Volunteer Social Leader

British Exploring Society is a world class youth development charity with a unique heritage, founded on the belief that challenging experiences can transform lives, empowering and equipping young people with the courage, skills, resilience and determination to make the most of their future.

We prepare and take young people on expeditions to remote locations where they face challenges, gain skills and learn about themselves - as well as acquiring knowledge relevant to their lives and to the fragile environments that they explore.

The results are transformative – not just in terms of practical skills and resilience, but in a new-found confidence and self-belief which they carry forward to their future life.

More than this, through their adventure together, our young people forge friendships for life and become part of a unique supportive and continuing community of explorers with shared experiences, values and perspectives on the world.

We are committed to building an executive and volunteer team that together represent a diverse variety of backgrounds, skills, and perspectives on the world. The more inclusive we are, the better we think we’ll be at delivering our charitable aims.

We are an equal opportunities employer and do not discriminate on the grounds of gender identity, sexual orientation, marital or civil partner status, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, disability, or age.

If you are interested in applying and require any accessibility adjustments to the interview process, please do let us know when you apply. Thank you.

Upcoming opportunities for Social Leaders

The implementation of personal development plays an integral role on expedition, as such British Exploring Society recruits passionate, skilled volunteer Social Leaders. These Leaders bring with them experience working with young people in remote settings and can inspire and facilitate the development of young people by leading on delivering youth development activities, as well as providing pastoral care and behavioural support to young people on expedition.

Working in partnership with other expedition Leaders, they will be responsible for safety, wellbeing and development of 10 - 12 young people. They will help the team carry out the planned adventurous and knoweldge activities, whilst also providing expertise specifically pertaining to their role, this includes taking lead responsibility of provison of pastoral care for particpants in your group and providing tailored support to young people with additional support needs. For more information about the Social Leader role, please refer to the Leader Role Description attached.

Expeditions are between 2 and 6 weeks long and take place during academic holiday periods. We are currently recruiting volunteer Leaders for all our expeditions for Summer 2024.

We are also recruiting for Knowledge Leaders, Adventure Leaders, and Medical Leaders and are keen to hear from those with relevant or transferable senior leadership experience to fulfil our Basecamp Manager, Chief and Deputy Chief Leader roles. For more information about the Leader roles on expediotion, please visit our website.

Benefits of being a volunteer Leader with us:

Community - Our Volunteer Leader community come from a variety of backgrounds, ages and professions bring a diverse range of skills and experiences. Not only will you become a Member of British Exploring Society after leading with us but will leave with strong bonds and shared memories.

Courage - Set in wild, remote and sometimes harsh environments that young people aren’t used to. Working in this environment and supporting young people requires Leaders to show courage and be adaptable and dynamic, allowing for a unique and new experience - 100% of Leaders said they had acquired new skills.

Challenge – Our expeditions can be challenging. To prepare Leaders we provide high quality training and personal development. This offers Leaders the opportunity to develop & stretch their skills, such as youth work, technical, leadership and facilitation - 74% of Leaders said that volunteering with us had furthered their career.

Self-belief - From beginning to the end, you will be supported whilst developing their confidence. - 90% of our Leaders said they were more confident after expedition.

We are looking for applicants who are:

• Able and passionate about leading, inspiring, and teaching young people.
• Comfortable spending extended periods in remote and sometimes harsh environments.
• Able to commit to all pre- expedition training events. Dates are still being confirmed for the 2024 season though they will be similar to the 2023 pre-expedition training events. Please keep checking the link attached for the 2024 dates.
• Available for expedition for 2 to 6 weeks from mid July

As a charity, all Leader positions are undertaken on a voluntary basis and Leaders join for the intrinsic value of adventure, education, and personal development of young people. You do not have to fundraise to lead on our expeditions.

Prior to expedition all volunteer Leaders will receive training and support. We ask that first time Leaders cover the cost of their flights as part of the group booking booked by British Exploring Society, who will then reclaim the cost from Leaders. Flight costs will be covered for all returning Leaders. Leaders will need to provide their own personal kit as well as vaccinations and visas (if applicable). Leaders may claim expenses for UK training events. All other expedition costs are covered, including insurance, specialist equipment, expedition food and accommodation.

Leader Recruitment Pack

For more information about what volunteering with us looks like, please refer to our Leader Recruitment Pack attached below.