People First Youth Projects Volunteer (Carlisle only)
People First Youth Projects Volunteer
A Youth Team volunteer would assist in the running of youth activities at the conference centre and out in the community.
Reporting to: Youth Team Leader
Contract: Voluntary Position
Salary: Expenses will be provided
Young People First
People First has worked with young people for over 18 years. Formerly known as ‘youth projects’, Young People First works with young people with learning difficulties and/or autism both at our conference centre and out in the community to have their voices heard, make friends, and make a difference. The Youth Team is a small, friendly team based in Carlisle at the moment, but we are looking to expand to West Cumbria in the future.
15-25 Club – Monday Nights
This project focusses mental health, wellbeing, aspirations and transition. The project looks to develop self-advocacy skills, supporting young people to be confident in their own voice, representing themselves and ‘rooting’ that voice in shaping their future. The young people in the group design their own social outings and make their own rules!
Youth Activities – Timetable Varies
Other youth activities are open to young people aged 10-25 with learning difficulties and/or autism. We aim to establish safe spaces through social activities like bowling, arts and crafts and trips out on the train, to museums and further afield.
Role Profile
A youth team volunteer would assist in the running of youth activities at the conference centre and out in the community. This would include:
- Helping youth workers set up for activities, meeting and greeting the young people and helping them get settled in.
- During activities you would support youth workers in keeping the group together, doing regular check-ins with the young people. You would be open to 1:1 discussion (within the larger group setting) and you would need to listen carefully for anything that might indicate a safeguarding issue and report back to the team. (Training is provided)
- Have crucial conversations with the young people and provide support or guidance.
- You would also give pastoral support to the young people and listen to what they have to say.
- This volunteer would also seek opportunities to take photographs of the young people engaging in activities which can be used to measure progress and further advertise the youth projects on social media.
- As well as helping run activities, the volunteer would assist youth workers in tidying up afterwards and ensuring all young people are collected by their caregivers.
Person Specification
The ideal candidate will have a good knowledge of technology and how this can be used to support young people with learning difficulties and/or autism meet their full potential. The candidate will need to be lively and energetic; but calm, compassionate and empathetic when required. The ideal candidate will be patient and able to identify with and understand the needs of young people with learning difficulties and/or autism. Experience in working with groups of young people. A good understanding of human rights and the disability rights movement is also desirable, however you would learn a lot about this volunteering with the team.
The volunteer role will be subject to DBS checks
There may be an informal interview/chat with the young people who attend our activities to get to know you first.
Ongoing training and support will be provided.