Volunteer Mentor

The Diana Award are thrilled to invite you to volunteer for our Mentoring Programme and Social Action Accelerator Pilot this Spring 2025, which operate across London.  

We collaborate with volunteer mentors to support young people aged 14-18 who are at risk of becoming NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) through mentoring interventions, career skills development programmes, and support with their youth-led social action projects. 

WHO CAN VOLUNTEER AS A MENTOR? 

We welcome applicants of all industries and levels of experience. Through mentoring you will gain skills in communication and leadership, building empathy and understanding of issues and barriers facing young people in their communities.

OUR MENTORING PROGRAMMES  

Based on your application to mentor and your availability, you will be placed in either our Mentoring Programme or Social Action Accelerator Pilot. Both programmes run between March 2025- July 2025. 

Mentoring Programme:  

• Twelve weeks of in-person weekly group mentoring sessions. 

• Mentoring sessions last one hour (excluding travel) and are delivered on the same day and time each week. 

• Volunteer mentors share advice and guidance with young people who are at risk of becoming NEET. 

Social Action Accelerator Pilot: 

• Five months of in-person monthly group mentoring sessions. 

• Mentoring sessions last two hours (excluding travel) and are delivered at the same time of day each month. 

• Volunteer mentors support young people to develop and deliver their youth-led social action project. 

We will train you to mentor and provide ongoing support for the duration of your programme. 

The Diana Award can provide you with a professional reference, paid for DBS check, and refund your travel expenses (up to £10 per session) in exchange for your voluntary work.

PERSON SPECIFICATION 

Requirements 

• A minimum of 18-years-old.  

• Willing to complete a DBS Check (paid for by The Diana Award).  

• Willing to provide contact details for two referees.  

• Able to commit to weekly and/or monthly face-to-face sessions. 

• Able to attend a three-hour in-person mentor training session.  

• Has the right to work and volunteer in the UK.  

• Lives or works in London.   

Skills 

• Passion for working with young people. 

• Has developed or willing to develop active listening skills. 

• Ability to see solutions and opportunities when working with people or in a group setting. 

• Ability to show resilience when faced with challenging situations or behaviours. 

Experience / Knowledge 

• Has work experience, this can be professional, from previous volunteering, or social action initiatives. 

• Has developed or willing to develop experience of picking, planning, and delivering a social action campaign. 

Optional Experience / Knowledge 

• Has experience in organising grassroots activism. 

• Has experience or knowledge in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). 

• Has experience or knowledge in Widening Participation. 

• Has experience in project management. 

Responsibilities  

• Commit to weekly sessions for twelve weeks and/or to monthly session for five months, demonstrating consistency and punctuality. Mentoring Programme sessions last 60 to 90 minutes (excluding travel) and Social Action Accelerator Programme sessions last 120 minutes (excluding travel). Both programmes are delivered in an education setting. Follow through is key when working with young people at risk of becoming NEET. 

• Collaborate with The Diana Award facilitators and other volunteer mentors to deliver and support sessions. 

• Review session plans and prepare for weekly and/or monthly sessions. 

• Create a safe and positive learning environment and provide young people with encouragement, guidance, and constructive feedback. 

• Nurture positive relationships with young people. Listen, understand, and acknowledge their feelings and experiences. 

• Support young people to plan a social action project. 

• Foster a growth mindset and encourage young people to challenge themselves to work towards their goals. 

• Support young people’s professional development by connecting them with further opportunities. For example, workplace visits, work experience, resources, relevant networks etc. 

• Identify and report any safeguarding and child protection concerns or disclosures to the Designated Safeguarding Lead, as per The Diana Award Safeguarding Policy. 

OUR CHARITY 

The Diana Award is the charity legacy to Diana, Princess of Wales’ belief that young people have the power to change the world. We seek to empower young people, delivering bespoke youth programmes for children and young people aged 9 – 25. Our programmes seek to address three key problems for young people: challenges to their mental health and emotional wellbeing; social and economic barriers; and not being understood by people in power. We work with young people by unlocking their potential, creating opportunities for their growth, and inspiring action from them to lead the change they want to see. 

HOW CAN I APPLY?  

1. Read the Mentor Application Pack so you have all the necessary information before applying. 

2. Apply now using the Online Application Form. The deadline to apply is 8th January 2025; you will hear back about your application by mid-January 2025.

If your application is successful, volunteer mentoring will begin in March 2025, following identity checks and training. 

We can’t wait to receive your application!