EVS OAT London Nov 2018

Aims & objectives

On-Arrival Training EVS Volunteers:
- introduce the volunteers to the host country, preparing them for the experience
- make them aware of cultural and personal challenges
- facilitate networking
- conflict prevention and crisis management advice
- to develop communication skills, intercultural learning to support the participants to reflect on their own personal goals.
ESC MidTerm Training:
- to have the opportunity to review achievements and challenges in the volunteering placement to date, to reflect on learning gained and set new goals for future
learning.
- encourage to identify practical ways to improve the value of their volunteering placement.
- to make recommendations for their Hosting
Organisation and other organisations involved in their volunteering placement.

Target group & international/intercultural composition of the group & team

23 participants.
1 from Austria
3 from Germany
3 from Slovenia
2 from Turkey
2 from Greece
2 from Spain
1 from Romania
1 from Netherlands
1 from Slovakia
2 from Italy
1 from Estonia
2 from Czech Republic
2 from France

Training methods used & main activities

The training has been following a LCL (Learner Centred Learning) method. The starting point has been creating a safe, relaxed and equal training environment. And changing the pace to keep the attention active (body and mind).
For most of the sessions we have develop the topics from what volunteers already knew. Trying to encourage critical thinking and “growth mindset” attitude towards the experience. We talked about Resilience: “keep on going, physical stamina, emotional self belief, mental capacity” and used and saw some tools that might be useful for them (transferable activities / resources)
Some of the specific methods and and dynamics used have been:
Energisers and Ice-breakers such us group juggling name game, finger catcher, rock paper scissors.
Trainer-led discussions.
Statements Debate.
Small group discussions.
Individual reflection and sharing of individual reflections.
“Peer expert”, peer collaboration (proximal learning)
Group and or individual Presentations.
Brain-storming and participant suggestions.
Group problem solving activity(with assumptions proposed by the volunteers)
Secret friend dynamic.
Experiencing (practical learning)
We proposed them different methods to approach their discovering UK challenge but also to present it. Methodologies proposed where research, interview public, research libraries, reduce internet research to a minimum, drama, theater, painting, poster, quiz... they could pick the ones that where more interesting for each group.
Group Feedback.

Outcomes of the activity

- All participants went back to their projects feeling motivated, informed and inspired.
- Participants got the time and the space to reflect on what they want to achieve and tips on how to do it.
- The group dynamic was good and we could do some conflict management group exercises (play role).
- Peer support during the training and after through a social media group.

Your tasks and responsibilities within the team

My role was second trainer and facilitator
- Prepare the training space and paperwork before and after the training.
- Arrange practicalities and logistics during the training process,
- Support the lead trainer
- Lead some Training sessions
- Meeting and organising work with the other trainer
- Mentoring work outside training programme.

I worked on this training for 3 days as a full time trainer.