Young Person's Group Helper (Rees Wellbeing Hub, Plymouth)

Barnardo’s is committed to providing ‘Better Outcomes for More Children’. Our children’s services volunteers help the charity to deliver essential services in local communities, providing support to over 300,000 children, young people and their families. This role provides a great opportunity to join our fantastic children’s services and help make a real difference. Young Person’s Group Helpers work across a range of groups supporting young people during their transition from being a young person to an adult. Groups tend to focus on a specific group or need, such as Care Leaver’s, Mental Wellbeing, LGBT+ Identifying Young people, Older Young Carers or Young Offenders. As a Wellbeing Hub, Rees aims to support our local residents, including children and young people, in accessing information and activities to improve their overall wellbeing. We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers who would like to invest their time in making a difference to young people’s lives; who are friendly and approachable with the ability to engage young people in taking steps to overcome problems, and improve their self-confidence and mental health. **Young Person's Group Helpers** will be: (1) supporting the running of our youth café on a Wednesday evening which provides a variety of refreshments for young people and offers a safe space to hang out and seek support; (2) providing one to one wellbeing conversations with young people and, providing emotional support, information (including around sexual health) and signposting to our partner agencies; (3) Working with our partners to support group courses and activities such as Emotional Logic, Wellbeing café, LGBTQ+ peer group, and (4) Gathering views of local young people for service development. We are looking for volunteers with a passion for making a difference in young peoples' lives, a fun and approachable attitude and an ability to engage young people in worthwhile and enjoyable activities.
Barnardo's protects, supports and nurtures the UK's most vulnerable children. Barnardo's helps bring out the best in children – no matter who they are or what they have been through. Our volunteers help make this happen.

• Tasks: Planning and organising group activities, which take into consideration age, abilities and interests of members.
  
  Setting up group activities in advance and clearing away afterwards. This might include preparing refreshments/snacks, organising the layout of the room, preparing resources and tidying the room after the group.
  
  Assisting young people to improve their self-confidence, develop social skills and build positive relationships.
  
  Role modelling positive behaviour and interactions during sessions.
  
  Supporting specific young people to take an active part in groups.
  
  Collating and evaluating feedback from young people.
  
  Adhering to Barnardo's policies and procedures at all times, including Barnardo's: Safeguarding; Equality, Diversity and Inclusion; Health & Safety; Data Protection; Confidentiality; Recording policies and procedures.
  
  Participating fully in training and supervision.
  
  Volunteering within Barnardo's Basis and Values.

• Skills: Reliable, punctual and trustworthy.
  
  Approachable and welcoming.
  
  Passion, enthusiasm, compassion, understanding and having an open minded approach.
  
  An understanding of the issues faced by young people.
  
  Being passionate about making a difference in the lives young people.
  
  Preferably have some experience of working with young people.

• Benefits: Full induction and training.
  
  Other training opportunities relevant to the volunteer role.
  
  Regular supervision and support.
  
  Out of pocket expenses agreed in advance.
  
  Access to the Barnardo’s internal vacancy listing.
  
  Our volunteers tell us about lots of other benefits of volunteering including; experience of working with children, young people and families; experience for your CV; supporting your local community; meeting new people; increasing self-confidence; feeling like you are making a difference; improving your health and wellbeing; and a chance to contribute to a worthwhile children’s charity.

Disclaimer: We look to recruit a diverse range of volunteers. If your skills don't fit the above, please do not let this put you off as we are able to be flexible with most of our roles. If you are unable to apply online through the link on this page, please contact the Barnardo's Volunteering Team on volunteering@barnardos.org.uk or call us on 0208 498 7320