Youth / Children Volunteer Roles

Overview of the role

We’re looking for three people to join our team, who care deeply about making Scouts inclusive and welcoming to young people and adults from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds. There will be an opportunity in this role to significantly shape and deliver race equity work at Scouts, working in close partnership with senior volunteers and staff, particularly in the recently expanded EDI team, to sharpen and hone our expertise in this area. 

We are recruiting a race equity sub-team to support us in delivering the changes needed to embed race equity right across our movement. The sub-team will:

• Contribute to ensuring that knowledge and understanding of the issues that impact Black, Asian and minority ethnic or underrepresented groups’ experiences, are continually informing the delivery of projects. This can be derived from, but not limited to, experiential, lived or professional expertise.
• Use expertise to shape project direction, make decisions at the project level, track progress and solve project-level problems.
• Work alongside the UK Lead Volunteer for Growth & Race Equity to support staff in delivering the changes needed to embed race equity right across our movement. 
• Actively support the delivery of race focused projects, and significantly contribute to Scouts continuing to be become more racially inclusive.
• Work in close partnership with the EDI team to deliver race focused projects.

You’ll be part of a friendly team of volunteers and staff members who will support you in your role. 

About the role

The Facilitated Contingents Team Leader will play a pivotal role within the UK International Team, reporting directly to the UK Contingents Team Leader. The role involves actively monitoring Jamborees hosted by National Scout Organisations (NSOs) and promoting the opportunity for UK participation to Counties and Nations. This position is key in ensuring that attendees from across the UK have the necessary support to attend these events, including support with training, standard practices and mentoring. The Team Leader may help with being a key contact point, offering guidance and ensuring seamless coordination to facilitate UK involvement in international Jamborees. The Facilitated Contingents Team Leader will contribute to fostering international engagement and development for Scouts across the UK.

Key tasks

• Support the overall delivery of the events, ensuring the programme runs smoothly and all infrastructure is in place.
• Support the setup and takedown of the events.
• Support the event attendees and ensure everyone has fun and remains safe.
• Help facilitate workshops and encourage young people to speak up and share their ideas.
• Play an active role in our event management plan and ensure issues and concerns are reported and acted upon.

Please note, this role does not require travel to NSO-run Jamborees.

About the role

The County Lead Volunteer is a key volunteer role within local Scouting with responsibility for providing outstanding leadership and support for the Districts within the County. The primary focus for the County Lead Volunteer is to ensure that Scouting is able to reach every young person in the County; open to all regardless of faith, colour or social background, because we believe Scouting has the ability to change lives. This is achieved by leading the team of District Lead Volunteers, and other County volunteers as well as working with the Growth & Communities Teams (employed staff) to provide enough places to meet the demand for Scouting, and by ensuring that every youth member has access to a high-quality balanced programme that is challenging, relevant and rewarding.

Key tasks

• Ensure that every Squirrel Drey, Beaver Scout Colony, Cub Scout Pack, Scout Troop, Explorer Scout Unit and Scout Network within the County is able to deliver a high-quality programme which is challenging, relevant and rewarding for every young person.
• Provide proactive line management, including coaching, mentoring and guidance to District Lead Volunteers as well as other adult volunteers in the County who directly report to you including setting objectives for their work, holding regular one-to-one meetings and reviews.
• Build and maintain a sense of County team by holding regular team meetings with the District Lead Volunteers, County Chair, County team Members and other appropriate volunteers within
  your County team to collaborate and provide peer support.
• Lead a safe, open and transparent culture around keeping young people and adults safe through our Yellow Card and key policies.
  Ensure the timely recruitment and appointment of new District Lead Volunteers where required and ensuring that interim arrangements are put in place for any vacant posts.
• Together with the District Lead Volunteers, agree the priorities for the County and produce a plan to deliver these to meet The Scout Association’s vision and strategic objectives.
• Ensure that problems within the County are resolved so that an effective volunteering culture is encouraged and District Lead Volunteers and Group Lead Volunteers feel supported to deal with challenging issues, including complaints in a timely manner.
• Ensure that the County has an adequate team of supported and appropriate adults working effectively together and with others to meet the Scouting needs of the area.
• Ensure that problems within the County are resolved so that excellent Scouting is provided to young people in the County.
• Act as an ex-officio trustee as a member of the County Trustee Board, and an ex-officio member of the Council of The Scout Association.
• Play an active part within the Regional Team by joining short MS Teams calls and in person meetings led by the Regional Lead Volunteer and twice yearly by Team England for all County Lead Volunteers to contribute to the development of Scouting within England as part of the Headquarters team.

About the role

As a UK Scout Network Team Member, you will work closely with the UK Lead for Scout Network, supporting key areas of the section and helping to deliver our strategic goals. You will take a leading role in one of the following focus areas: Top Awards, Communications, Network Support, or Events.

We’re looking for enthusiastic team members who will champion their specific area and work collaboratively to develop projects from both Scouts HQ and their own initiatives. Your work will involve regular contact with volunteers, gathering feedback, and ensuring that we continue to meet the needs of those delivering Scouting at a local level.

This role is integral to helping the UK Network Team achieve its key objectives by: 

• Supporting the UK Lead for Network to increase participation in Top Awards
• Enhancing communication between HQ and local volunteers, ensuring consistent and effective collaboration
• Improving awareness of, and opportunities for, Scout Network

Key tasks

Role Specific Tasks:

• Top Awards: Increasing the number of Top awards, working with teams to create & deliver different resources that will support volunteers to help young people achieve their top awards. 
• Communications: Improving UK Scout Network’s social media presence and general communications. Working with programme leads from the different Nations to keep up communications to ensure good working relationships & sharing of good practices.
• Network Support: Working with Network members and volunteers to increase the support available to individuals and Network groups. 
• Events: Working with a range of different teams to create resources and organise Workshops & Webinars. Support local areas to run events for the Network section.

General Tasks:

• Lead project sprints on behalf of the UK Lead for Scout Network.
• Create and deliver an action plan in your area to support the Network section across the UK with the support of the UK lead for Scout Network.
• Advocate volunteer’s and young peoples’ voices.
• Delivery: Support the delivery of agreed priorities by motivating and communicating with Scout teams and helping to support different events.
• Signing off awards such as King Scout awards.

About the role

The JOTA-JOTI Team Lead plays a pivotal role in shaping and delivering one of the WOSM's key international Scouting events, connecting young people globally through technology and communication. Reporting to the Global Programme Team Lead, this role ensures alignment with global Scouting priorities while driving the development, delivery, and sustainability of the JOTA-JOTI programme in the UK.

As a key member of the UK Global Programme Team, the JOTA-JOTI Team Lead collaborates with a range of stakeholders to enhance the event's impact and relevance. This role oversees the strategic planning, quality assurance, and promotion of JOTA-JOTI, ensuring it continues to provide transformative opportunities for young people to engage in global citizenship, cultural exchange, and technological innovation.

The position requires a dynamic and innovative leader who is passionate about international engagement and the power of communication technology to bring people together. They will inspire and support volunteers, champion digital inclusion, and promote JOTA-JOTI as a flagship event in the UK’s international Scouting calendar.

Key tasks

• Enhance the UK JOTA-JOTI Programme
• Take the lead in exploring and developing the UK’s JOTA-JOTI offering, ensuring it aligns with the evolving needs of young people and global Scouting priorities.
• Bring innovation to the programme by introducing fresh ideas and leveraging the latest communication technologies to create meaningful, interactive, and memorable experiences for participants.
• Increase Attendance and Engagement Drive awareness and enthusiasm for JOTA-JOTI among young people and volunteers across the UK.
• Implement effective communication strategies and promotional campaigns to boost attendance at UK-based JOTA-JOTI events.
• Collaborate with the wider International Team and local Scout groups to create excitement and ensure high levels of engagement with the programme.
• Collaborate with Scout Adventures and Local Campsites Partner with Scout Adventures and local campsites to identify and establish a variety of JOTA-JOTI events and activities.
• Ensure these events are accessible, inclusive, and tailored to the diverse needs of Scouts across the UK.
• Work with these partners to develop resources and provide support that empowers groups to host high-quality JOTA-JOTI experiences.
• Promote Cross-Cultural Connections Facilitate opportunities for young people to connect with their peers worldwide, fostering cultural understanding and international friendship through the JOTA-JOTI platform.

