Youth Engagement Volunteer - London, United Kingdom - akt

akt

Verified Company

London, United Kingdom

3 weeks ago

Posted by:

Tom O´Connor

beBee Recruiter

Description

About us

Founded in 1989, akt was set up in Manchester by ally Cath Hall, a foster carer who found that many gay, lesbian and bisexual young people were not receiving the care and support they need and deserve.

akt supports LGBTQ+ young people aged 16-25 in the UK who are facing or experiencing homelessness or living in a hostile environment.

We support young people into safe homes and employment, education or training, in a welcoming and open environment that celebrates LGBTQ+ identities.

Coming out, or being outed as LGBTQ+, can lead to young people being made homeless. 24% of homeless young people identify as LGBTQ+. Once homeless, LGBTQ+ young people are more likely to face violence and discrimination than young people who aren't LGBTQ+.

77% of the LGBTQ+ young people we work with believe coming out at home was the main factor in causing their homelessness and so it's vital that they are supported in an environment that is inclusive and celebrates their identities in order to improve their life outcomes.

About the role:

The Youth Engagement Team offers a range of opportunities to young people who have accessed akt's housing service.

We offer groups and trips, workshops, as well as working towards a Youth Conference, a Youth Panel and other exciting long-term projects.

We also co-ordinate service user feedback for consultation.

This role would be supporting the youth groups we hold with young people.

You would be assisting with the LGBTQ+ youth groups, as well as get involved in other activities and events with the young people such as pride events, theatre trips etc.

The group sessions cover a broad range of activities planned together with the young people who attend. This includes creative activities, workshops, projects, wellbeing sessions and hang outs.

The role of the youth engagement volunteer is to support these sessions, including welcoming young people when they arrive, supporting young people to engage in the activities, and helping with clearing up.

There will also be the option to lead on running some activities.

Suggested Activities:

Assist the Youth Engagement Team to engage LGBTQ+ young people in a programme of meaningful activities designed to promote wellbeing and support young people to meet their personal goals
Support young people to be meaningfully engaged in the cocreation of akt's services and projects
Liaise with young people and Youth Engagement Team to support trips and events
Support young people to develop and create resources to provide advice, support and reassurance to LGBTQ+ young people on issues and topics that matter to them most
Cofacilitate groups and peer support sessions
Signpost and support young people to access external services

What you will gain:

Experience working with young people
Access to ongoing training and development opportunities
Increased confidence, knowledge and experience in delivering youth group activities
We can offer you a reference
Opportunity to be part of the akt team and social opportunities with other volunteers

Time Commitment:

The group currently runs for hours in the evening every fortnight.

Volunteers would be expected to arrive early and stay behind to pack up and debrief, which would add an extra 30-45mins.

In addition, we provide supervision which would be an hour every 6-8 weeks.

Depending on availability there will also be opportunities to be involved in trips and events on an ad hoc basis.

Owing to the nature of the role we would require a commitment of at least 6 months.

Location:

- fortnightly in London

Expenses:

Travel and other reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.

Application:

An enhanced DBS check (free of charge to you) and two references are required. A criminal conviction does not necessarily stop you from volunteering with us. All decisions regarding convictions will be made on a casebycase basis

Job Type:
Volunteer

Benefits: