Thanks for your interest in supporting Craft Club. By sharing a little of your time and expertise you can help us get schools crafting once again – jolly nice of you, we think!
There are two potential levels of involvement:
As a workshop volunteer to go into schools and run clubs
As a volunteer trainer, to train other volunteers to run clubs
Craft Club uses ‘cascade learning’ to ensure the highest quality craft clubs and workshops are being delivered in UK schools. This means that we will train our trainers in teaching techniques and solid classroom management skills. They will pass these skills onto their local group of volunteers, who will then establish the clubs.
Benefits of participating
- Spend time doing something you love
- Gain some excellent teaching experience
- Get others passionate about your favourite craft, using your creativity to inspire great projects
- Have buckets of fun working with children and young people from your local community
Become a volunteer trainer
If you’re interested in attending one of our FREE volunteer training days and taking on a leading role, up-skilling members of your local volunteer network, please drop us an email. We will send you a job description and further information. We are asking trainers to undertake to pass on this training to their federation or local volunteer group.
We are pleased to now have some dates for the first Craft Club Volunteer Training for Trainers Days in Spring 2010:
- NFWI Denman College, Oxford, Friday 12th February
- NFWI, North East York Federation, Thursday 18th February
- The Bluecoat, Liverpool, Friday 5th March (postponed)
- Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, Friday 12th March
- Crafts Council, London, Friday 19th March
NB. Training days run from 10am-4pm, are FREE to attend, and include lunch and refreshments. Spaces are strictly limited, so register your interest now by emailing knit1@craftclub.org.uk or download the Application from the File Transfer area
Step 2: We will notify you as training and participation opportunities come up in your area. The first tier is for Volunteer Trainers (usually representatives of WI federations, or knitting or voluntary groups) who are our valuable engine for spreading the word about Craft Club to their networks, or approaching potential volunteers to increase participation. The Craft Club Team will provide Trainers with the resources, support and advice to do this.
Step 3: Volunteer Trainers will 'cascade' the content of their recent training, and success tips for setting up Craft Clubs, to groups of Workshop Volunteers. If you are a workshop volunteer, you will be orientated to working in a school environment, and interacting with children of various ages and abilities. We will ensure you have the support you need to feel confident leading your Craft Club.
Step 4: Get schools crafting! You’re now ready to pass on your skills to young people and get them excited about craft. Clubs will usually be after-hours (between 3.30pm and 7pm, or in weekends/ vacations). This will be agreed between you and your school partner.
Step 5: Continue your professional development using our Community area. Here you can share ideas, teaching resources, images and videos, and network with other crafters in your area.