Youth Leaders work directly with young people in St John Ambulance Badger Setts and Cadet Units. By organising a mixed weekly programme, this role will support the learning and development of young people into the next generation of health citizens. Youth Leaders also help young people develop their confidence, teamwork skills, self-discipline, and generally encourage them to strive to be the best they can be, as well as supervise and support other adult volunteers in their team.

You’ll get a huge sense of satisfaction and pride delivering an essential service. It’s great for you, great for your community and great for our nation, and it requires only a small commitment of your time. 

New unit - meeting night to be confirmed

Pursuing the role.

Closing date for these opportunities is: Friday 28th February 2025.

No one should die because they needed first aid and didn’t get it. St John Ambulance teaches people first aid so they can be the difference between life and death, and you can help us do this.

As Unit Manager you will be responsible for the overall management of your St John Ambulance Youth unit. You will do this by leading weekly meetings, organising other youth development activities and actively participating in the recruitment, training and retention of the young people and volunteers in your unit. You will ensure that they have a positive and rewarding experience in St John Ambulance, by equipping them with the necessary skills to fulfil our vision; ‘Everyone who needs it should receive first aid from those around them. No one should suffer for the lack of trained first aiders.’

This role is ideal for someone who has some management experience and wants to enhance their skills while doing invaluable work. This role is exempt from the provisions of the Rehabilitations Offenders Act.

Volunteer would be expected to meet all requirements of role description and to work with Network Lead to build a strong youth unit.

If you are successful you will need to undertake induction & training for role at these dates:

• Welcome Event (Induction) - 27/2/2025
• Training for role - TBC with the Youth Team

Closing date for these opportunities is: Sunday 23rd February 2025

About YAUK

Youth Advantage UK is a charitable organization that uses a research-led approach to inform policy work and projects
that aim to promote and further the human rights of young people aged 11 to 25 across the United Kingdom.

Please note that this is a VOLUNTEER role.

We won't accept applications from individuals residing outside of the UK as we operate on the principle of bettering the lives of young people in the UK. Therefore, we require our volunteers to have an understanding of what it is like to live in the UK.

This is an opportunity for someone who holds a PhD or Research Master’s degree to join our team as a Research Manager, and use their experience in guiding and managing our research function(s). Initially there will be a focus on managing the preliminary research function, which carries out research on specific topics to best inform, guide and direct our work in protecting the rights and interests of young people.

Responsibilities

· To manage welfare of researchers

· Look after day to day management and support of teams, stand in for absences (including undertaking research tasks, where necessary).

· Monitor and report on performance

· To advise on and provide feedback on matters of research

· To line manage senior researchers

· To advise on, guide and manage research workflow, ensuring of ethical research and policy compliance

· To ensure of a focus on organizational goals

· To lead planning as required

· To have oversight on research being carried out and the outcomes of such, ensuring it is to a high standard

You will need

· A PhD or Master’s degree

· To have experience operationally in a research role

· To understand how to motivate a team and manage others

Benefits

This is a UK based 100% fully remote and flexible role with a time commitment of 5 hours per week.

Supportive Team and Management to enhance your skills and build on your experience.

Your work will help transform and empower many young people’s lives, rights and interests and assist in promoting equality for all young people.

Why volunteer with us?

We are a supportive and friendly organisation that takes pride in developing and nurturing our staff and providing them with excellent opportunities to thrive and further encourage their career growth and future aspirations.

We offer a fully remote working environment and a flexible and adaptable working schedule. This is an excellent opportunity to join a growing organisation, enhance your skills, and gain valuable experience to help you begin your career in Research as we endeavour to grow our organisation and continue to make positive changes to the lives of young people. If this sounds like you and you are interested in applying for this position, please submit your CV.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Youth Helpers work directly with young people in St John Ambulance Badger Setts and Cadet Units by supporting our Youth Leaders to deliver a sessions across our range of programmes. In this role, you'll support the learning and development of young people into the next generation of health citizens. Youth Helpers also help young people develop their confidence, teamwork skills, self-discipline, and generally encourage them to strive to be the best they can be, as well as supervise and support other adult volunteers in their team.

