Children Volunteer Mentor Volunteer Roles
Ref CYFV-241
Are you a proactive, collaborative and compassionate individual with experience of working with socially excluded young people and adults? Looking for a highly rewarding new opportunity?
If so, St Giles has an exciting opportunity for a Children, Young People and Families Volunteer Mentor, where you will play an integral role in our team by supporting children and young people who are on the ‘edge-of-care’ through holistic whole-family specialist support.
About St Giles Trust
An ambitious, well-established charity that helps people facing adversity to find jobs, homes and the right support they need. Central to our ethos is our belief that people with first-hand experience of successfully overcoming issues such as an offending background, homelessness, addictions and gang involvement, hold the key to positive change in others.
About this key role
As our Children, Young People and Families Volunteer Mentor, you will focus on supporting Caseworkers delivering mentoring and specialist support for children, young people and their families, with the children on the edge of entering the care system and young people at risk of violence. We will count on you to develop and maintain effective relationships with Local Authority teams and other relevant agencies, ensuring a steady flow of referrals to the project, while also working collaboratively with other professionals such as Social Care teams, professionally representing St Giles.
You will support the completion of initial needs assessments with clients, helping them to develop individual action plans and regularly review them to assess progress, carry out and review thorough risk management plans, plus provide a client-led support service that responds to individual needs, including support with housing, finances, parenting, health, ETE and criminal justice.
What we are looking for
- To have lived, personal experience of the Care System, Criminal Justice System, and/or being involved in a gang or knife crime.
- Knowledge of anti-discriminatory working practices, and the implications of both within the working environment.
- Practical application of diversity awareness and unconscious bias in employment.
- Ability to demonstrate knowledge and awareness of the issues faced by our client group, in particular barriers faced by people with lived in experience.
- Excellent interpersonal, relationship-building and communication skills, verbal and written.
- A flexible, collaborative and professional approach to your work.
As an organisation that works with children and adults at risk we are committed to safeguarding, protecting and promoting the safety of our clients and successful applicants will require an Enhanced Child and Adult with Child Barred DBS Check.
We actively encourage people with personal experience of the criminal justice system or lived experience of the issues facing this client group to apply for this role.
In return, you can expect a competitive salary, generous leave allowance, staff pension, flexible working, a mentoring programme, an advice and counselling service, clinical therapist sessions, life insurance (4 x annual salary), duvet days, season ticket loan, employee perks programme, eye care voucher and much more.
We are an equity and inclusion confident employer. We welcome all applications and we particularly encourage applications from people of the global majority (black, brown, multi- heritage) and those who identify as disabled, neuroexpansive, neurodiverse, with any protected characteristics and/or social barriers or challenges. We value the empowering and informative impact that all lived experiences and diversity of thought can offer the organisation.
St Giles will guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria set out in the Job Description for the vacancy.
To apply visit our website via the Apply Button.
Closing date: 16 May 2024 Interview date: 22 May 2024
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This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Are you looking to impact a young person’s life and make a difference in the community?
Well come and join us today at The Kids Network!
What is the role
- The Kids Network is looking for committed, fun and passionate volunteers who live in or near to Lambeth to make a difference to the children of London.
- Our structured mentoring programme supports 8-11 year old's, based across London, to support with their social and emotional development before they transition into secondary school.
- As a mentor, you will hold weekly one on one sessions of 1 -3 hours. You will help to build confidence, resilience and help your mentee to manage feelings through a series of fun and positive experiences and activities.
- The weekly sessions can be flexible between weekdays and weekends.
- You will also get to meet fellow adults in your community through our peer network.
- All volunteers will go benefit from two days of in-person where you'll gain skills and knowledge to support you as a mentor. (Many mentors share that the skills developed support their progression in the workplace, especially those seeking to gain experience working with children and young people)
What impact will this have?
- Help build resilience and confidence in a child in your local community.
- Learn from fellow mentors with our amazing peer network.
- Help a child as they transition from primary to secondary school.
Currently recruiting mentors who are:
·Looking to give back to their communities and make an impact on little londoners.
Expenses
- Volunteers have a budget of £30 per month. We are also able to cover travel expenses.
Training
- Our induction training will provide you with all the skills and knowledge to support your mentee, including safeguarding, health and safety, child-led mentoring and understanding your role.
- We offer additional training throughout the year to in anti-oppression, trauma-informed practice and lots more to help enhance your mentoring journey and your personal and professional development.
