Developing a volunteer training approach which combines e-learning with in- person learning.

The CoPPer team, led by our Dutch colleagues, is currently developing the training content for the project’s European wide training programme for volunteering in probation. After some deliberation and reviewing evidence on the most effective approaches to learning, the decision was made to combine e-learning with in-person learning. This combination of both learning approaches is considered as very important. The inclusion of e-learning modules provides the opportunity for volunteer participants to prepare in the comfort of their own home and at a time that is suitable for them. It is hoped that this will encourage a wider range of volunteers to be interested in supporting volunteer probation work.

The in-person learning elements of the CoPPer volunteer training is considered equally important for two reasons. Firstly, because of the centrality of relationships in probation work, it is important to mirror this in the volunteer training. And secondly, because volunteers get an opportunity to form a peer network during the training.