Family Day Volunteer

Introduction

The Nepacs youth project is funded by Children in Need, alongside various trusts and community funds from across the north east. The project aims to support young people aged from 8 to 17 years old who have been affected by the impact of having a loved one in prison. A young person may have experienced trauma and feelings of abandonment or become a victim of bullying. As a result, they can become isolated form their peers and struggle to communicate their thoughts and feelings around their own ‘hidden’ sentence. This is where the youth project can step in, to guide young people and offer support and advice to help them to feel positive and more confident about their future.

Overview of the role

Volunteers in this role will provide support, guidance and information to young people who are affected by the imprisonment of a family member. This role will be carried out within prison visitor centres, prison visits halls and through off-site external trips and residentials. Throughout your role, you will be assisted by youth workers, youth project coordinator and sessional staff and will not be expected to take on the sole responsibility for any activities or sessions you do not feel comfortable leading. However, if you feel you would like take on a position with increased responsibility as your volunteering progresses, the youth project coordinator can discuss the opportunities for you to do so, as and where required

Role Description

This youth project volunteer role has different responsibilities attached to it depending on the location you chose to work in and where you feel most comfortable supporting young people. If you would like to take on one or more volunteering roles then this will allow us to provide you with a broader range of experiences and opportunities to help you develop your skills and confidence.

Main tasks will include:

• Attending prison family days which bring young people and their relative in prison together for a longer visit (which Nepacs staff and volunteers facilitate)
• Creating a positive and welcoming atmosphere for young people during the visit
• Delivering appropriate activities for young people which support members of the family and their loved one who is in prison to bond
• Connecting with young people and their families across the day to enhance their experience of the family day visit

Locations: HMP & YOI Deerbolt, HMP Durham, HMP Frankland, HMP Holme House, HMP Kirklevington Grange, HMP Low Newton, HMP Northumberland

To apply: Please download an application form from our Volunteer Opportunities page Volunteer | Nepacs of our website or contact: volunteering@nepacs.co.uk , or ring us on 0191 375 7278.

Skills

• Passion for supporting children and young people
• Friendly and approachable demeanour
• Strong interpersonal and diplomacy skills
• Empathy towards young people experience difficult circumstances
• Confidence
• Proactive attitude to help out other volunteers and staff where required