About Us

Background of VIDES UK

Click here for a full powerpoint presentation about the history of VIDES. (2MB)

• What is VIDES UK?
• What does VIDES mean?
• What does Salesian mean?
• What is at the 'heart' of VIDES as an organisation?
• Values of Salesian Youth Work
• VIDES Aims & Mission Statement
• Who are our members?
• VIDES International

What is VIDES UK?
VIDES UK is part of an International Voluntary Organisation founded in 1987 by the Salesian Sisters in response to a need from young people wanting to do voluntary work. There are VIDES groups established all over the world: 11 countries in Europe, 5 Countries in Asia and 9 countries in America, all of which form part of the Salesian Family.
Click here to download the powerpoint presentation "VIDES INTERNATIONAL" (50MB)

What does VIDES mean?

V	Voluntary
I	International
D	Development
E	Education
S	Salesian

What does Salesian mean?
To be 'Salesian' means to follow Don Bosco and Mary Mazzarello's way of 'being' and 'working with' young people. (Salesian Methodology) Salesians recognise the importance of 'journeying' with young people, encouraging and supporting them. We believe and see the potential in each individual and through formal and informal education we set out to empower young people to be true to themselves, reach their full potential and to be the protagonists in building a better world.

What is at the 'heart' of VIDES as an organisation?
Central to every VIDES Camp/Project is the training and formation of the volunteers. This takes place at a variety of levels: management training and training before, during and after Formation Camps/Projects. The training has two main objectives:

1. Personal growth and development of the individual.
2. To create and help build communities in the world that support and 'invest' in young people.

Values of Salesian Youth Work
At the heart of VIDES is the best interests of young people. VIDES adopts and puts into practice specific aims and values. Through this we believe young people receive a professional service that responds to their needs.

Below are the values adopted and practised by VIDES UK:

• Educative & Preventative
• Active & Fun
• Promotes Equality
• Experiential
• Participative and Empowering
• Collaborative and Co-operative
• Person-centred
• Planned
• Monitored
• Evaluated
• Developmental
• Innovative
• Creative
• Training and Formation

VIDES Aims & Mission Statement
As VIDES UK we provide, promote and support the ongoing training and development of young people, offering them opportunities to serve local communities throughout the world.

As VIDES Volunteers we commit ourselves to building communities in the world of the young through our friendship and presence.

We respond to the need of local communities anywhere in the UK and throughout the world and in doing so we collaborate to develop an ongoing service for the young that will be a positive influence for all.

In order to achieve our mission we aim:

• To provide training and formation for volunteers as individuals and as part of a team.
• To provide volunteers with the opportunity to work with children and young people in the UK and abroad.
• To develop and encourage leadership skills through training and experiential learning opportunities.
• To provide VIDES projects in response to a need, working in collaboration with local communities in the UK and abroad.
• To contact and develop relationships with young people through schools, colleges and universities in the UK.
• To promote and support the work and growth of VIDES UK.

Who are our members?
Our volunteers are from all around the UK. Anyone from 17 to 35 years with 'time to spare, love to share' and a willingness to work with children and young people can get involved.

VIDES UK has many different management groups who are responsible for overseeing, co-ordinating and managing the growth and development of VIDES as an organisation and, more importantly of the volunteers.

Management groups are made up of teachers, students, nurses, youth workers, people from all walks of life. All are VIDES volunteers giving up their time for others.

VIDES International
VIDES UK is part of an international network of organisations within VIDES International's main office based in Rome. There are VIDES groups throughout Europe, America and Asia. Since 2003 VIDES has obtained ECOSOC Special Consultative Status (UN ECOnomic and SOcial Council).