A DBS check is required but is organised and paid for by The Kids Network.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
As a mentor on our young peoples programmes, your support will:
- Empower your mentee to help them achieve and identify goals to get them where they want to be, through encouraging your mentee to consider future options and assist them in developing strategies to attain their goals.
- Develop a trusting, supportive and non-judgemental relationship, to support them through their challenges by providing emotional, social and practical support to boost confidence and independence.
- Support your mentee to make social connections with their local community, services or groups and refer and signpost them to other organisations providing more specialist support if needed.
What impact will this have?
- By becoming a mentor with Unfold, you will be supporting those who often face exclusion, this as, although we are open to everyone, 93% of our service users are from racialised groups, 60% of our referrals come from other supporting service and we have also adapted our services to support Afghan evacuees
- With the opportunity to be a mentor for a young person on our Asylum Seeker programme, you will be a welcoming and reliable person of support in often difficult and challenging times, supporting the navigation of achieving goals in new environment.
- With 89% of the young people we work with saying that having a mentor has improved their life, your skills and experiences are needed and will have a positive impact.
Commitment
- We ask volunteers to commit to delivering mentoring1–2-hour a week, over a period of 24 sessions. Through mentee and mentor testimonies we have seen the positive impact holding sessions in person vs online has, and so we would ask any perspective volunteers to be prepared to be available for all in person session should this be the required need of your mentee.
- Attend monthly online group supervisions held weekday evenings. Supervisions are a great place to meet other mentors, share skills and ideas around mentoring, hear from organisation who can enhance your mentoring experience as well get support with the challenges you may face.
Training
- We provide training based in positive psychology building skills that are transferrable, such as empathic leadership, coaching-style approaches, the growth mindset, mentoring, inclusion and more and an additional 1 hour training for mentors supporting asylum seekers.
- Throughout your mentoring journey, we’re always on hand to help, with ongoing support from a designated Programme Officer, as well as a range of tailored resources.
Background checks
- A DBS check is required.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Trailblazers has been providing mentoring services to people in prison since 1998 with ultimate aim to to reduce re-offending. We provide support to men between the age of 18 - 35 that have 6 months left of their prison sentence and through gate into their own community for a maximum of 12 months. Services are delivered in Wolverhampton in HMPYOI Brinsford, HMP Featherstone. In London HMP Brixton and HMPYOI Isis. We are looking for volunteer mentors in all priosn porjects that can spare half a day per week to support men to change their life through inspirational role models and goal setting. Mentoring sessions usually last 1 hour per week, to allow enough time for travel and liasing with Trailblazers staff this will take about half of your day. We are actively looking for people to join our mentoring community with lived experience of the criminal justice system, under represented groups from BAME community, creative arts, business skills, wellbeing - whatever your skills and background we are open to hear from you to support our diverse group of men.Out of pocket expenses are covered as well as training to equip you for your role. Email us for an application form.
• To provide a positive role model for people in prison and in their own community, to be empathic and to have a desire and commitment to support people to fulfil their potential.
• To attend and participate fully in the initial and ongoing mentor training.
• To attend group support/supervision meetings and review performance within mentoring relationships.
• To complete mentoring session notes relevant to the mentoring service for monitoring purposes.
• To take part in introductory meetings with mentees and set ground rules and boundaries.
• To report safeguarding concerns immediately
• To follow relevant policies and procedures
• To perform your role in line with the aims of the organisation
• To meet with and actively develop a supportive relationship with mentees
• Be prepared to travel and undertake visits for mentoring sessions
• To make the necessary practical arrangements to meet the mentee on a weekly or fortnightly basis
• Assist the mentee to celebrate their achievements
• Support the mentee to meet identified goals
• Develop an understanding of the role, responsibilities and boundaries of a volunteer mentor
• Be committed to the project for a minimum of 18 months
• Regular communication with Trailblazers staff in support of your mentee
Skills/behaviours/knowledge required
• Knowledge of the criminal justice system and challenges faced by mentees (Desirable) full training will be given
• Awareness of own professional boundaries and the ability to report any concerns within the mentoring relationship that could be pertinent to risk to the mentee, or to others
• To be an advocate for a mentee and to actively seek opportunities for mentees for resettlement back into their own community in conjunction with Trailblazers staff
• To be non-judgmental, focus on the person rather than the offense
• Professional but relatable with strong communication skills
• Awareness of adversity and how to overcome barriers to build a supportive network around the mentee
• Basic IT skills
• Be able to take advice and guidance from Trailblazers staff
Criteria
• Over 21
• We encourage applications from those with lived experience of the Criminal Justice System but you must be off licence for a minimum of 12 months, and not in crisis yourself
• You cannot apply to a project if you have been a resident in the same prison yourself
• A good level of fitness to able to move around a prison at fast past that does include stairs
• Due to security checks at the prison you must be a British citizen
• Not committed an offense where you are barred from working with vulnerable adults or children
• Live within a 30 mile radius from the prison you would like to volunteer at
Email for an application form
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Could you help someone change their life and avoid reoffending?
