Expand your skills and knowledge

We understand that wherever you may be in the world, you are most likely experiencing major changes to the comforts and challenges of your everyday life. Whether you are self-isolating or practicing social distancing, you probably have a little more time to spend indoors! 

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Although we are currently unable to connect you to our partner organisations across Europe to volunteer, we have been collecting a variety of  training sessions and resources you might be interested in. Why not use this unexpected time to learn and further develop your skills? All of what we have compiled is focused on volunteering and the humanitarian context of Europe’s refugee crisis – we hope it will help you feel even more prepared when volunteering later on.

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We will be adding more resources to our website over time so be sure to check back with us in the near future! Above all stay healthy, and we are already looking forward to connecting you with our partner organisations in the near future

Online Courses

The Human Hive

The best way to prepare for your volunteering experience is to take time to get some training before you leave. Indigo Volunteers has partnered with The Human Hive to provide both online and in person training which has been specifically designed for people supporting refugees in grass roots projects.

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Human Hive founders Darren Abrahams and Kate McAllister started their own volunteer journeys in the Calais Jungle refugee camp converting a double decker bus into a mobile school and developing a unique education system marrying their complementary skills as a teacher (Kate) and trauma therapist (Darren) to address the incredibly diverse needs of the people they met there.

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Darren and Kate have poured all their experience into created an online course “How To Make A Difference” to prepare you to be the most effective volunteer possible while also taking care of your own wellbeing.

The Human Hive have offered a discount to all Indigo Volunteers subscribers and a further discount to their 3 day in person training (TBC) on completion of the course.

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Price with discount code £32.50 + £6.40 (tax) = £39

This training will give you tools to manage the trauma you may encounter in the people you work with, teach you how to use your skills effectively to include others in your activities and give you a supervised real world experience before you leave home.

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Click here to start the course!

Edx

• Humanitarian response to conflict and disaster 
  Learn the principles guiding humanitarian response to modern emergencies, and the challenges faced in the field today.

• International Humanitarian Law
  Learn how international law regulates armed conflicts, protects individuals in wartime, and guarantees minimum compliance.

• Protecting Children in Humanitarian Settings
  Strengthen your approach to protecting and promoting the wellbeing of children in humanitarian settings using the latest evidence on childhood adversity and drawing on experiences from child protection practitioners.

• Working in teams: A practical guide
  Learn how to build effective teams, be a great team player and manage team conflict.
   

Coursera

• International Migrations: a global issue 
  The world is moving, but not all opinions and governments are willing to accept this poorly understood reality. The issue affects both states and the planet, in a process of globalization and of regionalization of migrations, and raises new questions for international relations, now including the South. This course aims at improving knowledge of the subject, addressing the key issues raised by international migration, and assessing the trends of tomorrow.

• Humanitarian Communication: Addressing key challenges
  Learn how to address the main challenges of communication in humanitarian settings and how to implement a communication plan in the midst of humanitarian action.

Disaster ready

Please note that you will need to register a free account to access these training sessions.

• Taking care of yourself during isolation 

• Do No Harm: A conflict sensitivity tool
   

Kaya

• Volunteer Essentials Pathway
  An interactive, scenario-focused pathway that introduces the core skills and knowledge needed to volunteer in the humanitarian sector.

• Safeguarding Essentials
  An interactive, scenario-focused course that will build your understanding of what safeguarding is and its importance in the humanitarian and development sector.

• Introduction to the Core Humanitarian Standard
  This course will help you to understand and apply the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS), and in doing so improve the quality, accountability and effectiveness of humanitarian responses.
   

The Skills Network

• Certificate in Equality and Diversity 

• Certificate in Principles of Team Leading

Other resources

WHO – World Health Organisation

This guide covers psychological first aid covering  humane, supportive and practical help to fellow human beings suffering serious crisis events. It is written for people in a position to help others who have experienced an extremely distressing event. It gives a framework for supporting people in ways that respect their dignity, culture and abilities. Despite its name, psychological first aid covers both social and psychological support.  Access the guide here.

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Calm

Calm has various resources to help you ground yourself and become more mindful over time. Have a look at their blog post here.