Youth Project Volunteer

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.

Role: Youth Zone Volunteer Dates/Times: Mornings and afternoons during weekends and school holidays

Main tasks will include:

• Interacting with and supporting young people as they wait for their visit in prison
• Delivering sessions to ensure young people enjoy themselves and have an opportunity to talk to someone whilst they are within the youth zone
• Creating a friendly, welcoming, non-judgmental environment for all young people
• Signposting young people and their parents/carers into trips and residential activities
• Completing registers and feedback forms following each youth zone session
• Adhering to Nepacs code of conduct, policies and safeguarding procedures at all times

Locations: HMP Frankland, HMP Holme House, HMP Northumberland, HMP &YOI Low Newton

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
• Strong interpersonal and diplomacy skills
  
• Empathy towards young people experiencing a difficult time
• Willingness to volunteer in all three youth rooms if possible
• Confidence
  
• Non judgmental in outlook
• Experience and / or qualifications in youth work would be helpful in this role