Belong’s vision is of hope, rehabilitation and recovery for victims and perpetrators of crime. We inspire change by providing long term, individualised responses to conflict and crime through restorative Justice, psychotherapy, mentoring, and training for criminal justice professionals.
We have exciting opportunities available for committed, compassionate people to volunteer as one to one mentors with us. Volunteers will work with children, young people and adults serving prison sentences at HMPYOI Feltham and HMP Isis or serving community sentences in London. Successful applicants will have a qualification in criminology, pscychology or a relevant area, and/or at least one year of experience working with children, young people or adults facing disadvantages. For genuine occupational requirement reasons successful applicants must be aged 21 years or over. (exemption under the Equality Act 2010 Part 1 Schedule 9)
One to one mentors will build a professional working relationship with individuals as they serve their prison or community sentence and work towards a crime free future. Mentoring sessions will take place once per week or fortnight, for one to two hours per session. During the sessions volunteers will offer support to individuals to assist them to access education, training and employment; develop life skills; work through previous traumas and build positive relationships. Volunteers need to be able to commit to the role for at least one year. Mentoring sessions will take place during weekdays or weekends.
Interviews for the role will take place prior to the training dates and selection for the role confirmed after paticipation in the training.
Successful applicants will be invited to participate in an initial two day training course at either HMPYOI Feltham or HMPYOI Isis from 9:30am-4pm on Saturday June 8th and June 15th 2024. Please note: spaces on the training course are limited and we may close the recruitment before the closing date if spaces become full.
Prison security vetting and/or an enhanced DBS check are required for this role and all volunteers will be supported to undergo this. After vetting processes are complete, further training will be provided at the prison in which mentors are volunteering, with a range of dates available.
Full support and supervision will be provided to volunteers. We particularly encourage applications from people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds and from people with lived experience of the criminal justice system.
To apply, please send us your CV and covering letter as soon as possible, and by 21st May 2024 at 11.30pm. Interviews will be held remotely on zoom or via phone call. Applications will be screened and applicants interviewed on a first come first served basis, and we have a limited number of spaces available on our June training course. We reserve the right to close this recruitment process before the closing date if we receive a high number of suitable applications beforehand.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Come and Mentor for Us!
What is Mentor Mums?
Mentor Mums exists in recognition of the fact that there is very little support for parents stepping back into the workplace after time away and it’s not always easy.
Whether parents step back reluctantly, or with huge ambition and drive, there’s no doubt that the first few months are full of bumps in the road, as they navigate everything from organizational or management changes to emergency calls from nursery requesting the collection of a sick baby!
People often feel that although their job stays largely the same, everything else about them, such as their priorities, sense of identity or capacity to work, has changed.
We help support parents through this, by providing them with a mentor who works in the same profession, but is a few steps ahead in their parenting journey and can give them advice and support as they return.
Who are you for?
We welcome parents of all kinds, inclusive of gender, sexuality, adoptive parents and those from all models of family, who have taken a period time out of work to care for their children and would like support in returning to work.
Some of our mentees are seeking emotional and pastoral support, while others are focused on career progression and getting back up to date with their professional skills or knowledge.
What do you do?
Our mentoring programme is totally free to access, and matches newly returning parents with mentors who work in a similar professional role and can help them navigate their journey as a working parent.
Mentorships usually take place virtually, or occasionally in person, and mentors offer 6 hours of their time over 6 months to help someone initially survive, but eventually to thrive.
What is the onboarding process?
All mentors and mentees book in for an initial chat with one of our team, so we can check your fit for our programme, understand your professional role, and get a sense of your own experience of becoming a parent.
In mentors, we’re looking for people who remember the challenges, are ready to support someone in a non-judgmental or prescriptive way, and who are willing to be open about the struggles they encountered in their own journey.
