VOLUNTEERING

Fast Forward's Volunteer Project
Fast Forward has been working with young people as volunteers since 1987. Our volunteer programme has been specifically funded for over six years to encourage individuals who have experience of social exclusion into volunteering. It provides the extra support, time and resources necessary to ensure a positive volunteering experience which we believe has a positive impact and can lead to education, training and employment.

Volunteer Recruitment
Volunteers are recruited from a variety of sources including Volunteer Centres, schools, colleges or via our website. We also offer a referral resource to many 'frontline' organisations, working with specific issues such as substance misuse or homelessness. By working closely with referral agencies and support workers a complete provision of support can be offered to young volunteers.

Volunteer Training
Volunteers are provided with comprehensive training to equip them with the skills and knowledge to be involved with the work of Fast Forward.

Training includes:
	Drugs and alcohol knowledge
	Group-work
	Presentation skills
	Facilitation skills
	Child protection
	Equal opportunities

We also offer training sessions which focus on personal and social development to build confidence and self esteem.

Volunteer work Our team of volunteers are deployed in all aspects of Fast Forward work and include:
	Delivering drug alcohol and tobacco education sessions to other young people in schools and youth clubs.
	Bringing the young person's perspective, knowledge and experience to training for adults.
	Designing, developing and publishing resources for young people.
	Setting up volunteer forums, getting together with other volunteer agencies to share knowledge and ideas.
	Conference planning, development and presentations.
	Creating recruitment programmes for new volunteers, including CD-ROM development.
	Fast Forward fundraising committee membership. Assisting with research work.
	Representing the volunteers and bringing the young person's perspective to the Board of Directors.

The work offers young people who may have difficulties returning to education or entering employment the opportunity to develop a range of skills and experiences which will contribute towards their CV.

Volunteer Support
The volunteer programme is structured to provide support to individuals in a variety of ways. A designated Volunteers Manager is responsible for the day-to-day welfare of the young people whilst involved in Fast Forward's work. The Volunteers Manager will establish and maintain links with a wide range of support agencies and referral agencies in order to be able to direct young people to the appropriate service should they require additional support.

We also provide:
	Travel expenses, volunteers should never be out of pocket when working with us.
	Food when working.
	Development plans.
	Six monthly reviews, with planning ahead and constructive feedback.
	One to one support sessions when required.
	A supportive, non-judgemental group environment.
	Social events.
	Team building.
	Policies and practice guidelines to help them with their work.
	References.

How to Refer Volunteers If you have a young person aged between 16 and 25 years of age, who would benefit from a supported environment such as this and has an interest in:
	Making new friends and becoming part of a team.
	Learning new skills and gaining knowledge.
	Drug alcohol and tobacco issues.
	Passing on information to others.
	Completing accredited pieces of work.
	Gaining references after six months.

If the young person is interested an application form will need to be completed and two referees provided. A disclosure check is also required as the young person will be in contact with under 16's as part of the peer education work. Fast Forward will organise this and cover any costs incurred (obtaining a birth certificate for example).

Young people who have criminal convictions are welcome as volunteers, however, certain convictions may prevent involvement with some activities. Unfortunately, in compliance with the Children Act 1987, Fast Forward cannot involve those who have been committed of, or where there is intelligence relating to, a Schedule 1 offence.

Young people aged 16-25 from a wide range of backgrounds are recruited as volunteers
Volunteers are trained in relevant skills, including drugs knowledge, groupwork and presentation skills. They are involved in all aspects of the organisation including their own peer education work, delivery of adult training, development of publications and as members of the Board of Directors.

PERCS is a project operated within the volunteer programme that aims to highlight the role for volunteers and  promote the use of  peer education on substance misuse in rural and isolated communities across Scotland.