Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Description
The National Youth Advocacy Service is a wonderful children's rights charity dedicated to supporting and empowering young people who have experienced care.
We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers in Hereford and surrounding areas to befriend and mentor a young person in care.
This is a rewarding opportunity to make a real difference in a young person's life!
Young Person quote: 'It gives you a friend that you can spend time with doing the things you like to do’
Children and young people in care truly deserve an adult who can share their time, engage in fun activities, and build a trusting and meaningful relationship. Your visits can easily fit into your schedule, allowing you to juggle your commitments while being a positive role model for a young person.
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."
We kindly ask for just a few hours once a month for a minimum of two years.
A set budget will cover activities and travel expenses so you can focus on making a difference without any worries.
If you're interested, we would love to hear from you.
Thank you for considering this opportunity!
Expectations
- Two-year commitment
- Minimum age of 18
- Based in the UK
- DBS check
- Digital risk assessment compliance
- Completion of training relevant to the role
- Ability to complete online tasks and reports
- Ability to complete online tasks and reports
Benefits
This is a worthwhile opportunity where you will make a positive difference to the life of a vulnerable young person, become part of a leading national children's charity, gain valuable experience, meet new people and have fun!
Registered Charity
101 - 500
At NYAS, we listen to what children, young people and vulnerable adults want. We empower them to have their voices heard.
Thank you!
Why we need your help
We provide free games and activity sessions with tailored support for children with additional needs and disabilities. We support over 100 children, known as our ‘athletes’, with a wide range of additional needs, including autism, cerebral palsy, non-visible disabilities, and global development delay. At KEEN London, we strive to use fun and games to improve young people's wellbeing, and personal, social and emotional development as well as broadening experiences to increase skills and confidence.
Purpose of the role
Our Volunteer Coaches are the backbone of a KEEN London session! You’ll provide one-to-one support to an athlete, helping them to access all the activities on offer, achieve their personal development goals, and of course have tons of fun! You can expect to get involved with a wide range of playground games, ball games, nature walks, and creative activities. From time to time, we also run trips for our athletes, and previous trips have included trampoline parks, high ropes courses, pedalo boating and slime-making classes.
Tasks and activities
● You’ll support our athletes to engage with the session, and have fun while they’re doing it.
● You’ll help our Service Coordinators develop goals for our athletes, track their progress, and give them lots of encouragement along the way.
● You’ll work with your Service Coordinators and fellow Coaches to come up with new games, develop resources, and plan activities.
● We want our athletes to enjoy being active, making friends, and trying new things - and we want you to join in the activities with them!
● Our athletes love working with energetic and enthusiastic people, and we’ll ensure that all your hard work will be rewarded with a great time.
Please note: To ensure that you are equipped and ready to take on this role, there is a thorough application process which includes but is not limited to: an information session, an in-person onboarding training evening, an enhanced DBS check, reference checks and a safeguarding quiz. All elements of the onboarding process have to be completed satisfactorily before you can start volunteering in this role.
Why Volunteer with KEEN London?
KEEN London would not be what it is without the volunteers who support our work, and we want to ensure that all our volunteers gain just as much from their volunteering journey as they put into the charity. Here’s what you’ll get in return for supporting us:
● Regular volunteer social events, and opportunities to meet other coaches
● We will provide you with ongoing feedback and support to enable you to reach your full potential at KEEN, you will receive an induction and handbook prior to starting your role and you will receive access to a virtual training portal with additional resources.
● We will give you opportunities to access other roles to help you broaden your skills, such as becoming a Captain or Session Leader.
● Long-term volunteers receive t-shirts, badges, and advance sign-ups to our popular events
● We have a budget set aside to cover volunteer expenses (see Volunteer Agreement below)
● We will provide job/character references to volunteers after a reasonable period of volunteering with us.
Volunteer Agreement
All KEEN London volunteers are asked to observe the Volunteer Agreement. This agreement is binding in honour only, is not intended to be a legally binding contract between us and may be cancelled at any time at the discretion of either party. Neither of us intends any employment relationship to be created either now or at any time in the future.
As a volunteer with KEEN London, you can expect:
● To be a part of a unique and evolving charity that is providing a valuable service to children and young people with additional needs.
● To be introduced to how the organisation works and your role within it.
● A supportive and reciprocal environment that ensures a positive experience for you as a volunteer.
● To be invited to volunteer at special events and fundraising activities.
● Reimbursement of any reasonable travel expenses.
● To be treated fairly and equally with dignity and respect, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender or gender identity, age, (dis)ability, religion or sexual orientation.
● A safe and healthy environment for you to volunteer in.
● Any problems or complaints to be investigated quickly and resolved fairly.
● Recognition for your efforts and successes – celebrating achievements and rewarding loyalty and dedication.
● To receive, if required, a reference after a reasonable time of volunteering.
