Kirknewton Development Trust Skills and Volunteer Survey results 11 to 22 November 2011
Tony Foster, Development Officer in association with Big Lottery Fund
Skills and Volunteer Survey report The Skills and Volunteer survey took place over 11 days from 11th to 22nd November 2011. The objectives of the Skills and Volunteer survey were
To get an indication how many people currently volunteer in the village. To get an indication of what skills are currently available in the village. To get an indication of what types of volunteering goes on in the village.
This work was aimed to help
Facilitate skills and experience between individuals and current groups. Facilitate matching skills and experience to the objectives of the Development Plan and the starting of new groups. Get a base for the Volunteer Awards in 2012
In total there were 61 respondents – 55 responded online and 6 on paper. All households were sent a flyer direct to their home via Konect and by direct leaflet. 200 people were contacted by e mail via the school, 200 people via the facebook group, 135 people by the Development Trust e mail (although some respondents are on one or more of those e mail lists). It was advertised widely through all Kirknewton outlets and via the website, twitter, facebook and the Kirknewton blog. No incentives were offered for completing the survey (although we hope to invite all who participated to a proposed Volunteer Awards dinner in 2012) There were 15 questions and the survey took on average 5 minutes to complete. Survey results
Age range The age range of respondents is listed above. The largest group of respondents were between the ages of 35 to 44 (47.5%). It should be noted no one under the age of 21 responded to the survey, which highlights the lack of engagement/volunteering with young people in the community. Volunteering When asked if respondents currently volunteer in the village, 63.9% said yes (39 people) and 36.1% said no (22 people) When asked what groups they are involved with, 29% (18 people) said none and 19.7% of people were involved with other groups not listed or groups outside the village. The largest number of volunteers was involved with the Allotment Association and Community Development Trust, both with 16.4% (10 people each). It should be noted the Development Trust would be able to contact these groups in particular via e mail lists.
Primary School fundraising group the PSA was second with 13.1% of respondents (8 people). The school was also represented by the Parent Council with 8.2% of respondents (5 people). The Gala Committee had 9.8% (6 people) and the newly formed Park Action Group had the same percentage. 4 people were involved with the Community Association and 4 were on the Community Council. Potential volunteering opportunities When asked what groups they would like to be involved with, 24.6% (15 people) said they were involved with enough groups and 19.7% (12 people) said none of the groups. Most people were interested in the Walking Paths Development Group (21.3% - 13 people), the Community Development Trust and Cycle Paths Development Group each had 16.4% (10 people) and 11.5% (7 people) showed an interest in Primary School Fundraising. Times for volunteering In terms of times for participation, it seems week nights are best, with over 50.8% (31) of people available at that time. 34.4% (21 people) are available at weekends. Roughly 110 hours are free per week for volunteering from those who responded to the survey (a staggering 5720 hours a year). Project Development Skills There are a number of specific project development skills that were asked for. They are listed below. The village seems to have people with strengths in Project Planning Management (31.1% - 19 people), Public Speaking/Training (both 24.6% - 15 people) and Tendering and Procurement (14.8% -
9 people). 34.4% of respondents (21 people) were comfortable to tell us they had no skills in any of the areas listed.
Sharing knowledge 55.7% of respondents (34 people) wanted to work on the Kirknewton Community Development Plan and the same number of respondents were happy to share hobbies and skills with the school.
70.5% (43 people) were happy for us to pass on their information to other groups they may be interested in.
Open responses Represented areas in the village Area
Number of people
Braekirk Gardens
4
Caledonian Court
1
Churchill Way
3
Hallcraigs
1
Hillhouse Wynd
7
Hillhouse Terrace
1
Kaimes Place
3
Kirknewton Court
4
Main Street
4
Meadowbank Road
7
Meadowbank View
1
Milrig Holdings
2
Ormiston Steadings
3
Other
6
Park Terrace
2
Roosevelt Road
4
Station Mews
3
Station Road`
3
Whitemoss Lane
1
Whitemoss Road
1
Range of skills and hobbies The skills and hobbies listed by respondents were; Peer support breastfeeding Own local business Activity worker with the elderly Artist (specialising in street art, murals, stencil, art, portraits Walking – 4 people Specialised nursery nurse Pharmacist Sign language Florist Background in farming (livestock & arable) and online communications Energy Efficiency Expert Experience of working with children and young people La Leche League Leader (breastfeeding councillor) Building services design Football Baking – 3 people Former nursery head teacher Electrical/Lighting Quite crafty... Qualified veterinary nurse Military gunsmith! I have run my own business Civil engineer Presentation/public speaking African dance, drumming and teaching Singing Renewable energy expert Beekeeping - 2
IT Support / Project Planning Building problems causes and solutions Midwife & specialise in breastfeeding support Mountain Biking - 4 Qualified interior designer Admin/Clerical Art PC Hardware Preparing young people for university Sports Coaching & event management British Sign Language Glider Pilot & qualified BGA Instructor Civil Engineer NHS doctor - first aid / health and well being Handcrafts - sewing, knitting, crochet Audio Visual Event Specialist (projection, sound systems, lighting, systems etc.) Skiing Curling Petrol chainsaw, hedge trimmer & lawnmower Sustainable development expert
Policy officer for a homelessness charity Building construction Sewing B.A.hons Economic and Business Studies General DIY Trained first-aider Wood turner (No current facilities) Can cook and understand food I teach a variety of biological sciences to adults, might be useful for disseminating information about biodigesters (if it happens) to the public.
