My name is Daina Heaton, I live and study in the South West of England but was born in Manchester. I am studying, in my second year, on the BS Global Development and Sustainability course which focuses on the environmental, social, economic and geopolitical issues and challenges facing the developed and developing world today. I work part time supporting other students at the University but my passion is in volunteering. I am currently volunteering for a youth charity called Envision, where I mentor 16-19years old's and facilitate non-formal activities aimed at increasing their skills and competencies to be active, engaged citizens. My other commitment is to SecondStep where I coordinate volunteers who help previously homeless individuals back into long term housing and to feel a part of the local community.
Internationally I take part in Youth in Action projects, recently a 4.3 initiative aimed at trainers, in the field of youth work, in Macedonia. I also attended a work camp in Ukraine around gender issues in that area, which culminated in non-formal teaching in a local school for a week . At present I am in the process of applying for a Youth in Action grant from the EU, with a group of four people I met in Macedonia, with the hope of hosting a project next April in Spain.
My long term goal is to buy and run my own center which would be responsible for hosting Youth in Action projects, EVS volunteer projects and local programmes.
My motivation for doing an EVS project firstly is to spend a year in another country to experience the culture and working methods of NGO's in the hosting country. I wish to deepen my skills as a volunteer, facilitator, project coordinator, volunteer coordinator, activist and critical active citizen. A big hope, along with working on exciting projects in a new country, would be to develop the skills necessary to open and run my own hosting center. I hope to find a hosting organization that would find my skills and experience useful, facilitate my learning and growth, and become partners and friends for future international projects.
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Profile
I am currently studying on the ‘Global Development and Sustainability’ course Bath Spa University, where I have a special interest in human geography, sociology, welfare and equality, development, and human rights. My current volunteering and work involves working directly with young people, specifically co-designing skill-building, personal development and other related activities that facilitate contribution to positive social action whilst offering young people the chance to improve their futures and communities in which they live. My personal passion is for building the capacity of people to contribute to social action and change agendas, and I hope to work towards this end myself on a local and international level as the need arises.
Employment History
Computer Support, Bath Spa University — 2013 - Present
Providing technical assistance and support in the library IT department
Activity Leader, Language Study Centres — Summer 2013
Providing a varied and interesting social programme for international young students by providing activities such as leading walking tours around the UK, organising quiz nights, talent shows, sports tournaments and supervising discos.
Silver Service Waitressing with Back to Front and Verve Hospitality Agency — 2009 - 2013
Worked flexibly in various locations for events such as weddings, corporate events and sporting competitions, providing excellent customer service.
Family Room Specialist, Apple Retail, Manchester and Bristol stores — 2009-2012
Excellent knowledge and practical use of apple software and hardware, including movie making, photo editing and office based tasks
Facilitated high quality workshops and training to customers and employees
Provided excellent customer service and technical assistant to very high volumes of customers under pressured circumstances.
Volunteering and Training
Volunteer coordinator, SecondStep, Horizons — 2013-Present
Training, supporting and coordinating volunteers who mentor recently housed homeless people.
Assisting in the development and success of the ‘Horizons’ project.
Co-wrote and managed a proposal for a grant application for the EU’s Youth in Action Programme (Sep, 2013)
Coordinated through digital media with people from 4 countries in Europe. Project themed around international dialogue, minority community and media representation.
Training Course ‘Improve the quality of intercultural learning in international youth activities,’ as part of the EU’s ‘Youth in Action’ programme, Croatia 2013
Gained skills and experience with grant applications, quality criteria of intercultural dialogue projects and quality youth work projects. Explored the concepts of intercultural learning, dialogue and acceptance.
Successful completion of EU 'Youth Pass' Certificate
Participant and volunteer for the ‘International Voluntary Service’, ‘Service Civil International’
Two week research based work camp in Ukraine around ‘gender issues’ in Eastern Europe:
Involved in the development of different activities such as educational presentations and discussions with school children around gender issues.
Part of a group of international participants living in a communal setting, organising collective problem solving and equal participation in the group decision making.
One week international training course, as part of the EU’s ‘Youth in Action’ programme in Macedonia hosted by the Centre for International Dialogue:
Project named 'Training for Trainers: Fostering social inclusion and employability of institutionalised youth' and was aimed at active youth workers in Europe.
Project developed my understanding of 'youth at risk', and gave me the theory and tools necessary to design, implement and evaluate effective inclusive training programs with targets of youth at risk. Great focus on empowerment and motivation of young people.
Successful completion of EU 'Youth Pass' Certificate
Asha Centre’s Education for Sustainable Development- March 2013
Residential training week around ‘education for sustainable development’
Practical examples and techniques to address environmental issues and to achieve sustainable community development.
Successful completion of EU 'Youth Pass' Certificate
Life Coaching Course - 2012
Practical skills in planning, preparation and motivation for personal development and projects
Envision - July 2012- Present
Team mentor for Brislington Enterprise College, facilitating activities for young people in creating positive social change. My group gained £400 through presenting their anti-bullying project to local businesses, with which they created a movie, wristbands and presentation for their school.
Worked and developed a group with special educational needs and behavioural difficulties
Office volunteer - administration duties, liaising with local businesses, raising prizes and funds for the young people, booking venues, risk assessments, event coordination.
Back on Track - 2009
Assisted in delivering art classes to vulnerable adults who were recovering from alcohol related issues or had recently been released from prison
Education
Bath Spa University, 2012-2015 — Global Development and Sustainability, In progress.
Studies focusing on the environmental, social, economic and geopolitical issues and challenges facing the developed and developing world today.
Personal Skills: My course has given me the ability to confidently use technology to present to my peers. I have excellent communication and team work skills and high levels of research and written abilities.
Global Citizenship Award - Regular presentations and networking opportunities with global organisations. Completion of an international volunteering project
Technical Skills: Basic use of ArcGIS (geographic information system software which allows the design of interactive maps)
Geography Ambassador - Facilitating activities for young ‘gifted and talented’ students aged 11-14, including field sketching, using GIS software and surveying equipment and exploring development and sustainability issues.
Manchester Metropolitan University 2008-2009 — Art and Design, BTEC Foundation Diploma
Grade : Distinction
Oldham College 2005-2007 — Art and Design, BTEC National Diploma levels 1,2 and 3, Grade :
Distinction
Produced a piece of public artwork which bordered the Oldham NHS building project
North Chadderton School 1999-2004 — 10 GCSE’s Grades A*-B
Was chosen as ‘gifted and talented’ in art and science.
Skills
Training, mentoring and personal development skills
Workshop design and delivery, facilitating diverse ranges of activities and training material
Grant application skills and experience
Project visioning, planning and implementation
Positive constructive dialogue with people from different cultures and countries.
Wide variety of art and design skills
Networking, building relationships and writing projects on a global level
Creative and technical capabilities with the Apple devices including movie editing
Microsoft Office suite and administrative tasks
Basic use of ArcGIS
Years of experience in customer service which include sales, technical support, teaching, silver service waitressing and bar work, stock maintenance, recruitment and staff training
Details
Preferred/interested in themes: Art and culture, Urban development, Equal opportunities, Anti-racism/xenophobia, Anti-drugs/substance abuse, Social exclusion (in general), Measures against delinquency, Youth information, Youth policies, Media and communications, European awareness, Other
Preferred/interested in targets: Youth and children, Homeless, Unemployed, Migrants, Local Community, Other
Preferred/interested in countries: Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Syrian Arab Republic, Turkey, West Bank & Gaza Strip