What is the time commitment for volunteers?
The initial onboarding call with our team takes around 20 minutes, and further to this we ask mentors to watch a short (15 minute) video and read our handbook.
We then ask for a commitment to a mentee of 6 hours across 6 months (roughly 1 hour per month), plus admin time pre-post sessions. The 6-session model is tried and tested. It helps people move from ‘survival mode’ to thinking about the longer-term future, whether that includes growing their family further and/or progressing in their career, leaving them in a position of strength when the mentoring comes to an end.
Why would you recommend volunteering as a mentor?
People generally mentor for us because they understand the challenges others are facing as they return, and often wish this service had existed when they returned themselves! This is a chance to be the lifeline that another parent needs, helping them to return to their job successfully whilst also embracing family life.
Previous participants have told us the programme has made a huge difference to their return.
Mentees have said:
“There was an opportunity for a promotion shortly after I returned. My mentor helped me remember what I was capable of doing, and taught me that I can do so much more than I thought. Friends will support you, but sometimes you need to hear from someone who can offer an impartial ear.”
“My experience with Mentor Mums has been amazing - it was exactly the support that I didn’t even realise I needed at the right time. My mentor provided me with planning strategies, and so many work-day framing exercises. She instilled confidence into me; empowering me to make the right decisions, question stakeholders and even helped me pluck up the courage to ask for a promotion and pay rise. Mentoring has benefited my life in so many ways.”
Mentors have said:
“Mentoring someone else has been a growth experience for me – through the conversations I notice more about my own approaches to certain situations, and the things I still need to work on. Mentoring also gives me the chance to consider the way I support those in my own company grappling with similar challenges.”
“Mentoring has been a really rewarding experience. My mentee and I still keep in touch and it’s become a more mutually beneficial relationship over time.”
What types of professionals/experience are you looking for?
We would welcome mentors from all areas of the business at all levels of seniority and we currently have a long waiting list for mentors! We try to match people with their professional peers, except when we feel that particular lived experience (e.g. bereavement during parenthood, life as an adoptive parent, etc) might provide better synergy between a mentee and their mentor.
Who is eligible to be a mentor?
Anyone with lived experience as a working parent or carer of a young child is eligible to mentor for us. We expect all our mentors to adopt an inclusive attitude, mentoring people regardless of any protected characteristic, offering support without judgement.
How can we can get involved?
You can apply to mentor via our website. You’ll be asked to create a login and sign up for a call. Then we’ll match you with a mentee as soon as we find one and you can get started straight away!
Where can we find out more?
You can find FAQs on our website here. If you have further questions, please email us.
This role is advertised as part of TPP's Free Giving Back Services. This volunteer advertisement copy has been supplied to TPP and applicants apply direct to the organisation. Please contact the organisation directly if you have any questions about this volunteer role.
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This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
ABOUT THE ROLE
This is an exciting opportunity to join IRMO and be part of the Latin American Youth Forum (LAYF). LAYF is a youth-led group based at IRMO for migrant and refugee young people aged 13-19 where activities are offered in a trilingual space (Spanish, Portuguese and English). LAYF ensures that everyone can feel safe and supported to overcome barriers and find their feet in the UK. At LAYF young people can: ➔ Learn English through fun and engaging weekly ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) classes. ➔ Learn new skills and get inspired through weekly educational, art and theme-based workshops. ➔ Get support to access education, volunteer and employment opportunities through a targeted mentoring programme. ➔ Lead the LAYF Youth Steering Group, learn about leadership and inspire other Spanish and Portuguese-speaking young people. ➔ Explore London and its surrounding through cultural trips and residentials. The LAYF Volunteer Mentor will deliver a programme of 8-12 mentoring sessions focusing on the personal, educational and professional development of each mentee. They must be fluent in Spanish or Portuguese, and English and have availability to support young people on weekdays during out-of-school hours. The sessions can take place at IRMO or remotely as it’s most convenient for the mentee.
MAIN TASKS
● Plan and deliver a targeted mentoring programme suited to the needs of each mentee.
● Write accurate mentoring notes during/after each session and discuss progress at regular supervision meetings.
● Allocate some time to research on the best way to support the mentee and any resources that might be beneficial for the session and for them to work on.
● Carry out regular monitoring & evaluation tasks.
