing, transferable skills, rights of the volunteer and responsibilities of organisations.
One learner said: “I have volunteered all my life and this is the first course I feel has given me a qualification that recognises the skills I have as a volunteer, skills I didn’t know I had.”
Co-ordinated by the Lakefield Centre Educational Project, the unique partnership involved matching funders with programme deliverers. Partners include the Llanelli Multicultural Network, Coastal / Prism, MEWN Cymru and Job Force Wales / the Lighthouse Project.
Spokesperson for the Lakefield Project, Rebecca Rosenthal, said “Most of us volunteer in some way at some point in our lives whether it’s helping out the local Parent Teacher’s Association or helping to run a community centre. But we rarely get professional recognition for the skills we pick up along the way, and this course has sought to rectify that.” The scheme involved 14 learners and 7 partners. “It’s been incredible to see so many people come together to make this happen,” she added, “all of the learners took away a lot from the course, and all have said that it has increased their confidence and has given them skills they can take into the workplace.”
Leaner Linda Cope, “I found the course very informative. It inspired me to focus on my next steps and increased me confidence.”
Brandie Thornton-Lane, a local Brownies leader, “I enjoyed the course as it has enabled me to look at volunteering with fresh ideas.”
The Lakefield Project is a local social enterprise that seeks to provide education and training in the Carmarthenshire area with profits being distributed to community cohesion projects. We’re keen to hear from both learners and providers. For more information on this project or to join the mailing list for details on further courses then please contact us at lakefieldcentre@live.co.uk or 07703 631859.
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