Exploring Youth Volunteer Engagement and Social Action
This session delves into involving young people as volunteers, discussing survey results, concerns and benefits for both organizations and young individuals, recruitment strategies, available roles, and experiences. Insights from the Yorkshire Dales National Park and survey feedback shed light on challenges and opportunities in engaging young volunteers. National and local initiatives underline the importance of youth social action and volunteering, emphasizing the need to address barriers and enhance opportunities for youth involvement.
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Presentation Transcript
This session will explore: Survey results Context - Youth Social Action and volunteering Concerns for Organisations and Young People Benefits for Organisations and Young People Considerations for involving Young Volunteers Recruiting Roles Experiences of involving young people as volunteers Sally from Yorkshire Dales National Park
Survey results: 16 responses, thank you 1. Does your organisation currently involve young people as volunteers? 38% 16+, 25% do not currently involve young volunteers 2. Do you host young people as part of a structured programme? E.g. Duke of Edinburgh, National Citizenship Service, Princes Trust et 50/50 split 3. How do you currently involve young people...? 75% as individuals, 43% within groups, 31% with families 4. What roles od you offer young people? 50% practical tasks, 37% family tasks, 31% digital tasks
Survey: Anything else we should know? School work has to take priority, and so has limited the time and availability of our young volunteers. It would be interesting to know from other organisations how much of their communication is with the young person when an application is submitted, or through the parent/guardian. We do not currently have any youth volunteers on board, though there maybe a university student starting shortly. All of our volunteer roles are available for young people, it's just a question of getting them to apply. We have some of our Young Adult Carers who are looking at volunteering roles and we would like to encourage them to do this more and see what is out there and who/how we can support them better around this
Context Nationally a number of campaigns to encourage young people to volunteer/take part in youth social action eg. Image result for national citizenship logo
National Picture 2019 Youth Social Action Survey
Local Picture North Yorkshire Alliance 2018 research project looked at volunteering by young people aged 15 25 across North Yorkshire. Considered Barriers Opportunities Local vs National picture Surveys completed by young people/ organisations and businesses.
Young People Volunteer Structured programmes eg. N.C.S. / D of E Digital social action eg. code clubs and social media Local clubs and societies Schools and education Sports Festivals and Events Federated Organisations eg. Young Farmers, Scouts As young trustees * from Give a Shift Report 2018
Involving Young Volunteers a Minefield or a Mega Opportunity? In break out rooms, take a few minutes to consider: Concerns organisations might have about involving young people as volunteers? Concerns young people might have about engaging in volunteering/social action?
Organisations Concerns Young people won t have the skills, maturity or experience Won t fit in with existing volunteers Barriers - Access to transport - Unable to make the commitment - No suitable opportunities Safeguarding & DBS Insurance cover (restrictions) Parental consents * from Give a Shift Report 2018
Young Peoples Concerns Didn t now how to start or where to find opportunities Lack of time because of school, work or family Not sure about commitment involved Didn t see why should give time for free They hadn t been asked Didn t know what they would gain Didn t feel they d be needed Couldn t afford it or had no access to transport Uncool
Benefits for Organisations bring energy, enthusiasm, new ideas and commitment have a range of talents and skills give a voice to young people (particularly if client group) and can shape future work help recruit other young people develop a long term connection with your group media opportunities help develop partnerships and networks with other organisations that support young people (e.g. schools and youth groups) champion your work to a wider audience parents, residents, community
Benefits for Young People improves connection to and awareness of community and social issues offers relevant work experience, enhancing skills and career prospects (and CV) raises aspirations and promotion of personal resilience builds new social skills and networks gives opportunity to meet a wider range of people than those in school or work and to learn new skills (professional, personal and practical) have fun access references https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=162AJojCNw8
Preparing for Young Volunteers Think about: developing/adapting young person friendly opportunities and roles bespoke, flexible, age suitable roles good practice in volunteer management - policies and procedures (interviews and inductions) taster, microvolunteering sessions supervision peer support/volunteer buddy Unsuitable roles
Preparing for Young Volunteers Think about: risk assessments expenses training insurance volunteering hours DBS written consents employment law
Being Young Volunteer Ready Be respectful Involve them in decision making Communicate without judgement Give positive role models Be honest Have clear boundaries Show trust (use humour) Help them to access training opportunities Understand they may have other commitments Give support Help to build their confidence Be welcoming Be friendly Be understanding
Recruiting Roles Schools and colleges - https://www.youth-social- action.careersandenterprise.co.uk/ youth clubs, community centres, existing groups - involve and ask young people - case studies of volunteer experiences Word of mouth via existing volunteers, family and friend Home Educated children Youth Volunteering Projects Online directories eg VINY Social Media (Gen Z) Tik tok Example
Useful Info Young People Providers Network Meeting IVAR Power of Youth Volunteering (May 2022) A Breath of Fresh Air Finding and Supporting Young People as Trustees a checklist for Charities In the Loop (weekly e-newsletter) sign up here Other useful resources?
Thank you Lizzie Clapham 01904 704177 volunteersupport@communityfirstyorkshire.org.uk www.communityfirstyorkshire.org.uk Twitter @volunteeringNY Facebook @Comm1stYorks
