Resilience Programme Volunteer

Resilience Programme Volunteer – Role Description

The Youth Adventure Trust is a registered youth development charity working with vulnerable young people aged 11 to 16 years old from Somerset, Wiltshire and Swindon. Our programme provides young people with the chance to try new things and challenge themselves, experience success, learn to go beyond their expectations and grow in confidence. They have the chance to take part in a range of activities, work in a team, experience group living and challenge themselves in a new environment. The programme is built around 10 monthly day activities and 1 overnight residential. 

As a Resilience Programme Volunteer, you will work with groups of young people alongside other volunteers, trained members of staff and activity instructors during a series of day activities throughout the year. You will have the opportunity to take part in the activities alongside the young people, helping them to get the most out of their time on our programme. 

You will ensure the welfare and organisation of the young people, help them to get involved and overcome issues, encourage and support their social relationships and help guide your team to work together.

What can you bring to the role?

A wide range of experience, knowledge and skills - we really value the diversity our volunteers bring

An opportunity to raise the aspirations of young people and to broaden their world view of careers and life experiences

An interest and enthusiasm for outdoor activities and/or working with young people.

What can the role offer you?     

A real sense of achievement and high levels of self-satisfaction in witnessing a group of young people develop. Pride in knowing that you have helped to give them a worthwhile and meaningful experience.

A chance to connect with like-minded people.

An opportunity to improve your CV or develop a range of transferable skills.

Increased self-confidence and improved wellbeing.

An opportunity to support a cause that you believe in, and to make a significant impact through volunteering, but without a regular or significantly time consuming commitment.

A chance to have fun, try new activities and to have your own adventures.

A reference for future employment, education or volunteering opportunities.

What we would like from you

Resilience Programme Volunteers need to be resilient, enthusiastic, hardworking and willing to get involved in a wide range of activities. You should be a responsible individual and positive role model.

You will need to represent the charity with professionalism and without prejudice.

Previous experience of working with young people would be beneficial but is not essential.

A commitment to attend a local (Somerset) day long training event, which will form part of the selection process.

No formal qualifications are required.

You must be aged 21 years old or over.

You will need to undertake an enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check, register for the DBS Update Service and agree to the Youth Adventure Trust to perform an annual check of your DBS status

You will be required to provide two references and meet us for an informal interview.

How the Youth Adventure Trust will support you

Provide you with training through an annual volunteer training day, online training modules and additional group or bespoke sessions.

Provide you with a Youth Adventure Trust Volunteer Handbook full of information and guidance.

Reimburse any out of pocket expenses in accordance with our Volunteer Policy, and help to organise travel to and from activities.

Ensure there is support from experienced volunteers as well as YAT staff members.

Provide comprehensive information and briefing in advance of any activities, and the opportunity for debriefing afterwards.

The full support of a dedicated Volunteer Manager.

We’ll arrange a date and time to speak on the phone to talk in more detail about the work of the Youth Adventure Trust and your role as a volunteer. After that we’ll email you a Volunteer Application Pack, including an application form.

The Youth Adventure Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and expects all volunteers to share this commitment.