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

To find out more about support available and referral procedures, please click here.

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.