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vtalent

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Oxfordshire County Council is one of 33 local authorities offering 30 placements over two years to young people.

VTalentYear has been running since March 2009. This government initiative aims to get young people (aged 16-25) involved in children’s services that otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity.

This section of the website aims to give information on:

  • how VTalentYear works
  • updates on events and news
  • information on how to apply for next year's programme

How vTalentYear works

There are lots of different parts to the VTalentYear programme:

Residentials

Volunteers go on two residentials over the year, the first one in March 2010 (for five days). This residential sets the scene of VTalentYear what we expect from you and what you can expect from us. A chance to meet the other volunteers on the programme, get to know each other, build the VTalent team and start your volunteering journey.

About half way through (September/October 2010) volunteers have a midway residential a chance to take some time out to reflect on the journey so far and the skills volunteers have learned. An opportunity to think about what happens after VTalent and how volunteers might use their personal development grant.

Oxfordshire Induction

The volunteer’s welcome to Oxfordshire County Council, two weeks of induction and training to help volunteers understand their new role in the County Council. From safeguarding, to health and safety, to working with children young people and families, all the basics will be covered.

Placement

Finding the right placement match is the key to our whole programme, we work with you to find out what you’re interested in. Your placement will be matched as closely as possible to what you really feel passionate about. We also work hard to make sure you’re not traveling too far to get to your placement each day.

Study Days

The VTalentYear team meets regularly (at least every two weeks) to do training to complete a community volunteering qualification, alongside other relevant qualifications (volunteers will also have the chance to complete their Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award, their Arts Award).

Children’s rights

A key part to your placement will be learning about children’s rights and putting them into action in your placement. Full training will be given and you will be supported to undertake some work as part of your year long experience.

Personal Development Grant

One of the aims of VTalent is to support volunteers into the “what’s next” in their life, through placement and study days volunteers will find out lots of things that they are good at and enjoy, and may want to do as a career.
Volunteers who complete VTalentYear are eligible to apply for a personal development grant of up to £1500 to support them into further education, training, employment or extended volunteering opportunities.

VTalent Stories

Find out more about the volunteers:

News and Events

Keep your finger on the pulse, VTalentYear news and events hot off the press:

How to apply for next year!

Please click the link above to find out how to apply for next year's programme.

this year

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