● Meet regularly with the Youth Worker & Mentor to check on the progress of mentees
WE ARE LOOKING FOR SOMEONE WHO IS/HAS:
● Fluent in English and Spanish, or English and Portuguese (essential).
● Some experience in mentoring young people in school or out-of-school setting.
● Aware of the issues facing migrants, especially children and young people, in the UK.
● A warm, friendly, patient and empathetic approach towards young people with complex needs.
● Good time management and organisational skills to be able to deliver regular mentoring sessions.
● Ability to set own work priorities, take initiative and work independently with the young people.
● Some knowledge of safeguarding and child protection in the UK.
● Non-judgemental, empathetic and committed to IRMO’s mission and values
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
● Two references from current/previous employers.
● Enhanced DBS Check (completed through IRMO).
● Safeguarding Level 1 certificate (completed through IRMO).
● One month trial period.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Mentors for Women provide emotional, social and practical support to women with children aged 5 and up, either online or face to face.
Asa mentor you will
- Empower women to identify changes they wish to make and goals they wish to achieve.
- Over 12 to 24 weekly sessions, offer coaching style support to women to help them achieve their goals and get them where they want to be.
- Provide a listening ear and talk thorough the challenges women face.
- Support women to make social connections with their local community or groups, refer and signpost them to other organisations providing more specialist support if needed.
What impact will this have?
Your mentoring will help women break cycles of social isolation, improve family cohesion, and wellbeing by providing support in a wide range of issues.
By being part of the Unfold mentor family you will be helping us to have greater reach in making a positive impact in the lives of many vulnerable families and young people, living in Westminster.
Commitment
- We ask volunteers to commit to delivering mentoring for 1–2-hours a week, over a period of 24 in person sessions. Although occasionally session are held online, through mentee and mentor testimonies we have seen the positive impact holding sessions in person vs online has, and so we would ask any perspective volunteers to be prepared to be available for all in person session should this be the required need of your mentee.
- Attending monthly group online meetings, which is a great opportunity for all the mentors to come together discuss challenges, successes and further develop mentoring skills.
Training
Through our comprehensive training and ongoing support, you will develop skills in positive psychology and coaching style techniques, cover topics including safeguarding, confidentiality, the person-centred approach and the growth mindset all of which will help you to effectively support someone to making steps towards positive change.
Mentors have a designated Programme Officer, offering 1-2-1 support when you need it.
What else do I need to know?
- A DBS check is required
- Due to the nature of our users of this programme, we are only accepting female volunteers for this role.
- In person session will take place near to where your mentee lives, within Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea boroughs.
- We especially welcome mentors over the age of 50, for our Women2Women: Sharing Wisdom, Sharing Lives sub programme. This is a great opportunity if you are looking to bridge a gap in your CV and get back into work. We provide references and development opportunities through training.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
At Doorstep Library, we’re dedicated to bringing the magic of books and the joy of reading directly into the homes of children who need our support.
With 1 in 4 children in the UK leaving primary school unable to read or write properly, we recruit and train in-person and online volunteers to introduce children from under-resourced areas to the pleasure of reading.
What’s Involved?
As a Doorstep Library reading volunteer, you’ll visit the same families via Zoom every week with eBooks to share with the children and encourage their love of reading.
You will:
- Handpick eBooks from our online portals based on the children’s age, interests, and reading level
- Join families via Zoom with your volunteer partner for 20-minute reading sessions
- Make notes after the session to keep track of how the child/ren are progressing
Our unique home-based approach allows our volunteers to build trusting relationships with families, helping them to connect with the community and equip them with the skills they need to succeed later in life.
When and Where?
You can be based anywhere in the UK to become a Doorstep Library online volunteer.
- Time commitment: One evening a week, or once every 3 weeks as a Stand-In Volunteer
- Hours per week: 2
- Days: Our projects run on Mondays, Tuesdays, or Thursdays from 4:30pm – 6:30pm
Skills/Experience Needed
- Be able to make a regular weekly commitment or once every 3 weeks for a Stand-In Volunteer during school term time
- Be compliant with our safeguarding procedures, complete an Enhanced DBS, Child Barred List check, and provide 2 references
- Enjoy spending time with children and believe in education for all
- Have comfortable fluency in English
- Be non-judgmental and respectful of a variety of lifestyles and children’s learning
- Have excellent communication skills – be able to listen to families and communicate effectively with Project Leaders (including via text/emails/calls with Doorstep Library staff)
- Be confident using technology – for connecting with families via Zoom and completing records
- Be organised – be able to multi-task in a multi-faceted role comprising of much more than solely reading to children
- Be reliable – always attending a pre-agreed session and giving plenty of notice in advance of absences
- Be friendly – to build good relationships with families, your volunteer partner and the rest of the team
- Be confident – to lead the session or mentor a new volunteer
- Be patient, persistent and flexible – tailoring your approach to each family’s needs
Doorstep Library is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and all those it comes into contact with. All volunteers undergo rigorous safer recruitment processes including specified interview questions, a DBS check, and the collection of written and/or verbal references. Safeguarding training is a mandatory part of the induction process for all volunteers, and they are expected to always adhere to our safeguarding policies and procedures.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
We are based in Camden, Hammersmith & Fulham, Kensington & Chelsea, Lambeth and Westminster.
