Volunteering
We have the following volunteering opportunities:
1. Group support - face-to-face work with young people, evenings and Saturdays
2. Management Committee members - Meeting every 6 weeks to oversee the running of STEP
3. Community Fundraisers - If you are unable to commit to a regular time, perhaps helping to raise money for STEP would be more suited to you. If you have any ideas for this or are involved in any events, please get in touch.
Group Support Volunteers
STEP seeks positive adult role models (over 18 years of age) to work alongside Project Workers in small groups of 10 - 18 year olds. Groups are activity based with a therapeutic aim behind them, for example anger management, building self-esteem or improving communication skills could be looked at through art, drama or cooking.
When Required
• Weekday evenings, 6-8pm. Volunteers work 1 session per week
• Groups run in 6, 7 or 8-week blocks so minimum commitment = 1 full set of groups
• Daytimes - Saturday Project for young people with learning difficulties (10am-1pm), August Summer Programme, and half term holidays
Location
• STEP office (Penhill Youth Centre, St Luke's School site) for training and supervision
• Currently groups run from Stratton Youth Centre (on Kingsdown School campus) and Penhill Youth Centre
Skills and Qualifications
• Enhanced police check (CRB) essential - to be completed during the induction
• Empathy for young people
• Flexible and reliable
• Able to use own initiative
• Approachable, enthusiastic and keen to ‘get stuck in!'
• Must be willing to participate in training and supervision
Principal Responsibilities
• To work with staff to ensure groups are relevant, documented and properly run
• To work within S.T.E.P. guidelines on issues such as anti-discriminatory practice, confidentiality and child protection
• To feedback to staff any concerns following group sessions
Recruitment Method
Application form, Informal Discussion, References, Police Check
Expenses
All reasonable travel expenses are paid back. Volunteering at STEP should cost you nothing but your time. Volunteers make regular mileage claims for a personal vehicle or keep public transport tickets for reimbursement by cheque within one week. It is the volunteer's responsibility to ask for the relevant form and ensure the claim is submitted.
Training
Training is currently being reviewed but sessions include Boundaries, Role of the Volunteer, Safeguarding Young People and Dealing with Difficult Situations.
Swindon Ten to Eighteen Projects is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
