Terms:
1 year contract, part time 2.5 days a week (18 hours a week)
Salary/rate:
16,860 per year (pro rata of a full-time salary of £30,800)
Requirements:
Working days: Mondays, Tuesdays (including evening work drop-in from 5pm to 8pm) and Wednesdays. In addition, one Saturday a month and a yearly 3 days residential.
About us:
RRN assists newly arrived refugees from countries, such as Afghanistan, Sudan, Ukraine and Syria, to resettle in local communities in Hampshire. Our trained community volunteers support their transition to independence by assisting them to build their knowledge and understanding of life in the UK. We help nurture a sense of belonging and support them to build social connections.
About the Youth Discovery project
In 2021, RRN initiated the South Downs Youth Discovery Project, which takes young asylum seekers and refugee youth (‘looked after’ by Hampshire County Council and Portsmouth City Council) into the countryside. This enriches their understanding of the UK’s natural environment and in so doing, helps them relax, have fun, practice English, meet friends and learn more about life in the UK. The project aims to help participants experience and understand the local landscape and to feel more confident, empowered and settled.
In 2024 RRN secured 3 years funding which allows us to expand the project not only to include more young people but also to offer a weekly evening drop-in at All Saints in Portsmouth (Tuesdays 5.00pm to 8.00pm), a variety of monthly day trips (on Saturdays) and an annual residential.
The drop-in is a safe place, offering social and cultural support in addition to practical employment and further educational and ESOL teaching support. The weekly sessions aim to support the young peoples’ transition into adulthood in the UK and to help foster their sense of independence, confidence and self-worth. The activities are needs-led so that we can adapt and respond to young people’s diverse backgrounds, unique attributes, and desired goals.
About the role:
The postholder will be responsible for planning, organising and facilitating the drop-in sessions, monthly outings and the annual residential. The Youth Worker (YW) will ensure the delivery of high-quality service as set out in the ‘activity plan and outcomes framework’.
The YW will help the young people to build their confidence and life skills in line with the project proposal and set outcomes. The YW will develop trusting relationships with the young people and empower them to engage with the project.
The YW will be responsible for supervising the volunteers, ensuring that they are clear about their roles and expectations.
Responsibilities:
● Planning, organising, and facilitating all the project activities for young people
● Integrating feedback from young people into future sessions
● Ensuring that project planning is an interactive process
● Actively involving young people’s participation to ensure feelings of ownership of the project.
● Helping to identify outside facilitators to deliver specific sessions (such as First Aid course) and ensuring their integration into the project
● Working closely with stakeholders to promote the development of social and educational opportunities for the young people.
● Engaging directly with young people and identifying their social educational needs and, where appropriate, signposting to relevant services
● Identifying, setting up and supporting the Youth Ambassador group
● Providing emotional support to the group and individual young people (‘feeling safe’ training will be provided)
● Taking responsibility for all material and equipment used for the activity and ensuring the equipment is functioning properly and is available for use as required.
● At all times, ensuring the safeguarding of all young people who are attending the projects, by implementing risk assessments, ensuring that all participants are aware of any risks, and in the event of an issue, are aware of what to do.
● Collaborating with the Project Coordinator and the ESOL teacher to ensure the provision of a safe and welcoming environment for all the young people who attend the Youth Discovery Project’s drop-in and activities.
● Ensuring that records are kept relating to all project activities in accordance with the RRN’s Confidentiality / GDPR Policy and all relevant data protection legislation.
● Providing the Project Coordinator, the CEO and Youth Worker Trustee with regular feedback on the sessions, future plans and challenges faced.
● Working with the CEO and Youth Worker Trustee to monitor, review and update the annual activity plan in line with evaluation recommendations, identified need and service developments.
● Assist with the monitoring and evaluation of the project.
● To maintain own personal and professional development, with the support of the CEO and the Youth Project Trustee, to meet the demands of the role.
● To attend stakeholder meetings and regular staff and supervision meetings
● Keeping up to date with local and national developments affecting separated young people and sharing significant information with the team
● Undertaking any other reasonable duties to support the operations of the charity.
Candidate requirements:
The candidate must be an empathetic and self- motivated team player, capable of working with people from multiple cultures and background.
Essential :
· Substantial experience of working with young people. ● Substantial experience of organising youth activities, coordinating and monitoring project delivery process. ● Experience of liaising and working effectively with external agencies, including statutory services ● Substantial experience of working effectively with vulnerable young people who may exhibit distressed behaviour.
● Knowledge of local authority youth services.
● Ability to work in a team and on his/her own.
● Excellent interpersonal, communication and team skills and ability to relate to young people and adults in a positive manner.
● IT skills and knowledge sufficient to engage young people in a variety of safe online platforms.
● Proven ability to motivate volunteers and actively involve them in activities.
● Ability to work flexible hours.
● Proven adherence and understanding of confidentiality and safeguarding policies
● To be familiar with RRN policies and guidelines and to carry out duties in a way that it compatible with them.
Desirable
● Ability to communicate in a language commonly used by young people seeking sanctuary in the UK.
● Skills and expertise within a youth project, e.g. co-designing/youth involvement, arts, sports, outdoor activities, health awareness, cultural integration.
● Awareness of asylum legislation and awareness of its impact on young people.
● Awareness of the local authority’s responsibilities to separated children, and knowledge of the Children Act 1989 and the 2000 (Leaving Care) Act.
An offer of employment is subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check. Repeat checks are initiated every two years. Two professional references to be provided.
How to Apply
Please send your CV and a cover letter explaining how you meet the role requirements, outlining your relevant skills, and describing the value you would bring to the RRN and Youth Discovery Project.
Application deadline: Tuesday 23 June 2026, 11:59 PM
Interviews: Interviews will take place no later than 14 July 2026.
[email protected]
or send us a text on 07392 762 929 if you wish to apply by post.
We will only contact candidates who have been shortlisted for an interview.
www.ruralrefugeenetwork.org
Registered Charity No 1165796
Job Type: Part-time
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Portsmouth (South East Region)
