Training for volunteers - A multiple case study investigating the relationship between volunteer motivations and required training programmes

<p>This thesis reports on a multiple case study exploring the impact of required training programmes upon the motivations of new volunteers. The core research question is: How are the primary motivations of volunteers affected by the initial training that they are required to complete? Previous research has investigated the motivations of volunteers, and sought to measure the efficacy of volunteer training programmes. However there is little research investigating how volunteer motivations and volunteer training programmes influence each other. Volunteers from two contrasting volunteer organisations were interviewed about their motivations to volunteer, experiences of the volunteer training, and any subsequent changes in motivation. Prior to these interviews the volunteers were given the Volunteers Function Inventory (VFI) questionnaire which measures volunteer motivations. The interview data was analysed using a six phase process of thematic analysis, and the motivational themes from this analysis were checked against the results of the VFI Questionnaire. The study found little difference in the overall motivations of volunteers between the two organisations, though there were differences in how these motivations were expressed within each organisation. Both sets of volunteers displayed high levels of altruistic and knowledge-based motivations, with the career motivation being the most variable, and age and stage of life appearing as a key moderator for the motivations. Volunteers appreciated training that they perceived as being relevant, and that utilised peer-learning, but both training programmes lacked the flexibility required to have a high level of relevance to a wide range of learning needs and motivations. Ultimately the motivations of the volunteers were improved by the training when they found that it either helped them to be more effective in their volunteer roles, or related well to their motivations for volunteering.</p>

Training for volunteers - A multiple case study investigating the relationship between volunteer motivations and required training programmes

<p>This thesis reports on a multiple case study exploring the impact of required training programmes upon the motivations of new volunteers. The core research question is: How are the primary motivations of volunteers affected by the initial training that they are required to complete? Previous research has investigated the motivations of volunteers, and sought to measure the efficacy of volunteer training programmes. However there is little research investigating how volunteer motivations and volunteer training programmes influence each other. Volunteers from two contrasting volunteer organisations were interviewed about their motivations to volunteer, experiences of the volunteer training, and any subsequent changes in motivation. Prior to these interviews the volunteers were given the Volunteers Function Inventory (VFI) questionnaire which measures volunteer motivations. The interview data was analysed using a six phase process of thematic analysis, and the motivational themes from this analysis were checked against the results of the VFI Questionnaire. The study found little difference in the overall motivations of volunteers between the two organisations, though there were differences in how these motivations were expressed within each organisation. Both sets of volunteers displayed high levels of altruistic and knowledge-based motivations, with the career motivation being the most variable, and age and stage of life appearing as a key moderator for the motivations. Volunteers appreciated training that they perceived as being relevant, and that utilised peer-learning, but both training programmes lacked the flexibility required to have a high level of relevance to a wide range of learning needs and motivations. Ultimately the motivations of the volunteers were improved by the training when they found that it either helped them to be more effective in their volunteer roles, or related well to their motivations for volunteering.</p>

Modern Directions of Implementation of Volunteer Practices and Existing Volunteer Training Systems in the Regions of the Russian Federation

The article analyzes the specifics of the implementation of volunteer practices in the regions of Russia based on the material of available Internet sources. The authors believe that conducting a psychological and pedagogical study of programs for the implementation of volunteer (volunteer) activities will make it possible to predict the formation of a social institution of volunteering (volunteering) and develop scientifically based recommendations for the application and dissemination of effective practices of volunteering. The purpose of the article is, on the basis of theoretical analysis, to identify and substantiate the current directions for the implementation of volunteer practices and the features of training volunteers on the example of the Tomsk, Sverdlovsk, Chelyabinsk regions and the Krasnoyarsk Territory. Methodology. The research was carried out on the basis of structuring the understanding of volunteer activities in the regions of the Russian Federation through the prism of axiological, system-activity, culturological and project methodological approaches. It is shown that volunteer practices and the work of volunteers themselves are structured on the basis of a combination of these approaches and traditionally fit into extra-curricular activities to a large extent. In conclusion, it is concluded that the implementation of volunteer practices is carried out through a combination of various approaches, therefore it should be considered as a multimodal educational and educational practice. The training of volunteers is structured through a combination of forms of individual, group, collective work, but it is not systemic, which requires the additional development of a set of standardized and validated tools to assess the effectiveness of the results of the implementation of volunteer programs.

