Resources to support young people interested in volunteering

Volunteers’ Week (3 – 9 June) celebrates the work of volunteers across the UK, with this year marking the 40th anniversary of the annual event.

This year Volunteers’ Week will culminate in The Big Help Out, from Friday 7 to Sunday 9 June, where people will get the chance to experience a range of volunteer taster sessions.

To mark Volunteers’ Week, CYP Now is sharing a sample of resources available for professionals looking to support the young people they work with to give back to their communities:

Getting your organisation ready for young people

• The NSPCC’s guidance for young volunteer safeguarding provides technical advice for organisations who wish to involve young people in volunteering. This includes what the law and best practice advises for the age that you can volunteer, the type of activity and the supervision that young people might need.

• A participation practice guide from Young Minds answers some frequently asked questions about rewarding and recognising young people who take part in activities.

Creating roles that meet young people’s needs

• Community First’s young volunteer handbook describes the different types of volunteer activities that young people could take part in, and what organisations would need to do to support these.

• 3VA’s practical guide for young people and volunteering provides case studies, best practice tips and a checklist for designing roles and recruitment processes which suit young people.

Designing innovative volunteer activities

• For young people who are interested in health and social care, NHS England’s 15 Steps challenge provides a framework for young leaders to review features of the care environment. Through this, they can share their views to service managers and commissioners to improve the look and feel of services.

• Healthwatch North East Lincolnshire have produced top tips for local Healthwatch organisations looking to involve young volunteers in health and care initiatives.

• In England Athletics’ guide for youth volunteering, the organisation sets out how to involve young people in volunteering at sports clubs. It describes a good volunteering role as one that is FABS: Fun, Altruistic, and that nurtures a sense of Belonging and Self-Development.

• Our Brighter Future’s good practice guide describes how best to involve young people in organisational governance and leadership roles, like on a board or panel.

Tracking skills and learning

• In partnership with the National Citizen Service (NCS), the Skills Builder benchmark tool allows young people to assess their initial skill levels, set goals and reflect on what they learn from volunteering.

Do you have any tips or resources to support young people into volunteering? Email cypnow@markallengroup.com