Exchange 2 Improve

WHERE

The House of Skills is a centre of activities (neighbourhood centre) located in the suburb of Karhuvuori in Kotka run by the Kymi branch of the Finnish Red Cross. The basic mission of the House of Skills is to increase the well-being of the people living in the neighbourhood by strengthening their sense of community and offering opportunities for developing one’s skills. Most of the activities are carried out by FRC volunteers; lectures about civics for immigrants, discussion groups, lessons in English and Finnish, handiwork, activity groups for children, group for immigrant ladies, exercise groups etc. The House of Skills also offers advice, especially for immigrants in questions regarding daily life in Finland and contacts with authorities. It aims at becoming an established centre of activities in its neighbourhood and a provider of services for all residents of the suburb, especially immigrants.

Setting goals for success in volunteer management is important

In 2006, the centre had seven people in subsidised employment and eight work trainees. The number of regular volunteers was approximately 12.

The House of Skills was a partner in the EQUAL Development Partnership Response.

WHY

Being part of the Finnish Red Cross, the operations of which are fundamentally based on the input of volunteers in its local branches, it is important for the House of Skills to show the results related to volunteering. After undertaking the practice of social accounting in 2006, the House of Skills needed to define its goals related to volunteering more precisely. In the social accounts, the House of Skills wishes to highlight its most important social results, including those related to volunteering.

These results have to do with, firstly, volunteering as a resource in service production and as a producer of added value to society and, secondly, the positive effects of voluntary work on the volunteers themselves.

HOW

Objectives and indicators of successful results

The objectives in the social budget derive from the basic mission, operating idea and key strategic objectives of the House of Skills. For the House of Skills, detailed goals for volunteering were set for the first time in its first social budget prepared in 2006. Defining the fulfilment of a certain goal by setting the level of indicator is difficult (e.g. 70% of volunteers feel that…) and in the first social budgeting phase this was somewhat of an experiment. It will be easier to set targets for year 2007 when the first cycle of social accounting has been completed and the experiences and measurement results from year 2006 are available.

Goal: Volunteers as a resource in service production

• Indicators:
  • The total number of volunteers in year 2006 is 20 (source of information: statistics)
  • The number of regular volunteers who report their voluntary work hours is 10 (source of information: statistics)
  • The total number of volunteer work hours in 2006 is 1000 (source: statistics)
  • House of Skills has provided support for immigrants in learning the Finnish language (source: case study)

Goal: The House of Skills has brought new meaning and joy in the life of volunteers

• Indicators:
  • 70% of volunteers feel that they can use their own skills for the benefit of the House of Skills (source: personnel survey)
  • 70% of volunteers feel that volunteering at the House of Skills significantly enhances their general level of activity in life (source: personnel survey)
  • 70% of volunteers feel that volunteering at the House of Skills is for them an important source of meaning and joy in life (source: personnel survey)

Goal: The House of Skills has promoted the open-mindedness of its volunteers

• 50% of volunteers feels that volunteering at the House of Skills significantly enhances their tolerance and broadens their views (source: personnel survey)

Measurement

The sources of information used for the above indicators are statistics and the personnel survey. Statistical data, including number of voluntary work hours, is being recorded on a regular basis.

The personnel survey is conducted once a year in the autumn. The answers are grades on a scale of 1 to 5 (completely disagree – completely agree) and the target is that a certain percentage of respondents (e.g. 70%) gives grade 4 or 5.

Examples of results

• Indicators:
  • The total number of volunteers in year 2006 is 20
    Result: 18 volunteers (a list of names included)
  • The number of regular volunteers who report their voluntary work hours is 10
    Result: 7 regular volunteers (a list of names included)
  • The total number of volunteer work hours in 2006 is 1,000
    Result: 1,890 hours

• Indicators:
  • 70% of volunteers feel that they can use their own skills for the benefit of the House of Skills
    Result: 83%
  • 70% of volunteers feel that volunteering at the House of Skills significantly enhances their general level of activity in life
    Result: 67%

Actions taken and lessons learnt

The questionnaire has proven useful and it will be continued to be used in the future. It will be revised on the basis of feedback and experiences gained. The results of the personnel survey and the necessary development actions are discussed in House of Skills staff meetings.

Transferability

The practice can be transferred to organisations that produce services by voluntary work input and provide opportunities for volunteering.

Enclosure: The House of Skills personnel survey to volunteers

For more information: Raisa Soini, raisa.soini(at)kotka.fi