Kontakt 2008, 10(1):125-132 | DOI: 10.32725/kont.2008.018

Importance of training of volunteers in the health - social sphereHealth and Social Sciences

Bohdana Břízová^*, Šárka Koubová

Jihočeská univerzita v Českých Budějovicích, Zdravotně sociální fakulta, katedra supervize a odborné praxe

The target of the work is a quantitative evaluation of the importance of the training of volunteers for the voluntary activity in different volunteer programmes in the health and social sphere.
The following methods of the data accumulation were employed for the quantitative research: controlled dialogue and questionnaire. Volunteers and coordinators of volunteer programmes implemented in the health and social sphere were included into the group monitored. The data required indicated that coordinators of the volunteer programme consider the training of volunteers as necessary for the performance of the volunteer activity and as the most important benefit for the volunteers they consider practical training of the skills necessary. It was furthermore demonstrated that the training helps the volunteer to perform quality voluntary activities. The training strengthens the motivation to becoming a volunteer and also reduces fears and uncertainty of volunteers resulting from the volunteer activity.
The volunteers are currently involved in all the spheres of the human activity. The health and social sphere is the most extensive area of the action of volunteers. In this field, the volunteer activity is very tedious and thus, a professional attitude is necessary. It also includes the training of volunteers. The training serves the volunteer for strengthening of his/her motivations, qualification of his/her role in the volunteer programme. The training of volunteers also prevents future misunderstandings between the volunteer, client and organization.

Keywords: volunteer; volunteer activity; volunteer programme; coordinator of volunteers; training of volunteers

Received: February 25, 2008; Accepted: May 2, 2008; Prepublished online: June 27, 2008; Published: July 27, 2008  Show citation