Youth volunteers benefit from genuine experiences of active citizenship and volunteering
When asked about the training programme which prepared volunteers for the work ahead all mean scores were above the midpoint of 3 out of a maximum of 5. The highest rated aspect of the training programme was making it to the pass out parade held at Tulliallan Police College (with a mean score of 4.61). This is followed by a mean score of 4.25 relating to preparing for volunteering opportunities. Another popular aspect of training was drill which achieved a mean score of 4.14. Lower mean scores were awarded to the introduction and scene setting inputs (a mean of 3.91) and learning about self-evaluation used within the training (a mean of 3.8). It may therefore be possible to consider ways of making the evaluation methods more participatory and engaging for young people in future.
Responses to aspects of the volunteering experience were extremely positive with all achieving a mean score of 4 or more (see chart below). The highest mean score of 4.25 related to the organisation, leadership and management of PSYV which on the whole reflected being well briefed to be at the right place and the right time and wearing the right uniform.
Youth volunteers felt well supported to carry out tasks (mean score of 4.24) and felt they were given opportunities to develop their skills and knowledge (4.22).
There are some suggestions that time commitments need more careful monitoring and that more effort is made to make sure volunteers are not out of pocket for work they do as part of PSYV.