Older volunteers as Older volunteers as learnerslearners

workshopworkshop

Volunteering and Lifelong Learning in Universities in Europewww.valuenetwork.org.uk

Stefanie WOLL and Ramona DRAGOMIRAnkara, June 2011

WORKSHOP STRUCTUREWORKSHOP STRUCTURE

VALUE project overview

Older volunteers as learners sub-group results

Food for thought

Stefanie WOLL and Ramona DRAGOMIRAnkara, June 2011

VALUE PROJECT – Overview VALUE PROJECT – Overview

VALUE Network comprises 20 organizations representing universities and the volunteering sector from 13 European countries.

VALUE’s principal aims are:

• to bring the university and volunteering sectors together to share experiences of working together

• to explore the potential for developing new university lifelong learning opportunities for volunteers.

Stefanie WOLL and Ramona DRAGOMIRAnkara, June 2011

Older volunteers as learners sub-group Older volunteers as learners sub-group

Older learners older learners as volunteers older volunteers as

learners

Stefanie WOLL and Ramona DRAGOMIRAnkara, June 2011

Stefanie WOLL and Ramona DRAGOMIR

Ankara, June 2011

Older volunteers as learners sub-group Older volunteers as learners sub-group

The sub-group is working to explore:

the existing provision of learning opportunities at universities and in the volunteering sector for older volunteers models of access to ULLL for older volunteers as learners, including systems of accreditation examples of collaboration between institutions in both sectors in developing & providing learning opportunities for older volunteers specific collaboration projects – as “case studies” for more in depth learning the barriers and potential for building cross-sectoral relationships and collaboration in the field of ULLL

Stefanie WOLL and Ramona DRAGOMIRAnkara, June 2011

Our results Our results definition of “older learner/older volunteer” as agreed upon by the group:• no European consensus but deliberate definition as: somebody 50+ offering free time, skills and knowledge for the good of others without being paid for it

learning opportunities for older volunteers as learners provided by volunteer organizations:

• mostly no special training for older volunteers - training content depending on volunteering activity, not on volunteer target group

• but: volunteer organizations encourage older volunteers to develop new skills and competences

• request: volunteer organizations actively support intergenerational dialogue between younger and older volunteers/volunteer learners which would support group identity and strengthen commitment

Stefanie WOLL and Ramona DRAGOMIRAnkara, June 2011

Our results – continued Our results – continued

learning opportunities for older volunteers as learners provided by universities:

• many ULLL programmes (degree courses and non-credit bearing general interest courses)

• older volunteers not (yet) targeted by universities, but volunteers can put skills acquired via ULLL to good use in volunteer work

• volunteer organizations would appreciate learning/experience gained from volunteer work to be recognised by universities for entering degree courses

Stefanie WOLL and Ramona DRAGOMIRAnkara, June 2011

““Food for thought “ Food for thought “

Examples of collaborations between universities and the volunteering sector – can you give any examples from your own countries?

What do you see as existing barriers for a closer collaboration between the universities and the volunteering sector?

What recommendations for actions can you give?

Stefanie WOLL and Ramona DRAGOMIRAnkara, June 2011