In September 2015, we ran three one-day training sessions in London and Cardiff, training over 80 volunteers, most of whom were working in Calais. The training included sessions on needs assessment, distribution, the Sphere standards, and accountability. "We aimed to help volunteers to work as efficiently and safely as possible - while respecting the dignity of the families and individuals they were assisting," explains Programme Manager Katie Robertson.
The success of these pilot courses helped to secure funding from the Humanitarian Leadership Academy, enabling us to train a further 100 volunteers through four two-day courses. This time, training took place in London, Belgrade, and Calais, and on the Greek island of Lesbos: on the front lines of the response, where it was needed most. This time, there was a focus on Child Safeguarding.
RedR began the second phase of the HLA-funded project in May 2016 with training taking place in locations along the Balkan route, including Slovenia, Macedonia and Croatia. At the same time, we received funding from the Stanley Thomas Johnson Foundation in April 2016 to deliver another ten two-day courses in some of the most revelant areas in Europe.
As a result of the Refugee Response Project, we have delivered 26 courses in seven different countries, providing 424 volunteers and aid workers with invaluable skills in refugee response.
Further to this, we have delivered tailor-made training courses to volunteers from Help Refugees.