● Access to free Charity Worker Discounts.
Our expectations of volunteers:
● To maintain and uphold the reputation and good name of the charity.
● To treat other volunteers, staff and service users fairly and with dignity, and to respect everyone equally, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender or gender identity, age, (dis)ability, religion or sexual orientation.
● To ensure appropriate levels of confidentiality and data protection are upheld.
● To uphold our Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy. This includes ensuring that when out of sight of other adults a ratio of 2 adults to 1 athlete is in place, and that you report any concerns you have about the safety and wellbeing of athletes to the Coordinator as soon as possible.
● To adhere to all health and safety instructions.
● To be punctual and reliable when attending sessions, and inform the coordinator via phone call as soon as possible if you are unable to attend.
● To attend at least 2 sessions per month for at least 6 months.
● To bring energy, enthusiasm and a willingness to learn to all sessions.
Role Description Internal Ref Number: COACH4
Registered Charity
6 - 10
Every child has a chance to enjoy sports and activities, and none are left behind due to disability.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
What Will You Be Doing?
As a Trustee of Autism Together, you can make a very real difference to the lives of the people we support.
The Board is looking to add to the existing Trustee team, to support Autism Together with its ideas for growth and implementation of its ongoing strategic business plan. As a new Trustee, you can play a pivotal role in driving new pathways to grow our charity and further improve support for the people in our care.
Successful applicants will be joining the board of one of the UK's leading specialist service providers, a charitable organisation which directly supports over 400 autistic adults, through a workforce of more than 900 staff.
Founded in Wirral, Merseyside, in 1968 by a group of pioneering parents, today the charity ranks among the top 1,500 charities by turnover in the UK.
Autism Together is a complex, stimulating, award-winning organisation with an annual income of over £33m and a substantial property portfolio. The charity provides Residential care, Supported Living, Day Services, specialist autism training, and offers advice and support to families across the region.
The organisation manages two farms, an expansive woodland, three cafés, and a rock band led by people the charity supports.
As a charity, our mission is to help autistic people develop to their full potential, and to educate and develop their community around them.
Our Charity Values Are:
- To promote positive communication.
- Be person-centred.
- Promote learning.
- Be respectful.
- Enhance community connection.
Autism affects everyone differently, so we work with each individual to help them overcome the difficulties the condition presents them with, helping them to lead a more active, creative, and fulfilling life.
As a Trustee, you will help us to maintain our missions, values, and ethos as we work towards our strategic goals.
What Are We Looking For?
We are seeking Trustees who will bring relevant skills and experience in at least one of the following areas:
- Community-led development and action.
- Financial management.
- Legal and HR experience in the field of commercial and charity law.
- Communications experience.
- IT and governance structures.
- Property and Estates.
- Governance and/or knowledge of quality assurance.
Beyond technical and strategic abilities, we are looking for individuals who are committed to our mission and values, with strong interpersonal skills to constructively challenge the Board and the Executives in the best interests of the people we support.
Joining the Board of a leading national provider of services to autistic people, you will work alongside the current Board of Trustees and the Executive Team to provide a sector-leading service to propel the organisation into a bright, secure and successful future, supporting autistic people and their families to live rich and fulfilling lives.
We look forward to hearing from you.
What Difference Will You Make?
This is an exciting time to be joining our organisation, as we start to see the fruits of our ongoing strategic business plan and continue to expand our portfolio of estates.
This Trustee position is key to supporting the governance of Autism Together, helping guide the organisation in the right direction, while giving our staff the tools and opportunities to provide the best possible care for the people we support.
The Board plays a key role in the running of Autism Together. It sets out the organisational strategy and is responsible for agreeing the direction and values of the charity, while overseeing the finances and managing risk.
With the recent appointment of a new interim CEO, it is an important time for our Trustees to support our existing plans for growth, while looking towards the future of our charity. We need individuals who can offer professional and practical experience, in order to bolster our Board as they undertake key governance decisions in the best interests of the organisation.
Our Trustees contribute significantly to the strategic planning and direction of Autism Together and successful candidates will need to demonstrate experience in governance and good communication, while conforming to our Trustee Code.
The Board recognises that diversity of Trustees is vital if we are to operate with excellence, and we warmly welcome applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds.
Trustees are expected to attend 8 board meetings per year, become actively involved in at least one quarterly sub-committee, and to familiarise themselves with all aspects of the charity's work.
Interested in the Position?
Please apply via this site, letting us know why you wish to become a trustee of Autism Together and what skills you believe you will bring to this position.
All applications will considered by the Board’s Nominations Committee. If you are shortlisted, you will be contacted for an informal chat with a trustee, the CEO or a member of the Executive Team and a visit to view some of our facilities to gain a better understanding of the services. Following this, a mutually convenient date for interview will be arranged.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.