ILIVE Project Volunteer study. Developing international consensus for a European Core Curriculum for hospital end-of-life-care volunteer services, to train volunteers to support patients in the last weeks of life: A Delphi study

Background: Volunteers make a huge contribution to the health and wellbeing of the population and can improve satisfaction with care especially in the hospice setting. However, palliative and end-of-life-care volunteer services in the hospital setting are relatively uncommon. The iLIVE Volunteer Study, one of eight work-packages within the iLIVE Project, was tasked with developing a European Core Curriculum for End-of-Life-Care Volunteers in hospital. Aim: Establish an international consensus on the content of a European Core Curriculum for hospital end-of-life-care volunteer services which support patients in the last weeks of life. Design: Delphi Process comprising the following three stages: 1. Scoping review of literature into palliative care volunteers. 2. Two rounds of Delphi Questionnaire. 3. Nominal Group Meeting. Setting/participants: Sixty-six participants completed the Round 1 Delphi questionnaire; 75% (50/66) took part in Round 2. Seventeen participants attended the Nominal Group Meeting representing an international and multi-professional group including, clinicians, researchers and volunteer coordinators from the participating countries. Results: The scoping review identified 88 items for the Delphi questionnaire. Items encompassed organisational issues for implementation and topics for volunteer training. Three items were combined and one item added in Round 2. Following the Nominal Group Meeting 53/87 items reached consensus. Conclusion: Key items for volunteer training were agreed alongside items for implementation to embed the end-of-life-care volunteer service within the hospital. Recommendations for further research included in-depth assessment of the implementation and experiences of end-of-life-care volunteer services. The developed European Core Curriculum can be adapted to fit local cultural and organisational contexts.

An Integrative Review on the Feasibility and Acceptability of Delivering an Online Training and Mentoring Module to Volunteers Working in Community Organizations

Background: Volunteer programs that support older persons can assist them in accessing healthcare in an efficient and effective manner. Community-based initiatives that train volunteers to support patients with advancing illness is an important advance for public health. As part of implementing an effective community-based volunteer-based program, volunteers need to be sufficiently trained. Online training could be an effective and safe way to provide education for volunteers in both initial training and/or continuing education throughout their involvement as a volunteer.Method: We conducted an integrative review that synthesized literature on online training programs for volunteers who support older adults. The review included both a search of existing research literature in six databases, and an online search of online training programs currently being delivered in Canada. The purpose of this review was to examine the feasibility and acceptability of community-based organizations adopting an online training format for their volunteers.Results: The database search identified 13,626 records, these went through abstract and full text screen resulting in a final 15 records. This was supplemented by 2 records identified from hand searching the references, for a total of 17 articles. In addition to identifying Volunteers Roles and Responsibilities; Elements of Training; and Evaluation of Feasibility and Acceptability; a thematic analysis of the 17 records identified the categories: (1) Feasibility Promoting Factors; (2) Barriers to Feasibility; (3) Acceptability Promoting Factors; and (4) Barriers to Acceptability. Six programs were also identified in the online search of online training programs. These programs informed our understanding of delivery of existing online volunteer training programs.Discussion: Findings suggested that feasibility and acceptability of online training were promoted by (a) topic relevant training for volunteers; (b) high engagement of volunteers to prevent attrition; (c) mentorship or leadership component. Challenges to online training included a high workload; time elapsed between training and its application; and client attitude toward volunteers. Future research on online volunteer training should consider how online delivery can be most effectively paced to support volunteers in completing training and the technical skills needed to complete the training and whether teaching these skills can be integrated into programs.

Aspects of modern volunteer training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) measures can be performed by any trained person in an out-of-hospital setting. The 2020 American Heart Association recommendations simplify the algorithm for non-medical volunteers: to start CPR at the scene, it’s enough to register agonal breathing, and CPR itself can be performed in compression-only mode. These features should be taken into account when teaching volunteers the basics of CPR.

The Effects of Involvement in Training And Volunteering with Families of People With Dementia on The Knowledge and Attitudes of Volunteers Towards Dementia

Background: Volunteers have been a valuable resource in supporting people with dementia and their caregivers in the community. However, factors such as misconceptions, negative attitudes towards dementia, and a lack of motivation might impact the quality of volunteer care. The aim of the present paper is to examine the effect of training and service provision on the knowledge and attitudes of volunteers towards dementia, as well as the association between such knowledge and attitudes and the motivation to volunteer. Methods: The present study is part of an effectiveness-implementation cluster randomized clinical hybrid trial using a music-with-movement intervention to promote the well-being of people with dementia and their informal caregivers. Volunteers were recruited to receive training to support the delivery of the intervention. Training and enrichment workshops were offered to volunteers during the one-year project. Before and after their volunteer training and service, the recruited volunteers were asked to complete the following assessments: The Volunteer Functions Inventory, Dementia Attitudes Scale, and the Alzheimer’s Disease Knowledge Scale. Wilcoxon signed-rank test and multiple regression test were applied for statistical analyses. Results: A total of 127 volunteers were recruited and 81 of them completed a mean period of 47.32 weeks of training and service. Significant improvements in their total score on the Alzheimer’s Disease Knowledge Scale (p=.009) and Dementia Attitudes Scale (p<.001) were found. Dementia knowledge (β=.57, p<.001) and attitudes (β=-.18, p=.038) were found to have the most significant association with the motivation to be a volunteer at baseline. Conclusions: The present study illustrated the importance of quality volunteer training and voluntary service in improving the dementia knowledge and attitudes of volunteers. It also shed light on the association between knowledge and attitudes with the motivation to volunteer. Accordingly, future research and public health policymakers should address more efforts to amplify the advantage of volunteers as a vital asset in dementia care.Trial Registration: NCT03575026 (ClinicalTrials.gov), First registeration on 02/07/2018.