At Doorstep Library, we’re dedicated to bringing the magic of books and the joy of reading directly into the homes of children who need our support.
With 1 in 4 children in the UK leaving primary school unable to read or write properly, we recruit and train in-person and online volunteers to introduce children from under-resourced areas to the pleasure of reading.
What’s Involved?
As a Doorstep Library reading volunteer, you’ll visit the same families at their homes every week with a backpack full of books to share with the children and encourage their love of reading.
You will:
- Handpick books based on the children’s age, interests, and reading level
- Visit their homes with your volunteer partner for 20-minute reading sessions
- Leave behind a selection of books for the children to borrow for the week
Our unique home-based approach allows our volunteers to build trusting relationships with families, helping them to connect with the community and equip them with the skills they need to succeed later in life.
When and Where?
We have volunteer opportunities in: Hammersmith, Parsons Green, Fulham Broadway, Shepherds Bush, East Acton, Latimer Road, Euston, Kings Cross, Marylebone, Edgware Road, Queens Park, Pimlico, Brixton and Tulse Hill.
- Time commitment: One evening a week, or once every 3 weeks as a Stand-In Volunteer
- Hours per week: 2.5
- Days: Our projects run on Mondays, Tuesdays, or Thursdays depending on where you are based from 4:30pm – 7:00pm
Skills/Experience Needed
- Be able to make a regular weekly commitment or once every 3 weeks for a Stand-In Volunteer during school term time
- Be compliant with our safeguarding procedures, complete an Enhanced DBS, Child Barred List check, and provide 2 references
- Enjoy spending time with children and believe in education for all
- Have comfortable fluency in English
- Be non-judgmental and respectful of a variety of lifestyles and children’s learning
- Have excellent communication skills – be able to listen to families and communicate effectively with Project Leaders (including via text/emails/calls with Doorstep Library staff)
- Be reliable – always attending a pre-agreed session and giving plenty of notice in advance of absences
- Be friendly – to build good relationships with families, your volunteer partner and the rest of the team
- Be confident – to lead the session or mentor a new volunteer
- Be patient, persistent and flexible – tailoring your approach to each family’s needs
Doorstep Library is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and all those it comes into contact with. All volunteers undergo rigorous safer recruitment processes including specified interview questions, a DBS check, and the collection of written and/or verbal references. Safeguarding training is a mandatory part of the induction process for all volunteers, and they are expected to always adhere to our safeguarding policies and procedures.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
The Family Works is an exciting trauma-informed, early intervention family support programme working across South Yorkshire. It equips workers and local volunteers to support families in their communities, families who may be isolated, lonely, vulnerable, or struggling to cope, across the whole of South Yorkshire. We provide support though relation-based services working to see the tide of family breakdown turn, to see children who are loved and cared for prosper and family relationships that are constructive instead of destructive and damaging.
We are now recruiting for Family Mentors to join our dedicated team. Family Mentors are trained volunteers who can work with the family by listening to them in a non-judgemental way and helping them gain the support they need to make changes, find solutions to their challenges and bring new hope into their lives.
The role involves working closely with a Link Worker, offering one to one listening support for a family, for one hour per week and supervision for one hour, over a period of 12 months.
If you are passionate about helping families to help themselves we’d love to hear from you.
The Family Works is an early-intervention, trauma-informed family support charity, working across South Yorkshire.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
At Koala NW, our volunteer support is at the heart of what we do and we know how much our families appreciate the support our volunteers offer.
As a Koala North West volunteer, you will be given the training and support to make a real difference to families in your community. You will also develop transferable skills which can support you in your life, whether that’s at home or at work. You will make friends along the way and join other volunteers for peer support sessions and join in celebrations like National Volunteers week & Christmas events.
