I’ve worked with volunteers since 2018 when in a previous role I trained and managed volunteers who were involved in mentoring programmes and education provision in a community centre of a large educational charity. I saw the benefits of volunteering to the young people I worked with, so I always appreciated its impact, and the value volunteers can bring to charities, they really are crucial to making things happen in communities.

I never had time to volunteer because of commuting in and out of London every day for work. However, when I started at Clore Social Leadership our hybrid way of working meant that I had time to volunteer. I wanted to keep connected with the Youth Sector so searched for some charities in Kent that support young people. I found The Young Lives Foundation who do great work with young people in the county. I applied to be a mentor and went through the interview and training process. I eventually started volunteering with a young person in my area in March 2023, the programme matches mentees and mentors together for an initial 6 months, and we’re about halfway through our relationship.

 

The Young Lives Foundation were very thorough and considered in their application, interview and training process. Volunteers are important so I feel organisations really care about making your experience and training impactful for not only you, but the beneficiary too.

When me and my mentee get together I pick them up and we drive somewhere and go for a walk, go eat some chips by the river, play football, basketball. I’m just someone who’s there for them for an hour or two every week, they share how their week is going, their past and hopes for the future, it’s nice to feel trusted and connected to a young person. We’re going to go to a golf driving range together next week for a reward for our efforts and commitment to the mentoring programme so far!

How do you think your volunteering work has impacted the community?

It’s hard to think about how volunteering has impacted the community, but hopefully my time spent with my mentee helps them feel guided and supported to make decisions about their future, to handle and respond to challenges that life throws at you every now and again. Those skills and learnings I can hopefully give them might help them, and in turn others in their future. My mentee’s family have shared how they’ve seen a positive change since we’ve started meeting together. It’s great to hear that something so easy to get involved with can have such positive effects on a family, it’s what I always loved about the Youth Sector.

There are youth charities with large waiting lists of young people waiting for support in the charity I volunteer with, and I’m sure it’s the same for many others. If you can spare the time I’d highly recommend getting involved in something locally, it’s a great way to connect with your community and the people who live there!