Volunteering in Community Learning and Development
Are you a CLD volunteer?
Who are CLD volunteers?
CLD volunteers practice in a range of different settings with adults, with young people and with community groups. This is Paddy’s story ...
I am Paddy and I have recently landed my dream job as Assistant Co-ordinator for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in Inverclyde. It all started when I was 14 years old in school and I began taking part in my Bronze Award. I then progressed to silver, then to gold and even managed to make it out alive after my Gold Expedition! I gained many skills and developed my personal attributes, all thanks to the Award. Due to what I got out of the Award I decided that I would go back and volunteer even though I was working full time with another company. This went on for many years and I found it rewarding, helping young people to achieve their Award - so I decided that I would change my career path… And here I am!
Read more volunteers’ stories below ....
What do CLD volunteers have in common?
CLD volunteers seem to do so many different things, so what do they have in common? Why call them CLD volunteers?
One of the things they have in common in that they use the same sorts of skills no matter who they are working with. These are the CLD competencies. You may need to think about it for a minute but I am sure you will find you do some of these things if not all of these things too!
Another thing these volunteers have in common is their values and principles. You probably share them too but just don’t call them that! The CLDSC has developed a Code of Ethics to guide and underpin all CLD practice whether by volunteers or paid workers. These 13 principles include equity, empowerment and confidentiality.
https://www.i-develop-cld.org.uk/pluginfile.php/7015/mod_label/intro/Code_of_Ethics_2017.pdf
A useful resource ‘Ethical Practice .... Competent Practitioners’ helping us to recognise the importance of these principles in practice.
PDF File: Ethical Practice - Competent Practitioners 2020 (cldstandardscouncil.org.uk)
Why should you become a CLDSC Associate Member?
As you will have seen from the stories above, people of all ages and backgrounds volunteer in community learning and development for a host of different reasons, but essentially it boils down to their desire to make a difference in the lives of young people, adults and communities.
The majority of CLD volunteers are currently making a big difference without being members of the Standards Council. So why should they become members? Why should you become a member
There are lots of benefits to CLDSC registration. We are constantly looking at ways to enhance and develop this and right now we have a particular focus on the benefits for CLD volunteers.
Improving Practice
The chances are that if you have found yourself here on this theme on the idevelop website, then you want to do what you do as a volunteer well and like most CLD practitioners you are probably a lifelong learner yourself.