Basic counselling skills Gardening – 3 people Marathon running Rugby coaching Web Developer Golf Can recite a few Burns Poems A lot of experience working in the public sector/tourism sector Journalism Microsoft windows intermediate, Linux, Wi-Fi etc. Fitness S&C Preparing people for work experience Working with children & young people Growing Veg Can do computer aided design in 2D and 3D Business Mentoring ECB accredited cricket coach level
Drummer: 25 years of drumming experience (pipe band, electronic, rock, traditional) Gardening Communications/writing for the web, website development Training in energy efficiency Cost planning and scheme design reviews Walking / Countryside PGCE Rock climbing Likes tinkering with mechanical gadgets etc. Group work Cycle touring Good network of contacts Cycling – 3 people
Lawn Bowling Worked erecting marquees for 8 years as a summer job Competent administrator BSAC Qualified Scuba Instructor Work in sports industry - Scottish Rugby Languages polish, russian, german, czech Working in education Keeping chickens – 2 people Experienced cyclist Storytelling for kids Cooking - 2 Photoshop, MS Office, Adobe Pro, web dev. Tools Renewable energy systems feasibility and design Energy efficiency, recycling and waste management Counselling Dip in Guidance Fishing, shooting Reading Children's activities Hill walking (before children) Strong food interest and good home cook/baker Walking, cycling, skiing Rugby Phd, MSc, BA (Applied Linguistics) Applying for funding Yoga Experienced hillwalker including in winter People & Communities Motorbikes Eco houses
Counselling White water kayaking Artistic, can paint and draw (not the DIY sort) Beginner Astronomer Retail Management & sales Other volunteering Other volunteering in the village not covered in the survey and outwith the area included; NHS volunteer Breastfeeding Peer Volunteer at Waverley Care Badminton club through work We volunteer with Scripture Union Scotland running a camp for teenagers (S3-S6) each summer. East Calder cubs (Scout pack for Kirknewton & EC) – 2 people I sing in a community choir in Edinburgh The Child's Curriculum Group Volunteer twice a week in school helping with reading, writing, maths and craft. I volunteer for Boxer Welfare charity who kennel their dogs in Kirknewton prior to re-homing. Harperrig Management Group Fauch Hill Residents Group Helped out with the setting up the Gala gazebos etc. last year. Parent helper at school Was a member of BSAC21 (Edinburgh divers)
What respondents would like to see Volunteering and projects respondents would be interested in includes; A sign language group - not to set up at the moment, but attend. Kirknewton Primary School artworks – ongoing project Would like to be in a choir – 2 people I'm hoping to join the gala committee - just waiting for them to have their AGM. I would like to have a cooking/baking group to help people feed well on less money and enjoy food. Reading Group.
A youth club Duke of Edinburgh Book group Floral art Anything that promotes physical activity around the village would be good. A Saturday running club meeting in the park would be good. I am interested in setting up a support group for new mums in the village – we could have a skype/ face time contact or facebook link. I would love to see more for young people in the village - while this is not my field, I would be interested in this. Especially how we could involve them in volunteering. I also think a babysitting circle could be a good idea to set up. Could help if there was an interest in rugby Setting up groups for teenagers. De stress working mums walking club Helping the elderly/vulnerable during the winter Establishing multisport activities Beginners Running Group Fitness Group Would be interested in a Photography Club Music Appreciation Developing new community centre Disability issues Barriers to volunteering The biggest barrier to volunteering is childcare with 17 respondents noting this as an issue. Work commitments were second with only 4 respondents noting this as an issue.
Recommendations The recommendations from the report are to match current groups with people who have shown an interest in participating in those groups. To encourage taking forward ideas for new activities in the village, particularly sport and activities for young people. Encouraging respondents who have shown an interest in the Development Plan to help take forward the objectives that suit their skills and interests. To inform the school of people willing to give their time to talk to pupils about any relevant subjects. To ensure all groups are aware of engaging volunteers and to address barriers that prevent participation.
Thank you Thank you to everyone who took the time to participate in the Skills and Volunteer survey. I hope you find the results an interesting read Tony Foster, December 2011