You’ll get a huge sense of satisfaction and pride delivering an essential service. It’s great for you, great for your community and great for our nation, and it requires only a small commitment of your time. 

Candidates will need to support Youth Leader with the running of Youth Unit meetings

If you are successful you will need to undertake induction & training for role at these dates:

• Welcome Event (Induction) - 30/03/2025

Closing date for these opportunities is Friday 28th February 2025

Youth Leaders work directly with young people in St John Ambulance Badger Setts and Cadet Units. By organising a mixed weekly programme, this role will support the learning and development of young people into the next generation of health citizens. Youth Leaders also help young people develop their confidence, teamwork skills, self-discipline, and generally encourage them to strive to be the best they can be, as well as supervise and support other adult volunteers in their team.

You’ll get a huge sense of satisfaction and pride delivering an essential service. It’s great for you, great for your community and great for our nation, and it requires only a small commitment of your time. 

Pursuing the role

If you are successful you will need to undertake induction & training for role at these dates:

• Welcome Event (Induction) - 19/04/2025
• Training for role - 26/04/2025

Closing date for these opportunities is: Sunday 2nd March 2025

Join Urban Youth: Be a Founding Volunteer!

Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of young people in London? Urban Youth is a new youth work organisation in London currently being set up and is looking for dedicated volunteers to help us set up, found, and develop our exciting new initiative.

What We're Looking For:

• Enthusiastic individuals who are passionate about youth work or their field of expertise that will benefit our new organisation especially in our set up and founding stage.

• Volunteers with skills in organisation, planning, and development.

• Creative minds to help shape our brand and identity.

• Team players who are ready to roll up their sleeves and get involved.

What You'll Gain:

• The opportunity to be a founding member of an impactful youth work organisation.

• Hands-on experience in setting up and developing a youth work initiative.

• The chance to make a real difference in the lives of young people in London.

• A supportive and collaborative environment where your ideas and contributions are valued.

How to Get Involved:

If you're ready to make a difference and be part of something special, we'd love to hear from you! Please contact us with your CV to express your interest and learn more about how you can get involved.

Urban Youth: Discover Your Path, Shape Your Future

Let's build something amazing together!

Help shape the future of youth gaming and gambling-related harms prevention by joining the board of Ygam, an evidence-led charity.

Applications close on Monday 17th March 2025.

Location: London

About Ygam

Ygam is a national charity with a clear mission: to prevent children and young people from experiencing gaming and gambling harms through awareness raising, education and research. Our award-winning workshops are assured by City & Guilds and informed by psychologists, academics and health professionals alongside people with lived experience.

Founded in 2014, Ygam has evolved into the UK’s leading charity in this area, delivering impact-focused training and education across the UK to those in positions of influence over children and young people.

Over the past decade, Ygam has trained over 28,000 delegates and reached an estimated 4.3 million children and young people. With 95% of delegates recommending our training, we’re making real progress in safeguarding our digital generation.

About the roles

The digital revolution has fundamentally transformed how young people interact with games and gambling.

As smartphones become ubiquitous and the lines between gaming and gambling increasingly blur, young people face unprecedented risks in the digital space. This evolving landscape presents both challenges and opportunities for protecting vulnerable youth.

As we enter the third year of our “Safeguarding our Digital Generation” strategy, we’re seeking visionary leaders to join our board and help shape the future of harm prevention. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a vital cause at a critical time when digital safeguarding has never been more important.

We provide comprehensive support to help our trustees succeed, including a thorough induction programme, regular one-to-one meetings with the Chair, and access to training and development opportunities. You’ll be joining a supportive board environment where your contribution will be valued and your development supported.

Who we are looking for

We believe that diverse experiences and perspectives are crucial to effective governance. The digital challenges facing young people today are complex and interconnected, requiring a board that can view issues through multiple lenses.

For our Vice Chair position, we’re seeking an individual with strong educational leadership experience and the ability to guide strategic discussions. This role requires someone who can balance strategic oversight with practical governance experience, ensuring Ygam continues to evolve and adapt to emerging challenges.

