Working Towards New Skills at Ballymena YouthBank

A year on since finishing the Journal, Nicola reveals how the training has helped her and the other members of Ballymena YouthBank. 
The OCN Journal was a useful way for Nicola to build on the experience she had already gained in her role as a grantmaker, as she explains;
“I had gained communication and teamwork skills since joining the YouthBank but I wanted to develop these further. I was able to improve my skills by completing various training activities along with other grantmakers from Ballymena YouthBank. The training mainly took place at YouthBank meetings which allowed us to work together on improving our necessary skills.”
“As part of the OCN Journal we had to take part in a residential weekend, which focused on teamwork. The training activities were fun and they helped all the grantmakers work as a team in an effective way.”
To help the grantmakers explain the YouthBank process effectively, the group had to create leaflets describing the YouthBank process and what it aims to do for local communities. The Journal also helped Nicola and the group improve their organisational skills, making funding rounds easier to manage.
“We have seen a big difference in how the YouthBank is organised since completing the training and we have been able to inform grant applicants more clearly about what Ballymena YouthBank does.”
Nicola also explained that the OCN Journal has helped increase her confidence;
“The Journal has helped me become more confident when presenting to groups and giving talks. It has enabled me to communicate better with grant applicants, as I have the confidence to explain the YouthBank process to them in a clear way.”
Having now been a grantmaker for three years Nicola plans to take part in more training. The next stage will involve another weekend residential where she will be able to improve her skills as a grantmaker even further.