Question 1

I want to improve the world and do good deeds by helping others. I have experience in volunteer work in my home country, and I would like to become a volunteer in Finland. How can I do that?

Accepted Answer

Welcome to SVK Silta — the volunteer community in Finland! Sign up for the "Volunteering in Finland" course. Completing the training will be the first step towards integrating into Finnish society and expanding your social and professional connections in Finland.

Question 2

What are the benefits of completing the "Volunteering in Finland" course?

Accepted Answer

By enrolling in the course, you will:Gain valuable knowledge about the third sector in Finland and develop a deeper understanding of Finnish society.Find an interesting volunteering opportunity where you can apply your skills.Expand your social circle, meet like-minded individuals, and become part of a friendly community.Receive support from SVK’s resources to implement your ideas.Get the chance to become a volunteer in any of the organizations that are part of the SVK Liitto association (currently 54 organizations located in different parts of Finland).Receive a diploma that is highly regarded in Finnish volunteer circles. Many Finnish-speaking organizations offer their own training. With our diploma, (likely) you will not need to participate in this training or will only need to complete part of it.Focus on your own development. After completing the basic course, you will have the opportunity to continue your training and become a support group leader.

Question 3

Can I register for the course if I have recently moved to Finland?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! SVK Liitto welcomes all Russian-speaking residents of Finland, regardless of how long they have been living here. The  "Volunteering in Finland" course will help you learn more about the country, build connections, and integrate into Finnish society through volunteer activities.

Question 4

How is the "Volunteering in Finland" course conducted? How often are meetings held? Is participation in them mandatory?

Accepted Answer

The course is flexible and designed to fit the participants’ schedules.The course includes three online meetings:The mandatory meeting takes place on the 4th of each month at 18:00. In this meeting, we introduce the course and each other.The intermediate meeting occurs two weeks after the course starts. Participation is not mandatory, but it gives you the opportunity to ask questions and exchange experiences with other participants.The final meeting focuses on summarizing the course and takes place on the 3rd of the following month.

Question 5

What is the training format, and are there deadlines for submitting assignments?

Accepted Answer

The training is conducted online via Google Classroom platform. Materials and assignments are available at any time, but to receive a diploma, the course must be completed within a month.

Question 6

How is communication with other participants supported?

Accepted Answer

On the Google Classroom platform, there is an opportunity to address questions to the course organizers and exchange experiences with other participants. The course organizers also create a WhatsApp group where participants can share information and communicate in an informal setting.

Question 7

How to register for the course "Volunteering in Finland"?

Accepted Answer

On the SVK Silta website, you can find a section with course information where you can fill out an online registration form. If you encounter any difficulties, you can contact the training organizers.After registration, you will receive a confirmation email with further instructions on how to join the course on the Google Classroom platform.All set! See you at the first mandatory meeting!

Question 8

Is it necessary to create a Gmail account?

Accepted Answer

Yes, a Google account is required to access materials on Google Classroom platform.If you don’t have a Gmail account, you can create one by following these steps:Go to the Google registration page.Fill in the required information and follow the instructions.If you already have a Gmail account, you can use it to access the course.

Question 9

Is it necessary to register in advance to join the course, or can I join right before the first meeting?

Accepted Answer

Pre-registration is required. After that, you will receive an email before the first webinar with instructions on how to participate in the webinar and access the training platform.You will be able to register and create a volunteer profile on the SVK Silta website only after successfully completing the course.

Question 10

Do I need to have volunteer experience to participate in the "Volunteering in Finland" course?

Accepted Answer

No. The course is open to anyone, regardless of previous experience. It will help you understand the basics of volunteering, get to know the system of volunteer organizations in Finland, and find a suitable place for volunteer work.If you have volunteer experience, it will be a plus, but even then, the training will be useful as it will broaden your perspective and help you understand the specifics of volunteering in Finland.

Question 11

Is knowledge of the Finnish language necessary for completing the courses and volunteering in Finland?

