3 Adults activities coordinator volunteer roles in Leeds

Opportunities across Hertfordshire, Luton, Bedfordshire and Solihull

Make a real difference to the life of a child or young person

The National Youth Advocacy Service (NYAS) is a leading children's rights charity dedicated to supporting and empowering children, young people and care leavers.

We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to join our Independent Visitor and Side by Side services, helping children and young people build confidence, reduce isolation and achieve positive outcomes.

This is a rewarding opportunity to make a genuine difference in someone's life while gaining valuable experience and becoming part of a supportive volunteer community.

Which volunteering opportunity is right for you?

Independent Visitor Volunteer

Children and young people in care deserve the opportunity to build trusted, positive relationships with adults who can offer consistency, encouragement and support.

As an Independent Visitor, you'll spend quality one-to-one time with a child or young person, taking part in activities, sharing experiences and building a meaningful friendship.

Young Person Quote:

"It gives you a friend that you can spend time with doing the things you like to do."

We ask for a commitment of a few hours each month for a minimum of two years.

Side by Side Volunteer

Many care leavers face adulthood without the support network that many young people rely on. Leaving care can be an exciting but challenging time, with some young people experiencing loneliness, isolation and uncertainty about the future.

As a Side by Side Volunteer, you will provide practical and emotional support to a care leaver, helping them build confidence, develop independence and navigate life's challenges.

Whether it's helping them access services, supporting them in achieving their goals, or simply being someone they can trust and talk to, your support can make a lasting difference.

We ask for a commitment of a few hours each month for a minimum of 12 months.

What you'll do

Depending on the role, you could:

• Build a trusted, positive relationship with a child, young person or care leaver.
• Meet regularly for activities, outings and conversations.
• Offer emotional support and encouragement.
• Support young people to build confidence and independence.
• Help young people access opportunities, services and support.
• Promote their rights, wellbeing and aspirations.
• Maintain brief records of meetings and activities. You don't need specific qualifications or previous experience.

We're looking for people who are:

• Good communicators.
• Compassionate, reliable and non-judgemental.
• Committed to supporting children and young people.
• Able to respect and value individual wishes and feelings.
• Comfortable completing basic online records and reports.
• Willing to participate in training and ongoing support.

What you'll receive

• Full training and ongoing support from a dedicated coordinator.
• Regular supervision and volunteer support meetings.
• Reimbursement of reasonable travel and activity expenses.
• Opportunities to develop new skills and gain valuable experience.
• The chance to make a lasting difference to the life of a vulnerable child or young person.

Requirements

• Based in the UK.
• Enhanced DBS check.
• References and Digital Risk Assessment.
• Completion of relevant training.
• Ability to complete online tasks and reports.

Applicants for Side by Side must be aged 25+.

Volunteer Quote

"Volunteering with NYAS has reinforced my belief in the crucial role of community support in empowering the next generation. Witnessing the positive changes and growth in the young person I support highlights the tangible impact that dedicated volunteers can have on building a brighter future for vulnerable individuals."

Interested?

We would love to hear from you.

Apply today and help ensure that children, young people and care leavers have someone by their side when they need it most.

The Dementia Services supports people to live independently and safely at home for as long as possible, stay socially engaged and carry on doing what they love. The service supports Camden residents over the age of 55 in the early or moderate stages of dementia.

We offer clients from the Dementia Services (befriending and wellbeing) a short performance or creative activity delivered by a volunteer visual artist, musician, dancer, actor, performer, and other creative artforms. You may choose to share a creative hobby or an art form you practice professionally.

What does the role involve? 

·Share your creative talent or hobby with older people living with dementia by delivering a short performance to an older person at home or providing an opportunity for them to participate in a creative activity.

·Visit a minimum of 4 times per year for up to 1.5 hours each time, including 20/30 minutes for the performance/activity.

·Provide opportunities for connection with older people during your visit through conversation and engagement.

• Liaise with service coordinators to link with clients who have asked to receive these visits/calls.
• Provide feedback after every performance, including positive impact, improvements to the delivery of visits or concerns regarding the client. 

What will you get out of it?

·An opportunity to create meaningful experiences for all

·Be part of something rewarding and fulfilling

·Training in dementia awareness, safeguarding and more

·Supervision and support

·Reimbursement of expenses

·Opportunities to meet other volunteers

What are the benefits for people living with dementia?

 Many of the clients we support in this service are housebound or do not have the confidence or opportunity to attend events. Some clients may be artists, performers and creatives in their own right who do not get an opportunity to engage with or experience this aspect of their lives anymore.

Giving people who are living with memory loss an opportunity to be part of creative activities is a stimulating, fun way of putting them in touch with memories, other people and the wider community.

Bringing your artform into peoples’ homes can have a huge impact on reducing isolation, encouraging connection and bring a sprinkle of joy to those living with dementia.

We are looking for people who have:

• An interest in sharing or performing their creative, artistic skill whether you are a hobbyist or a professional: 
• Singing

·Playing a musical instrument

·Visual art activity

·Poetry/acting

·Dancing

·Culture-specific art/music/dance/poetry

These are just a handful of examples, but we will consider applications from a variety of artists/musicians/ performers and are open to suggestions.

What other attributes do you need?

• Good verbal and written skills in English 

• Enjoy conversation.
• A desire to learn more about an individual and their interests and their past, and life history
• Consistency and reliability 
• An ability to empathise and understand the needs and experiences of an individual with dementia and memory loss.
• Understanding of confidentiality
• Patience and sensitivity
• Confidence to deal with emergencies
• Requirement to undertake induction training and follow guidelines and policies of Age UK Camden

Volunteering Hours 

Performances/activities:Usually approx. 20 -30 minutes but 1-1.5hrs are assigned to the visit

 Minimum of 4 - 6 visits a year (you can opt to do more). 

Visits will be a time agreed between you and the older person you are matched with.

Please note, early morning and late evenings are generally not suitable times for visits. 

Training and induction are provided for the role and includes: 

• Online Dementia Awareness course 
• Age UK Camden organisational induction 
• Induction to Dementia Befriending and Dementia Wellbeing Services and relationships, how to deliver a performer visit
• Safeguarding Adults online course
• Data Awareness online course

We will give you:

• Ongoing support including regular supervision by the coordinator of the service.
• Reimbursement of agreed expenses 
• Access to Volunteer Forum events

 If you are interested, we will ask you to: 

• Complete an application form

• Meet with Dementia Services staff member
• Provide details of two Referees
• Complete an Enhanced DBS check (we arrange this with you)
• Induction and training (as laid out above)

We understand that completing the various steps takes time, and we support and keep in touch with you through the process. 

As this role brings our volunteers into regular contact with vulnerable older people, we make sure that all volunteers understand their role and have completed our recruitment procedures to both our and their satisfaction.