513 Volunteer volunteer roles in South East

Come and make a difference to some young people who really need your input.

Go Beyond are a national UK charity giving children who have been bereaved, abused or bullied, who are living in poverty or caring for loved ones the chance to escape their worries and pressures through free breaks in the countryside. We need volunteers to help us deliver fun, creative and adventurous activities throughout the year.

Go Beyond’s centres in Essex, the Cornish coastline, and on the edge of the Peak District are where vulnerable young people facing various challenges in their life come for a week of freedom and fun. Running Monday-Friday throughout the year, our breaks give children and young people the chance for time away from the worries of their everyday life, to make friends, try new things, build confidence, and ultimately go home inspired by what the world can offer them and what they, in turn, can offer the world.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

As a breaks volunteer, you will be part of a team, including trained Break Leaders, and will support by being an extra pair of eyes and ears, and a helping hand where needed. You will spend time with the young people attending Go Beyond and help ensure they have a positive week full of experiences and memories that will last a lifetime!

Full training and support will be given throughout. We have a wide variety of volunteer roles available and key responsibilities can include:

• Helping the Break Leaders with day-to-day tasks, such as setting up activities and keeping the centre tidy
• Assisting at mealtimes with preparing, serving, and cleaning
• Leading planned activities based on your skills with support from Break Leaders (such as baking, sports games, gardening, arts and crafts etc.)
• Capturing photos of special moments for the young people (using Go Beyond cameras only)
• Accompanying our driver to collect or drop off groups and supervise behaviour on the buses
• To be a positive role model and lead by example at all times
• To be encouraging and supportive to the young people and take an interest in each child
• To take part in the activities alongside the young people
• To be aware of boundaries and know when it is important to enforce these
• To inform the Break Leaders of any issues or concerns you have relating to the young people or the break experience
• To contribute to personalised messages which the young people receive in their goody bags as a lasting memory of their Go Beyond break
• To read, sign and ensure Safeguarding and Health and Safety Policies and Reporting Procedures are followed, and contribute to Go Beyond Hazard Analysis Critical Control Principles, Risk Assessment and Quality Assurance processes.

Qualities & Skills

• Enthusiasm and a willingness to help
• Good communication skills and a positive, friendly attitude
• Non-judgemental and approachable
• Experience of working with young people
• Willingness to work flexibly, adapting tasks to suit the needs of the group
• Ability to work well as part of a team in a busy, fast-paced environment

What you can gain from volunteering with Go Beyond

• Gain new skills and experience in a professional environment
• Training and personal development opportunities
• Join an enthusiastic team of people who want to make a difference, just like you
• We will happily provide a reference for volunteers who complete training and reach the agreed number of volunteer hours
• Have a rewarding experience making a difference to children living in desperately difficult circumstances across the UK

Time commitment

A break will run Monday to Friday, various weeks throughout the year

Application process

• Complete the application form online 
• Two successful references will be required
• A successful DBS check would need to be completed (we pay, but you will need to prove your ID at the Post Office, which costs £12)
• A 30 minute online induction session
• Discussion of which break, where and when.