Accepted Answer

Knowledge of the Finnish language is not required to complete the course. The course and all materials are available in Russian, and communication with organizers and other participants is also conducted in Russian.For volunteering, Finnish is also not mandatory but can be helpful when interacting with local residents or working with Finnish organizations. Many organizations working with foreigners offer volunteering opportunities without requiring Finnish skills. You can also volunteer in Russian-speaking organizations.

Question 12

Can the "Volunteering in Finland" course be taken while staying outside Finland?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All materials are available online, allowing you to study anytime and anywhere with internet access. To access the course, you need to create a Google account.

Question 13

Are the meetings recorded?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, the meetings are not recorded.

Question 14

What is required to receive the diploma?

Accepted Answer

To receive the diploma for the "Volunteering in Finland" course from SVK Liitto, it is necessary to complete all assignments and actively participate in the training.

Question 15

Can I receive a diploma if I am unable to attend one of the mandatory meetings?

Accepted Answer

Participation in webinars is a mandatory requirement for receiving the diploma.

Question 16

What should I do if I can’t complete the course on time?

Accepted Answer

If you are unable to complete the course within the set timeframe, don’t worry. Just inform the course coordinator. You will be able to continue studying independently on the Google Classroom platform.Please note that in this case, you will join the final webinar with the next group and receive your course completion diploma afterward.

Question 17

What opportunities become available after completing the "Volunteering in Finland" course?

Accepted Answer

You will be able to create a volunteer profile on the SVK Silta website, where you can share more about yourself and tell how you can help others. Registration will help organizations looking for volunteers with your skills and interests to find you.You will gain access to opportunities for volunteering. On the SVK Silta website, we publish information about various events that need volunteers, as well as other volunteering opportunities.You will become part of an active volunteer community! You can exchange experiences with others and receive support, for example, by participating in volunteer coaching meetings.You will have access to further training opportunities. You can enroll in "Support Group Leader" course, after which you can implement your ideas and become the leader of a club or group.You will unlock potential for career advancement. Participating in volunteer projects can be not only a meaningful contribution to society but also a great opportunity for professional growth, networking, and enhancing your résumé.

Question 18

How can I implement my idea as a support group leader?

Accepted Answer

It is important that your idea is realistic, achievable, and aligns with the community's interests. For example, you could create a support group for migrants to help them adapt better to Finnish society. Another possibility is to create interest-based clubs (such as a robotics club or a theatre group). You could also host training sessions and workshops. The ideas and opportunities for their implementation are endless. It all depends on your imagination and willingness to bring your idea to life.You will receive a step-by-step guide on how to implement your idea by enrolling in the "Support Group Leader" course. After completing the course, you will do your homework and receive a diploma. After that, the course organizers will contact you and discuss your idea and its implementation possibilities.

Question 19

Can I lead a group without completing the training?

Accepted Answer

No. To lead a support group within the framework of SVK Liitto, you must complete additional training in the "Support Group Leader" course. You will learn how to implement your project, develop group management and communication skills, master methods for supporting participants, and create a comfortable atmosphere. We will also discuss the specifics of organizing clubs in Finland.

Question 20

What is needed to become a mentor or an integration expert?

Accepted Answer

First, you need to complete the "Volunteering in Finland" course or the "I am a Volunteer!" course from SVK Liitto, receive your diploma, and sign an agreement for volunteer work.To become a mentor (mentori) at SVK Liitto, you should have specific experience (e.g., a profession or education), meaning professional knowledge that you can share with others.To become an integration expert (vertaisosaaja), your life experience is sufficient. You can share your experiences regarding moving, living in Finland, paperwork, parenting and education, hobbies, and more.To become a health consultant (terveyskaveri), you should have experience living in Finland with a serious illness or disability. This experience will help you assist those who are facing the same condition.

Question 21

How do I know that my registration on the website is complete? After registering, I don’t see my profile on the website.

Accepted Answer

After filling out the registration form on the website, you need to complete the registration by providing information about yourself/your organization in your personal account. Once this is done, your registration will be considered complete, and your profile will appear on the website in the "Volunteer Profiles" или "Organization Profiles" section – depending on how you registered.Below is the instruction to complete the registration:After clicking the "Save" button, your profile will appear on the website in the "Volunteer Profiles" или "Organization Profiles" section.

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