Volunteer
Volunteer with YLA UK: Empowering Futures Together
Make a Difference. Become a YLA Volunteer
At YLA, we believe every young person deserves the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their background. Our mission is to empower young people from disadvantaged communities, helping them to unlock their potential, improve their social mobility, and achieve their educational aspirations.
Volunteers are at the very heart of this mission. Your dedication and support directly enable us to expand our reach and provide the vital one-to-one and group support that truly transforms lives. By volunteering with us, you become a powerful force for positive change, directly contributing to a brighter future for young people across the UK.
Ready to make a tangible impact? Explore how you can join our team and help us build a more equitable future.
Why Volunteer with YLA
Volunteering with YLA offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a meaningful cause while also developing personally and professionally.
- Direct Impact: You will play a crucial role in improving educational outcomes and social mobility for young people who need it most. Your time helps them build confidence, develop skills, and access opportunities they might otherwise miss.
- Personal Growth: Gain new perspectives, develop valuable communication and mentoring skills, and experience the profound satisfaction of making a difference in someone's life. Many volunteers find their experiences deeply enriching and transformative.
- Community: Become part of a passionate, supportive, and diverse team dedicated to creating lasting positive change. You'll connect with like-minded individuals and contribute to a vibrant community.
- Flexible Opportunities: We understand that your time is valuable. We strive to offer a range of roles and time commitments to fit different schedules and skill sets, making it easier for you to contribute.
What Our Volunteers Do: Your Role in Empowering Young People
YLA volunteers are integral to the success of our programmes. They support young people in various capacities, bringing their unique skills and enthusiasm to our work.
Here are some examples of the vital roles our volunteers undertake:
Mentoring
Provide consistent guidance, encouragement, and a positive role model for a young person. This involves listening, offering advice, and helping them navigate challenges and set goals.
Workshop Support
Assist our programme facilitators during educational workshops, events, and activities. This could involve helping with group tasks, providing one-on-one assistance to participants, or managing materials.
Programme Administration
Support the operational side of YLA. This might include data entry, helping with outreach communications, preparing resources, or assisting with general office tasks.
Skills-Based Volunteering
If you have specialist skills in areas such as graphic design, social media management, photography, videography, or fundraising strategy, you could help us on specific projects to enhance our outreach and impact.
Our Commitment to Our Volunteers
We highly value our volunteers and are committed to ensuring you have a positive, safe, and rewarding experience with YLA.
- Support & Training: All volunteers receive a comprehensive induction, role-specific training, and ongoing support from our dedicated staff team. We ensure you feel confident and equipped for your role.
- Safeguarding: The safety and well-being of the young people we support are paramount. All volunteers undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (or equivalent for those residing outside the UK but volunteering with us directly), and receive safeguarding training as part of their induction.
- Inclusive Environment: We are committed to fostering a welcoming, diverse, and inclusive environment where all volunteers feel respected and valued.
- Expenses: We believe volunteering should not leave you out of pocket. We reimburse reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred during your volunteering activities, such as travel costs.
Volunteer Requirements
While specific requirements may vary slightly depending on the role, we generally look for individuals who possess the following:
Essential Qualities:
- A genuine passion for supporting and empowering young people.
- Reliability, commitment, and a proactive attitude.
- Empathy, patience, and excellent communication skills.
- An alignment with YLA UK's values of inclusivity, respect, and aspiration.
- A willingness to learn and engage with training.
Practical Requirements:
- Age: Volunteers must generally be 18 years of age or older.
- Commitment: The required time commitment can vary, from a few hours a month to a regular weekly contribution, depending on the role. We will discuss this with you during the application process.
- Background Checks: All volunteers working directly with young people must successfully complete an enhanced DBS check.
How to Get Involved: Your Journey to Making a Difference
If you're ready to inspire the next generation and become a vital part of the YLA UK team, here’s how to get started:
- Express Your Interest: Complete our short online enquiry form. This helps us understand your interests and availability.
- Application: We will then send you an email with more information.
- Informal Chat/Interview: If your application aligns with our current needs, we will invite you for an informal chat or interview. This is an opportunity for us to get to know you better and for you to ask any questions.
- DBS Check & References: (if applicable) Following a successful interview, we will initiate the necessary DBS check and request references.
- Induction & Training: (if applicable) Once all checks are complete, you will attend our comprehensive induction and role-specific training sessions to prepare you for your volunteer role.
We look forward to hearing from you and welcoming you to the YLA family!
