FAQs

Got a question about Team v? Check out our FAQs below. If your question has not been answered then please email us at Teamv@vinspired.com and we will get back to you with an answer.

What are the goals of the programme?

The programme aims to inspire and empower young people to be a positive force for social change. The programme will enable participants to:

1. Know and understand the communities within which they volunteer
2. Understand key social issues and identify creative local responses
3. Develop and maintain positive relationships with individuals and groups
4. Research, plan, organise and evaluate their activities
5. Organise and manage financial and human resources
6. Learn new skills, reflect on personal development and community impact and support others to do the same
7. Promote and facilitate collective action to bring about positive change.

How is this programme funded?

vInspired is resourcing this programme with the help of our partners (see below), through core funding from government and through fundraising.

Who are the partners and what is their role?

vInspired is working with three partners to deliver Team v. They are: The National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE), The Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) and The Rank Foundation. All three partners are experienced in funding youth volunteering projects and in developing opportunities for young people to reach their potential. Together we promote, deliver and resource the programme. We will all work to ensure the programme engages a diverse range of young people and develops their skills.

Who can apply?

Young people living in England who are between 18 and 25 from October 2013 – 30th June 2014 apply to be Team v leaders. Applicants can be in work, training or education or or looking for great opportunities to develop their skills – so long as they are able to commit to volunteering 5 hours per week from October 2013 – June 2014. We’re keen to find young people who have the confidence, commitment, and passion to engage others in running local campaigns.  Applications for Team v leaders for 2013 will open on 1st May 2013.Young people living in England who are between 16 and 25 can also apply to volunteer with a Team v leader until May 2013. However much time you have available, and whatever your skill set, your local Team v leader may have a role for you. Find out which leader is closest to you and get in touch with them on our Team v leader map.

Where will the programme be running?

The programme will be running in locations across England – in the local communities of Team v Leaders. Unfortunately we cannot currently recruit Team v Leaders who do not live in England.

What level of experience is needed by the volunteers?

vInspired recognises that this programme requires young people to take on leadership roles and volunteer management responsibilities and, as such, our recruitment process is designed to help us find creative, confident, passionate and entrepreneurial young people who can lead change. We will be looking for those with some volunteering experience – whether this is formal volunteering or just having given up some time to help someone in your community. If you have no volunteering experience at all but can demonstrate a real passion for social change, we’d still like to hear from you. 

What is the role of Team v Leaders?

Team v Leaders will each recruit a core team of young volunteers in their area, and work with them to plan and deliver three campaigns addressing specific social issues. Leaders will be responsible for managing team budgets, creating the campaign plan, and liaising with Team v HQ. They will also need to ensure that their activity is safe and in line with the campaign objectives.

How is vInspired supporting the leaders?

Each leader will be allocated a lead contact at vInspired (a designated Youth Network Coordinator, aka YNC). The YNC will offer support via face to face meetings, email, phone and online social networks. The YNC will visit at least one of the campaigns run by each leader and their team during the year. Leaders will also have support and training at the three residential training weekends they attend.

Can you tell us more about the campaigns? 

The campaigns themes will be informed by focus groups held to see what issues matter the most to young people. They will be delivered by the young people and focus on addressing social problems in creative and innovative ways. Last year’s campaigns were to tackle food poverty, reduce isolation among older people and to improve literacy among children through the power of stories. Take a look at our campaigns page to find out more.

What resources will the leaders get to help them run the campaigns?

The leaders will get a starter kit, which will include some of the key promotional materials including hoodies, t-shirts, bunting, certificates for volunteers and a handbook.  For each campaign, the leaders will hold a budget, to pay for the delivery of the campaign. They will also be provided with posters and leaflets which they can adapt to advertise their events. Leaders will need to put in a budget proposal with their initial project plan, to be signed off by their YNC. We will be encouraging the leaders to be as creative and entrepreneurial as possible in their approach to planning and executing their campaigns.

What if a Team v Leader does not complete all three campaigns?

Team v leaders will be asked to commit to the full 10 month programme, but we understand that sometimes circumstances change. Where a Team v leader is unable to fulfill their commitment, they will be supported to create an action plan to address succession and what happens to the rest of the team. If, after all other avenues have been explored, the leader decides to leave the programme, they are free to do so, but will not be entitled to access the Team v scholarship.

Why isn’t the programme open to 16-17 year olds?

There are a wide range of great opportunities for 16 and 17 year olds featured on www.vinspired.com including the National Citizens Service (NCS). The young leaders taking part in Team v will be responsible for organising and delivering campaigns, and managing other volunteers aged 16+. Due to the level of responsibility the leaders will take for the safety and welfare of their volunteers and running the campaigns, vInspired needs to ensure that the leaders are old enough to carry such responsibilities. There are a number of safeguarding responsibilities and considerations when working with 16-17 year olds, and vInspired is unable to offer enough support to under-18s to allow them to operate as leaders whilst maintaining this duty of care. 

What can the Team v Scholarship be used for?

On completion of the programme, Team v leaders can apply for a scholarship to support and fund their onward progression. The grant could be used for a variety of educational purposes including a contribution towards university fees, training and personal development activities, or coaching. vInspired has guidance outlining what the grant can be used for, and leaders will be supported to identify appropriate opportunities when they are nearing completion of the programme.

Why is the Team v scholarship given at the end of the programme?

During the programme, Team v leaders are provided with a budget which is designed to cover their out of pocket expenses (e.g. travel and subsistence) and project costs. Team v leaders also reimburse expenses for other volunteers involved in the programme. The scholarship is intended to support the leaders to make effective onward transitions at the end of the programme, helping them progress into education, training or employment. This proved a critical success factor in our vTalent Year programme and is key to retention and continuity of leadership.

How will young people be kept safe?

All staff supporting the programme will have an enhanced CRB check, as will all Team v leaders to ensure that they are safe to work in their communities. All Team v leaders will be trained in risk management and keeping people safe – a key transferable skill which will support employability. For each campaign, leaders will need to submit a campaign proposal which outlines their project idea, how they plan to deliver it, and a risk assessment. All proposals will be assessed by vInspired staff to ensure they are achievable, safe, and in line with the direction of the campaign. Once the leaders have the go-ahead, they will be responsible for ensuring that they manage all the risks they have identified to the best of their ability. The programme is designed to enable young people to take action in their communities whilst minimising bureaucracy and red tape. 

How will the impact of the programme be evaluated?

The first year of the programme has been evaluated by CFE - an external Research and Consultancy Specialist Group. CFE have been tracking the personal development of Team v leaders and their volunteers through surveys, as well as the impact of the campaigns on communities through holding community juries. vInspired have used all the evaluation to inform the on-going development of the programme, as well as to showcase the contributions made by the Team v participants. Their final report will be published in January 2013. 

How can I find out more?

If you have any questions about Team v or would like to discuss the opportunity with anyone, please email Teamv@vinspired.com or call 020 7960 7039 and a member of our team will be happy to talk to you! 

You can also follow us on Twitter @vinspired_teamv or visit us on facebook.com/vinspiredteamv and post on the wall to ask current Team v leaders your questions.