Study Guide

Objective

· you understand the basic principles of voluntary work and its role and position in the service system
· you understand the meaning of voluntary work and its limits from the perspectives of different parties
· you are familiar with and recognise voluntary work organisations in social and education services
· you are able to interact with clients or clients groups in your work, supporting their well-being
· you are familiar with the concept of social sustainability and are able to comply with it

Content

· studying the principles, values and methods of voluntary work and/or participating in a voluntary work training
· performing voluntary work in a social and education service organisation or another organisation
· reflection on the experiences of voluntary work

Student workload

135h

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

To pass the course, the required number of hours must be completed and the required documents must be returned successfully to the Itslearning course platform.

Content scheduling

Voluntary work placements are carried out in a third-sector organisation in the social and educational sector. It can also be carried out outside the third sector, if the activity is clearly voluntary work and not free basic work in the social and educational sector.

Voluntary work should be client work. In their voluntary work, students can seek out client groups and social work topics that are important to them and gain experience for their future career. The aim is also to understand the importance of volunteering in the social service field. Organisations and third sector actors play an important role in people's everyday lives as complements to municipal and statutory services. This course offers the student freedom of choice and the opportunity to complete the course on their own schedule. Please note: Voluntary work is not paid.

The course is completed independently during the studies. The right time can be planned with the tutor-teacher. You can register for the course right at the beginning of your studies and get familiar with the Itslearning material.

Course enrollment and Itslearning:

Students will have access to Itslearning and course materials once the enrollment has been approved.
The spring 2025 enrollment and review dates for planned voluntary work places are:
28.2.2025, 31.3.2025, 30.4.2025 and 31.5.2025.

These dates are also return dates for documents of completed voluntary work. The teacher has three weeks to check the returned documents and make an assessment mark. Wait patiently for the assessment to be completed.

Method of execution and number of hours:

The student searches for a voluntary work position independently. Students must receive orientation for their volunteer work in the organization. Volunteering can also be done in several organisations, at least one of which organises orientation.

The total amount of volunteer work must be 135 hours. In addition to actual client work, its preparation and the reporting of the hours, this includes finding a voluntary work place (max. 5h), orientation (max. 15h) and writing a final reflection of 1-2 pages (max. 5h). The hours are noted on a time tracking form, which is signed by a representative of the organization after the voluntary work has ended.

The accumulation of hours may vary depending on the nature of the volunteer work. Volunteering hours can be done at your own pace throughout your studies. Please note: For camp activities we accept a maximum of 12 hours per day.

Documents to be returned:

During the course, the student submits four documents to Itslearning:
1. Information on planned volunteering (before start)
2. Electronically signed contract with a voluntary organisation (before start)
3. Time tracking form + 1-2 page reflection (at the end)
4. A free-form signed certificate of work performed by a representative of the volunteering organisation (at the end). The certificate contains the following information: Name of the organization, period, duties, number of hours, mention of orientation.

Please avoid individual queries. If you have doubts about the suitability of your volunteer position, you can check with Emmi Brunel, the teacher in charge. There is no need to ask about credit transfer matters separately, but the student submits the application according to the instructions.

Credit transfer:
Students who have volunteered in a social or educational organisation and meet the course requirements in terms of hours and training can apply for accreditation using the competence demonstration form and attachments from Olli Toivonen according to the instructions on Messi's website.

Assessment: Pass/Fail

Evaluation scale

Hyväksytty/Hylätty