For our trustee positions, we’re looking for someone who can bring fresh thinking and diverse expertise.

Whether you’re a health and social care professional with insights into service delivery and commissioning digital technology innovator helping us understand the latest trends, a commercial leader who can help us build sustainable partnerships, or someone with experience in gaming, your perspective could be invaluable.

We’re particularly keen to hear from candidates who can bring additional diverse perspectives to our board. This might include younger voices who can bring current expertise or people with lived experience who understand the importance of prevention work.

The ideal candidates will share our passion for safeguarding and educating young people while bringing their own unique insights to enhance our work. You’ll be commercially aware, strategic in your thinking, and able to help drive our ambitions forward while ensuring we maintain our focus on delivering impact.

Please click 'Apply via website’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.

Applications for this role close on Monday 17th March 2025.

Community researchers wanted to help East London Waterworks Park ensure our community-owned park is inclusive and welcoming for all.

East London Waterworks Park is a volunteer-led charity that has won a 2024 New London Architecture award and raised £2m towards buying land from the Department for Education to transform the 14-acre Thames Water Depot on Lea Bridge Road on the border of Waltham Forest and Hackney, into a new biodiverse park with natural swimming ponds, forest schools and community spaces. 

We are looking for community researchers specialised to contribute to our community-led working circle who are working on on a listening project to ensure often underrepresented voices in conservation and environmental projects are heard and centred. 

There is opportunity to lead on projects and facilitate the direction of the working circle.

The Inclusivity Circle currently meets monthly on a Wednesday evening on Google Meet and spends voluntary time outside of the meeting completing agreed tasks remotely.

While your experienced research skills are crucial, we also value your ability to engage with the community and build partnerships. Experience in conducting community-based research or working with community organisations is important. A strong understanding of community dynamics and the ability to collaborate effectively will be invaluable in ensuring your research findings are relevant and impactful. Our roles are quite flexible. We hope that people bring radical imagination, peace with nature, and courageous inclusiveness to the role. 

Contribute to the creation of a new biodiverse community-owned park with free access natural swimming ponds. Your research expertise will be vital in shaping our new biodiverse park. By conducting listening research on community needs, and potential park uses, you'll help us create a sustainable and inclusive space. Your findings will inform our design, programming, and outreach efforts, ensuring the park meets the needs of our community and contributes to biodiversity conservation.

Educators and facilitators wanted to help East London Waterworks Park deliver its environmental learning goals.

East London Waterworks Park is a volunteer-led charity that has won a 2024 New London Architecture award and raised £2m towards buying land from the Department for Education to transform the 14-acre Thames Water Depot on Lea Bridge Road on the border of Waltham Forest and Hackney, into a new biodiverse park with natural swimming ponds, forest schools and community spaces. 

We are looking for educator and facilitator volunteers to participate in our community-led working group, who are collaborating with schools, universities and youth groups that help the design of the park. 

Examples of projects are: 

• collaborating on nature walk activities for schools
• supporting university students interviewing teachers
• creating lesson plans to co-design the park. 

Schools, universities and youth groups we've collaborated with include:

• Buxton School, Leytonstone
• Kingsmead School, Enfield 
• UCL 
• Royal College of Art
• University of Westminster 
• Project Zero
• Voyage Youth 
• Loyola University Chicago 
• Vanderbilt University Nashville. 

We're looking for people to lead on these projects and facilitate the direction of the learning working group.

The Learning Circle currently meets monthly on a Wednesday evening at 8pm for an hour on Google Meet and spends voluntary time outside of the meeting completing agreed tasks remotely.

You should be an experienced teacher, educational consultant, forest school leader, training and development specialist, learning designer, facilitator or any other kind of role creating learning projects, programmes and experiences. Our roles are quite flexible. We hope that people bring radical imagination, peace with nature, and courageous inclusiveness to the role. 

Your support will help young people and learners improve their environmental knowledge of design and research as well as contributing to our community-owned park. This will in turn provide a sense of stewardship over the land once the park is created and student's ideas have been built into the park. 

Creating learning projects with educational institutions will also help our charity with the strategy to buy the land through showing the value of our environmental education programme before we create the park.