Developing Skills Through Volunteer Expeditions
Over the years, as our strap line says, we’ve sought to ‘connect people to change lives’. This has been done in a wide variety of ways, including many volunteers visiting one of our partner programmes in Peru or Tanzania.
At Vine Trust, we are passionate about volunteering for many reasons, particularly the reciprocal benefits that these opportunities can bring to all involved.
Over the next few weeks we’ll be sharing about how this ‘connecting’ of volunteers with people and communities in the programmes has enriched the lives of so many in a variety of different ways, including testimony from our partners about how volunteers can help and support their work.
Hard and Soft Skills
A core element of Vine Trust’s volunteer programmes is to create opportunities for bi-lateral learning. To achieve this, expeditions are specifically designed with our partners to allow the sharing and transfer of expertise and knowledge on a wide range of areas.
Visiting medical volunteers, for example, work under the guidance of Peruvian/Tanzanian health professionals to learn about local practice and methodology when it comes to the diagnosis and treatment of diseases which are common in that setting.
In addition, to gain a better understanding of the situation, volunteers are also given insight into the social, cultural and economic factors which impact health in the region. The expeditions provide opportunities to visit the communities, to see and hear about what daily life is like and some of the challenges that exist. Volunteers don’t just spend time on the ship, but also visit the homes and places of work of the patients who come for medical attention.
Having been part of a multicultural and multidisciplinary team, learning from each other, volunteers return home reporting many positive impacts on their professional and personal lives:
* 92% of medical volunteers in 2019-20 reported that the experience had enhanced their communication skills.
* 88% reported that the opportunity had enhanced their clinical skills.
* 99% indicated that the visit had enhanced their understanding of delivering healthcare to communities with a different context and culture to their own.
* 91% stated that the experience had reinforced their professional capability.
These are just some of the reasons why we’re passionate about volunteering. When done properly, the benefits are reciprocal and transformative.
Learn more…
Read more about volunteering opportunities, including medical expeditions which are currently open for volunteer applications – www.vinetrust.org/volunteer/medical-expeditions
To request further information or to request a phone call to discuss opportunities to join a future expedition, please send an email to health@vinetrust.org