Once you have completed your 6 session training programme, you will be matched to a suitable family to offer emotional and practical support. You will be supported by a coordinator and given support and supervision regularly.
Every family we support is unique so the support that we offer is equally unique to that family and depends entirely on the circumstances and what they would like support with. We help parents identify what they are already doing well, and support them to build on this to improve their relationships with their children.
You will be visiting families in their own homes once a week for an hour or two, if you have availability to support more than one family just let us know and you can be matched to additional families. Or you may be offering virtual support. During the pandemic, we had to adjust our home visiting to virtual support, via zoom, telephone /What’s App video calls/ texts. It proved very successful as this was a regular contact for families during lockdown.
Due to the success of virtual support, if families prefer this type of support as an alternative to home visits, that’s okay.
Support in one or more of the following areas could be offered:
- Social isolation/loneliness, support families to get outdoors, walking with them to the park or accompanying to appointments etc
- Poor emotional and/or mental health wellbeing
- Managing children’s behaviours/sleep issues
- School readiness
- Family bereavement
- Disability/complex needs or ill health
- New baby/multiple births
- Difficulty with home management/routine
- Budgeting
All home visits by volunteers are carried out between 9am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday. (Flexible around family and work commitments)
What does Koala NW expect from you?
- You have parenting experience
- You have a non-judgemental attitude
- You are flexible and are able to commit to 2 hours minimum each week for a period of at least 12 months
- You are able to attend a 6 session training course. Training is held in Chester and runs 1 day a week for 6 consecutive weeks between 9.30am and 2.30pm
- You are willing to attend ongoing training to support you in your volunteering role.
We are proud that 43% of our current staff started as volunteers with Koala North West.
Since we started, we have supported in excess of 12,000 families and trained more than 1,500 volunteers.
Volunteering can change a family's life and 1-2 hours per week can make such a huge difference. Our volunteers are the difference.
Full training will be provided and paid travel expenses.
Job Type: Volunteer
Work Location: In person
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
- You will be mentoring a Black or Brown person aged between 10 -25.
- Being a mentor who can relate to their experience as Black or Brown person you will support your mentee to help them to achieve and identify goals, helping to navigate the barriers to inclusion and assist them in achieving their goals,
- With the additional qualities of relatability and understanding, you will develop a trusting, supportive and non-judgemental relationship, by providing emotional, social and practical support to boost confidence and independence.
- You will support your mentee to make social connections with their local community, services or groups.
- You will have fun, as you laugh, reflect and overcome challenges together, igniting imagination, and being inspired by your mentee as you join on their journey to positive change.
- You will be contributing to making the voices of our Black and Brown Youth Advisory Council members, to not only be heard, but to be a reality. They told us that diversity in mentoring matters, and they want to see more of it. They felt that having mentors who look like them brings a different approach, relatability and understanding to their mentoring experience.
What impact will this have?
- With 9 out of 10 of the young people we work with saying that having a mentor has significantly improved their life, your skills and experiences are needed and will have a positive impact.
- We have a waiting list of young people looking for someone like you. You can be that someone in a young persons life that perhaps you wish you had, someone who can inspire, support and motivate a young person who looks like or identifies with you. All you need is time, commitment and your own experience of life, and we’ll help you with the rest.
Commitment
- We ask volunteers to commit to delivering mentoring1–2-hour a week, over a period of 24 sessions. Through mentee and mentor testimonies we have seen the positive impact holding sessions in person vs online has, and so we would ask any perspective volunteers to be prepared to be available for all in person sessions should this be the required need of your mentee.
- Attend monthly online group supervisions held weekday evenings. Supervisions are a great place to meet other mentors, share skills and ideas around mentoring, hear from organisation who can enhance your mentoring experience as well get support with the challenges you may face
Training
Through our comprehensive training and ongoing support, you will develop skills in positive psychology and coaching style techniques, cover topics including safeguarding, confidentiality, the person-centred approach and the growth mindset all of which will help you to effectively support someone to making steps towards positive change.
What else do I need to know?
- A DBS check is required
- In person sessions will take place near to where your mentee lives, within Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea boroughs.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
At Koala NW, our volunteer support is at the heart of what we do and we know how much our families appreciate the support our volunteers offer.
