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. The Dundee Child & Family Support Service adopts a whole family approach, taking into account each individual’s vulnerabilities and strengths to enable children and young people to achieve the best outcomes. The Dundee Service supports children and families experiencing disabilities and complex additional support needs; children at risk of being removed from home; children experiencing adverse childhood experiences (including trauma, bereavement and loss); neglect and abuse. We support children and young people up to the age of 18. We are looking for volunteers from 14+ to support children and young people in a group setting and can either be linked 1:1 or be a group helper. Any volunteers under the age of 18 will not be lone working. Please note when applying for this specific role it will ask for your date of birth and if under 18 it will say about the minimum age being 18. However, please ignore that (as it will look like under 18s are unable to apply) and continue to complete the application as normal. Anyone under 18 parental consent will need to be obtained. School Holiday Activity Days: The activity days run over school holidays and are around 3-4 hours per session. The activity days involve children and young people taking part in various activities being planned either at a local hub (for example at a school or community centre) and/or will take place in the local community. Activities can include arts and crafts, nature trails, treasure hunts, outdoor games and indoor games. At the activity days there are staff members as well other volunteers supporting children and young people with additional support needs as well as children who have been identified by local schools that they would benefit attending the activity days. The activity days are bringing children and young people together, building friendships and new experiences while providing respite to parents/carers. Volunteers can do as many days as they would like over the activity days. Active Schools: Active Schools is a partnership with Dundee Leisure and Culture and is about helping supporting children with additional support needs in a school setting to engage with physical exercise. This group will either run during school hours or after school time but this will be decided as and when the group is being organised. The volunteer coordinator will be updated as and when and an opportunity will be sent out about the group to all volunteers. This group is to help children to engage with physical education but for it to be tailored to their own needs. We are looking for volunteers to help in the group setting and to help facilitate some of the activities but will be supported. The group will run for around 6-8 sessions per block and once a week for around 2 hours per session. Connect Group: We are looking for volunteers to help facilitate and help support a group of young people with additional support needs in Dundee for approximately 6 weeks (1 session per week for around 1-2 hours). Staff will be available at the groups, but this is a great opportunity for volunteers who have experience with children and young people with additional support needs or are currently studying a course where this role would be a great experience to enhance an individual’s studies. The group will be about improving mental well-being while doing different activities (games, arts and crafts, outdoor activities) which will be organised by the staff and volunteers. We are looking for volunteers who can work in a team and use their own initiative and will need to be reliable for attending the sessions on a regular basis per group. The group will take place across different venues in Dundee and will usually take place after school timing or early evening. Dates, place and timing will be organised by the Group Coordinator and take place usually over term time Other group work roles: Other group work roles that take place outside school holidays also involve arts and crafts and outdoor themes for example. Any other groups that are being run will be organised by the worker and the volunteer coordinator will be updated and opportunities will be sent out through the year to volunteers to get involved. The group activities will vary but our aim is to support the children and young people who attend, encourage them with the activities and to help them build up their confidence, interact with their peers and have fun at the same time. At the groups there will be other volunteers as well as staff present, a great role to start off with if new to volunteering and looking to building up experience of direct work with children and young people. We are also looking for volunteers who have experience and knowledge in supporting children and young people with additional support needs and who may have knowledge with using Makaton. Previous experience is not essential with children and young people with additional support needs but for some of our roles previous experience would be much welcomed.
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 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
