Performance

Performance

VCA Workplan 2009- 2010
Our workplan for 2009 - 2010 builds on the successes of last year such as our training for volunteer involving organisations (VIOs), our work with schools and development of the Aberdeenshire Volunteer Coordinators Forum.

For this year’s work plan we have taken into account feedback from VIOs and other stakeholders, Aberdeenshire Citizens Panel and outcomes from a consultation with older people last year. It also reflects targets set by our major funders, the Scottish Government and Aberdeenshire Council and new contracts to work with schools and the long-term unemployed. The workplan also reinforces VCA’s contribution to the Aberdeenshire’s Single Outcome Agreement, in particular:

Building strong, resilient and supportive communities
Supporting young people to become successful learners, confident individuals, effective contributors and responsible citizens
Strengthening the local economy and improving employment opportunities for people in Aberdeenshire

During 2009-2010 there will be a general effort to increase the number, range and quality of volunteering opportunities available to Aberdeenshire residents. This will apply especially to opportunities suitable for young people. Working towards this there will be a new set of national minimum standards for volunteer opportunities, a focus on providing more one–off opportunities and continued efforts to increase the number of VIOs signed up for the MV award.

A major piece of work, funded by Aberdeenshire Council will be to support volunteering as a learning choice for those leaving school at 16 (More Choices More Chances). This will see VCA placing young people into volunteering opportunities, building the capacity of schools to help pupils into volunteering and finally providing training to VIOs so they are better equipped to make the most of the energy and enthusiasm of young volunteers.

The Employability agenda is also being supported by VCA, with partnership work with Job Centre Plus to promote volunteering as a positive choice for the unemployed, as a means of helping them maintain and develop new skills for work whilst benefiting local organisations and communities.

Demand for VCA’s services is large and increasing; from volunteers, referrers and volunteering involving organisations (VIOs). As can be seen in our statistics below, there has been a huge increase of the number of enquiries from volunteers and volunteer involving organisations as a result of the implementation of our marketing plan. Thus efficient use of existing resources is vital. For example, our website is being developed to deliver more of our services online.

VCA is also part of the Scotland wide network of volunteer centres and we will be maintaining links through networks of VC managers, IT development groups and youth work and training practitioners to ensure we keep abreast of and influence important national developments.

Closer to home we will continue to engage with relevant networks, partners and Aberdeenshire’s Community Planning Partnership to ensure that the importance of volunteering in supporting national and local outcomes is understood, supported and resourced.

VCA Statistics 2008-09

General
% of adults in Aberdeenshire participated in volunteering	32% Source: Scottish Household Survey (SHS)
Nominal contribution to the local economy	£69 million Source: Volunteer Development Scotland (VDS)

VCA - Statistics
Organisations	Baseline	Cumulative	%	What does it mean or show?
Organisations	01-Apr-08	2008-09	increase
Number of organisations registered with VCA	407	51	13%	Number of organisations in Aberdeenshire who registered their volunteering opportunities with VCA
Number of volunteering opportunities registered with VCA	392	255	65%	Number of volunteering opportunities registered with VCA and promoted on volunteerscotland website
Number of volunteers enquiries	230	976	424%	The volume of enquiries from volunteers visiting, telephoning or emailing the office or staff visiting volunteers
Number of volunteers registered with VCA	748	259	35%	Number of volunteers who chose to leave their details with VCA

Youth Volunteering
Number of organisations registered for MV Awards	26	15	58%	Number of young people registered for MV, a youth volunteering award.
Number of youth volunteering (MV) opportunities	74	29	39%	Number of new youth volunteering opportunities regsitered with VCA
Number of secondaries schools registered for MV	1	2	200%	Number of schools in Aberdeenshire participating in the MV scheme
Number MV volunteers	197	184	93%	Number of young people registered for MV
50 hours	12	26	217%	Number of young people achieved 50 hour award
100 hours	7	12	171%	Number of young people achieved 100 hour award
200 hours	7	3	43%	Number of young people achieved 200 hour award

Training
Number of training sessions offered	6	15	250%	Number of volunteer management training sessions carried out
Number of participants attended	44	219	498%	Number of volunteer co-ordinator or managers who increased competence in volunteer management

Complaints
Number of complaints	1	0	0%	Measure of general dissatisfaction with VCA service delivery