As a Koala North West volunteer, you will be given the training and support to make a real difference to families in your community. You will also develop transferable skills which can support you in your life, whether that’s at home or at work. You will make friends along the way and join other volunteers for peer support sessions and join in celebrations like National Volunteers week & Christmas events.
Once you have completed your 6 session training programme, you will be matched to a suitable family to offer emotional and practical support. You will be supported by a coordinator and given support and supervision regularly.
Every family we support is unique so the support that we offer is equally unique to that family and depends entirely on the circumstances and what they would like support with. We help parents identify what they are already doing well, and support them to build on this to improve their relationships with their children.
You will be visiting families in their own homes once a week for an hour or two, if you have availability to support more than one family just let us know and you can be matched to additional families. Or you may be offering virtual support. During the pandemic, we had to adjust our home visiting to virtual support, via zoom, telephone /What’s App video calls/ texts. It proved very successful as this was a regular contact for families during lockdown.
Due to the success of virtual support, if families prefer this type of support as an alternative to home visits, that’s okay.
Support in one or more of the following areas could be offered:
- Social isolation/loneliness, support families to get outdoors, walking with them to the park or accompanying to appointments etc
- Poor emotional and/or mental health wellbeing
- Managing children’s behaviours/sleep issues
- School readiness
- Family bereavement
- Disability/complex needs or ill health
- New baby/multiple births
- Difficulty with home management/routine
- Budgeting
All home visits by volunteers are carried out between 9am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday. (Flexible around family and work commitments)
What does Koala NW expect from you?
- You have parenting experience
- You have a non-judgemental attitude
- You are flexible and can commit to 2 hours minimum each week for a period of at least 12 months
- You are able to attend a 6 session training course. Training is held locally and runs 1 day a week for 6 consecutive weeks between 9.30am and 2.30pm
- You are willing to attend ongoing training to support you in your volunteering role.
We are proud that 43% of our current staff started as volunteers with Koala North West.
Since we started, we have supported in excess of 12,000 families and trained more than 1,500 volunteers.
Volunteering can change a family's life and 1-2 hours per week can make such a huge difference. Our volunteers are the difference.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
At Koala NW, our volunteer support is at the heart of what we do and we know how much our families appreciate the support our volunteers offer.
As a Koala North West volunteer, you will be given the training and support to make a real difference to families in your community. You will also develop transferable skills which can support you in your life, whether that’s at home or at work. You will make friends along the way and join other volunteers for peer support sessions and join in celebrations like National Volunteers week & Christmas events.
Once you have completed your 6 weeks training programme, you will be matched to a suitable family to offer emotional and practical support. You will be supported by a coordinator and given support and supervision regularly.
Every family we support is unique so the support that we offer is equally unique to that family and depends entirely on the circumstances and what they would like support with. We help parents identify what they are already doing well, and support them to build on this to improve their relationships with their children.
You will be visiting families in their own homes once a week for an hour or two, if you have availability to support more than one family just let us know and you can be matched to additional families. Or you may be offering virtual support. During the pandemic, we had to adjust our home visiting to virtual support, via zoom, telephone /What’s App video calls/ texts. It proved very successful as this was a regular contact for families during lockdown.
Due to the success of virtual support, if families prefer this type of support as an alternative to home visits, that’s okay.
Support in one or more of the following areas could be offered:
- Social isolation/loneliness, support families to get outdoors, walking with them to the park or accompanying to appointments etc
- Poor emotional and/or mental health wellbeing
- Managing children’s behaviours/sleep issues
- School readiness
- Family bereavement
- Disability/complex needs or ill health
- New baby/multiple births
- Difficulty with home management/routine
- Budgeting
All home visits by volunteers are carried out between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday. (Flexible around family and work commitments)
What do Koala NW expected from you?
- You have parenting experience
- You have a non-judgemental attitude
- You are flexible and are able to commit to 2 hours minimum each week for a period of at least 12 months
- You are able to attend a 6 week training course. Training is held in Liverpool and runs 1 day a week for 6 consecutive weeks between 9.30am and 2.30pm
- You are willing to attend ongoing training to support you in your volunteering role.
We are proud that 43% of our current staff started as volunteers with Koala North West.
Since we started, we have supported in excess of 12,000 families and trained more than 1,500 volunteers.
Volunteering can change a family's life and 1-2 hours per week can make such a huge difference. Our volunteers are the difference.
Full training will be provided and paid travel expenses.
Job Type: Volunteer
Work Location: In person