As a **Street Guardian**, you will play an important role in supporting young people within the city centre by being a visible, approachable, and trusted presence. Being part of a safeguarding service, you will help create safer environments for young people by engaging with them in a friendly, non-judgemental way, offering reassurance, practical support, and helping them access the services they need. Sometimes this may involve simply checking in with a young person, while at other times you could be helping someone find a safe place, connecting them with support services, or raising safeguarding concerns so the right teams and professionals can respond quickly. Every day is different, making this a varied and rewarding role where you'll have the opportunity to build confidence, develop new skills, and contribute to keeping young people safe. By working alongside experienced staff and partner agencies, you'll become part of a wider network committed to protecting young people and ensuring they know where to turn for support. Becoming a Street Guardian is an opportunity to be part of something meaningful. Not only will you be making a positive impact on the lives of young people, but you'll also develop transferable skills in communication, teamwork, safeguarding, and community engagement. **Barnardo's Common Ground** is a contextual safeguarding service supporting vulnerable young people across Glasgow city centre. We work with young people where they are, responding to concerns and safeguarding risks, alongside our partner agencies to improve safety and outcomes. Our service operates through a three-tiered approach: - Street Guardians – Volunteer guardians who provide a visible, reassuring presence, engage with young people and identify emerging concerns. - Street Team – Safeguarding practitioners who carry out outreach, welfare checks and direct interventions with vulnerable young people. - Hub Team – A safe, welcoming space offering practical support, crisis intervention, safeguarding assessments and links to wider services.
If you're passionate about making your city centre a safer place and want to help young people feel supported, valued, and safe, we would love to welcome you as a Street Guardian.
Tasks: Walking throughout the city centre area as part of outreach activity and engaging with young people in different locations.
Being a visible, friendly, and approachable presence within the local community.
Engaging positively with young people in a non-judgemental and respectful way.
Building positive relationships with young people through conversation and active listening.
Recognising signs that a young person may be vulnerable, at risk, or requiring further assistance, and raising safeguarding concerns with the appropriate team members.
Working alongside Barnardo's staff and partner agencies to promote the safety and wellbeing of young people.
Attending training, supervision, and team meetings to develop your skills and knowledge.
Adhering to Barnardo's policies and procedures at all times, including Barnardo's: Safeguarding; Equality, Diversity and Inclusion; Health & Safety; Data Protection; Confidentiality; Recording policies and procedures.
Participating fully in training and supervision.
Volunteering within Barnardo's Values and Behaviours
Skills: Experience of working with, supporting, or engaging with young people or communities. An understanding of the challenges young people may face and the importance of providing support in a safe, respectful, and non-judgemental way.
Strong communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with colleagues, other volunteers, partner agencies and young people.
The confidence and ability to approach and engage with young people in a friendly and appropriate manner.
The ability to adapt to different situations and environments, including working in a busy city centre setting.
A willingness to learn, attend training, and develop new skills.
Benefits: Full induction and training.
Other training opportunities relevant to the volunteer role.
Regular supervision and support.
Out of pocket expenses agreed in advance.
Access to the Barnardo’s internal vacancy listing.
Our volunteers tell us about lots of other benefits of volunteering including; experience of working with children, young people and families; experience for your CV; supporting your local community; meeting new people; increasing self-confidence; feeling like you are making a difference; improving your health and wellbeing; and a chance to contribute to a worthwhile children’s charity.
Disclaimer: We look to recruit a diverse range of volunteers. If your skills don't fit the role exactly, please do not let this put you off as we are able to be flexible with most of our roles. If you are unable to apply online through the link on this page, please contact the Barnardo's Volunteering Team on
[email protected] or call us on 0208 498 7320
