International Youth Volunteering with the United World College Red Cross Nordic in Norway

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1 International Youth Volunteering with the United World College Red Cross Nordic in Norway The International Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement is the largest humanitarian organisation in the world. It promotes humanitarian values and provides emergency help to people in short-term crises throughout the UK and around the world. The British Red Cross has ambitious plans to increase the engagement of young people to take action as humanitarian citizens. In joint partnership with our sister National Society, we are able to offer a unique long-term volunteering opportunity as an Activity Assistant at the United World Colleges Red Cross Nordic (UWC RCN) in Norway. THE CONTEXT Since 1995, the UWC Red Cross Nordic has offered an intensive two-year programme for 200 students from over 90 different countries. The students at the College are selected based on their personal abilities and academic results. In addition to a demanding academic programme, there is a particular emphasis on environmental and humanitarian issues as well as Nordic language and culture. More information about the College can be found at: UWC Connect is a separate entity owned in full by UWC Red Cross Nordic for the purpose of running the camp and outdoor for the College. Every autumn and spring UWC Connect runs the Leirskule a children s school camp for 16 weeks. The camp runs activity weeks for Norwegian schools, and is primarily intended for children aged around 12 years. All of the first year students at UWC Red Cross Nordic participate in the Leirskule programme as instructors. UWC Connect also run summer camps and the College outdoor programmes. The volunteer will be hosted by the College, but will mostly work with UWC Connect. The successful candidate will be offered a unique experience to learn about Norwegian culture whilst working in the incredibly diverse environment of the College. They will have exposure to the key humanitarian issues of today: the environment, intercultural differences, human rights and the fight against racism. THE ROLE

2 The placement comprises of a number of different tasks, each with a slightly different role. As the Activity Assistant, the volunteer will have the opportunity to be involved in the various offered during the Leirskule, College outdoorand other programmes. In the daytime, the Activity Assistant will help staff members lead outdoor with the children. s during Leirskule weeks might consist of the following: - helping to run an outdoor kitchen to make hot food and drinks - excursion to the local boat builder; leading walks in the local area; running a craft activity session - rowing a traditional Norwegian boat or canoeing Afternoons consist of further with the children, run by students from the College and supervised by the Activity Assistant. Sessions include kayaking, low rope activity, archery, skin diving, climbing and a local adventure race. One or two evenings per week, the Activity Assistant will help life guard the swimming pool. Once a week, during final night parties, the volunteer will help with fun and games for the children. The following is an example of a week of camp school: Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Breakfast Breakfast Breakfast Breakfast Breakfast Prepare week Greet children when they arrive gathering Boat and canoe Or gathering Excursion to Jensbua Lunch gathering Boat and canoe gathering, children leave Outdoor kitchen Crafts and hike Outdoor kitchen Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch Meet children, meet with teachers Staff meeting Afternoon Prepare Afternoon Prepare Afternoon Prepare next week, maintenance Dinner Dinner Dinner Dinner Dinner Life guarding Or Lifeguard

3 Help with party During the initial induction phase, the volunteer will assist our experienced instructors in all. As the volunteer gains knowledge and experience he/she will be expected to run sessions independently, and also supervise groups of students running sessions. In all that demand specialist knowledge or skills a qualified instructor will be present. There will be periods of time such as the busy Leirskule weeks, where some extra hours will be expected. Outside of the camp school season, tasks are fewer and more flexible in nature. The volunteer might get involved in run jointly with the College, such as Ski Week attended by 100 students and members of staff. The volunteer would be in charge of the cross-country equipment, and helping with ski lessons if they have prior knowledge. During the winter months, the volunteer will be expected to show initiative. This might include getting involved in for the College students, improving the equipment & facilities of the College and/or camp school, etc. In the summer months, the volunteer will be expected to assist with some of the other camps hosted by the College. These include those designed for disabled young people or low-income families. Activities and sessions tend to be similar to those run in Leirskule camp. The following is a rough overview of the year for the volunteer: January February March April College Summer camp Winter break Prepare project week Project week Prepare ski week Maintenance Own initiatives Ski week Own initiatives Pass on and wrap up projects Prepare leirskule Project week Prepare leirskule Easter break Training week for students and volunteer

4 May June Pack up after season/maintenance Boat trips with students Prepare for summer camps July August Summer break Summer break for students Help with summer camp organization and Summer break September October November Prepare season Pack up after season/maintenance Some maintenance tasks for volunteer. Flexible hours Project week November break for students December Own initiatives Winter break QUALITIES WE ARE LOOKING FOR

5 The successful candidate will be aged 20-30, and will also demonstrate the following: Committed, mature and independent work ethic Excellent communication and social skills Adaptability and ability to cope with new challenges Keen interest in outdoor physical and working with young people An interest in the work of the Red Cross and the United World College movement Fluent English & willingness to learn and communicate in Norwegian Willingness to live in a very rural community and ability to cope with a rough climate at times And most importantly, a commitment to youth, volunteering and global humanitarian issues PRACTICALITIES The placement will run from mid- August 2014 for 12 months. The successful candidate will be fully funded and accredited through the European Voluntary Service (EVS) scheme of the European Commission. More detailed information about EVS can be found at Our priority is to recruit young people who would otherwise not have access to such international opportunities. All travel and accommodation will be covered, in addition to a small monthly allowance of 145. The EVS volunteer will live in a house on site, sharing with other European volunteers at the college. Most meals will be at the school, but there are possibilities for self-catering too. The placement is based on a full-time 35-hour week. Flexible working hours will sometimes be necessary, but any extra hours worked will always be compensated for at a later date. There are also 5 weeks of holidays during the placement, most of which will need to be taken during the College holiday periods. Volunteers at the Red Cross are highly valued for the skills and energy they bring to our work. The successful candidate will receive pre-departure and on-arrival training from both the Red Cross and the European Commission, as well as have access to support and supervision throughout the duration of the placement. Location: Flekke, Norway Reporting to both: Richard Lamont Head of UWC Red Cross Nordic Ragnhild Tveiten UWC Connect

6 Katherine Smart, Programme Coordinator International Youth Volunteering, British Red Cross Applications: Interested individuals should complete the application form available to download from the webpage and return it to Katherine Smart by 1 st May 2014 with your name and Norway Opportunity in the subject heading of the . Interviews: Suitable candidates will be invited for an interview in London with Katherine Smart on 11 th June We have applied for funding from the European Commission for these roles and should know if this is secured by early August. Any offer of a placement will be provisional on a positive response for this. British Red Cross pre-departure training dates are likely to be in August.