Barnardo’s is committed to providing ‘Better Outcomes for More Children’. Our children’s services volunteers help the charity to deliver essential services in local communities, providing support to over 300,000 children, young people and their families. This role provides a great opportunity to join our fantastic children’s services and help make a real difference. Barnardo’s offers support and help to Young Carers and their families living on the Isle of Wight. Young carers are children and young people aged 5 to 18 whose lives are affected by caring for an unwell member of their family. They care for a relative who may have a physical or learning disability, a long-term illness, a terminal condition, mental illness, or difficulties with drug or alcohol use. Caring may be physical, emotional, or both. Local Young Carers have created a stop motion video The A-Z of being a Young Carer to help people understand a little more about what it is like to walk in their shoes. Funded by #iWill Young Carers are proud of the help that they give and the skills they have, but caring can also have an impact on going to school and getting homework done, taking part in after school groups and clubs, being able to see their friends and do hobbies, and on their mental health and emotional wellbeing. Through our Young Carers Project, we make sure that the right support is in place for young carers, including: • Activities and outings to give a break from caring responsibilities • One-to-one practical and emotional support • Working with schools about how to support Young Carers and their families • Signposting to other support • Support for a Young Carer’s transition to be a Young Adult Carer As part of the Project, we ask children and young people about what activities they would like to try, and we plan and run a range of different activities that offer regular, positive, fun experiences that give Young Carers the opportunities to relax and meet other children and young people in a similar situation, make friends and give them a meaningful break from their caring responsibilities. We are looking for enthusiastic and caring volunteers to help us run these activities, which can be anything from arts and crafts, cooking, walks, bowling and sometimes more energetic sports and even horse riding! To do this role you need to be confident to join in activities and support children and young people to get involved and take part. You will help Barnardo’s staff to set up and run activities and make sure that Young Carers feel safe and welcomed at all times. You can chose which activities you would like to support. Activities generally run at weekends and during the school holidays at different venues across the Island.
Our groups need support with a range of tasks to help them run smoothly. Could you help with tasks such as planning activities, setting up and packing away, making refreshments, collecting feedback, and much more?
Tasks: Planning and organising group activities, which take into consideration age, abilities and interests of members.
Setting up group activities in advance and clearing away afterwards. This might include preparing refreshments/snacks, organising the layout of the room, preparing resources and tidying the room after the group.
Assisting children and young people to improve their self-confidence, develop social skills and build positive relationships.
Role modelling positive behaviour and interactions during sessions.
Collating and evaluating feedback from children, young people and parents.
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: Reliable, punctual and trustworthy.
Approachable and welcoming.
Passion, enthusiasm, compassion, understanding and having an open minded approach.
Being passionate about making a difference in the lives of children, young people and families.
Preferably have some experience of working with children, young people and families.
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 above, 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
