Helping young people
What is it?     What you need     Getting started     Find out more

 

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What is it?

  • Quite a number of children and young people need help in various ways, whether during their earlier school years, or coping with the teenage period, or in making the transition to adult life.  

  • This help can range from individual counselling to providing youth activity centres and programmes.  

  • Many of the organisations, who provide these kinds of help, use volunteers of all ages on a regular or occasional basis. You can also be an informal helper to young people among your friends and wider family.  

  • Much of the work involves basic activities like social contacts and befriending, though there is also scope for volunteers in special counselling and advisory services.  Other activities in which volunteers often participate include fund raising and administration.

Find out more

Organisations

Children's Society  www.the-childrens-society.org.uk/ 
NSPCC  www.nspcc.org.uk/
Save the Children  www.savethechildren.org.uk/

Boys' Brigade  www.boys-brigade.org.uk/
Girls Brigade  www.girlsbrigadeew.org.uk/  01235 510425
Guide Association  www.guides.org.uk/
Scout Association  www.scoutbase.org.uk/ 

British Federation of Youth Marching Band Organisations  www.marchingbands.org.uk/
British Youth Band Association  www.byba.org.uk/

See also the organisations listed under Volunteering  

 

Magazines

UK Youth 
Boys' Brigade Gazette 
Guiding 
Scouting

Getting started

  • Find a local group or club that provides activities and help for children and young people (see organisations above).

  • See if your local group offers introductory sessions or events.  Take a class or course relevant to young people at your local adult education centre. 

  • Consult books or magazines on the needs of and help for young people.

  • Check in your local library/paper or volunteer centre for more information.

What you need

Skills and people
  • People of all ages and both sexes can volunteer to help young people.  There is no need to have special skills or knowledge but many groups offer volunteers training in helping and giving advice.

  • You will be in contact with young people from teenage on, from a wide variety of background.  

  • You can find the individuals or youth groups who need help, either by contacting the specialist organisations or through your own friends and family.

Equipment or clothing
  • As a volunteer you don't need to have any special equipment, though you may need sports and other equipment and clothing to share in group activities. 

  • Some organisations like you to wear badges or clothing to identify yourself.

A place or facilities
  • You can help in young people's homes, by taking/driving young people where they want to go, or by working in a social centre or residential home.  

  • Fund raising and administration will generally involve activities locally, with some work at home.

Have a go - get started now
 

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