Union Contact training

Aims & objectives

This residential training was delivered with and for a group of 20 young people (18 - 23years old) and aimed to:

- better prepare the them for their roles as volunteers and support them in preparing and delivering their own activities for the following week.

- better equip volunteers with the skills to support other young people and to be able to facilitate more team building activities.

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

The training team was made up from:
- One Portuguese trainer
- Two British trainers

Participants from the United Kingdom, Finland, Kenya, Russia, Spain, India, and Pakistan took part in this training.

Training methods used & main activities

A variety of different methods were used, such as :
- ice-breakers and activities to improve group dynamics
- workshops
- info-sessions
- Activities planning sessions
- Outdoor activities (team building)

Outcomes of the activity

All participants filled out feedback forms which included questions about their experience and suggestions for improvement in the future.
These suggestions, feedback and outcomes of the training were input in a written report and shared with the Union of Brunel Students leadership team and with the University relevant teams in a form of a written report.

All participants were able to successfully deliver their own activities the week after, which brought together a variety of other volunteers and participants.

Your tasks and responsibilities within the team

My responsibilities during this project was of lead trainer, which included:

- Developing the full schedule of the activities for the entire week
- Deliver a variety of workshops
- Support the other trainers in the delivery of their own activities and workshops

I worked on this training for 4 days as a full time trainer.

Testimonial of the reference person

Mariana is an exceptional trainer and is both engaging and energetic in delivery, ensuring inclusivity within the groups she is working with.

A confident presenter, she ensures that all participants understand, participate and enjoy the training she delivers and gain the skills they need to deliver the activities. She is organised and committed and seeks feedback from participants and other trainers to ensure that improvements can be made for future sessions.

Professional in approach, Mariana ensures that outcomes are recorded and presented to senior personnel.