Youth volunteering?

Why consider volunteering?

• Benefit your community and the environment or help individuals needing support 
• Gain experience in a working environment 
• Develop your knowledge and skills 
• Learn about yourself, your interests and strengths 
• Be part of a team and connect with new people 
• Expand your horizons, develop compassion and build confidence 

Volunteering is for everyone. At the same time, due to the needs of the role, safeguarding requirements, insurance and other considerations, there may be a minimum age for many roles. Opportunities that are open for under 18s to volunteer with local non-profit organisations can be viewed below.

Family Volunteering - as well as occasional opportunities on GoVolHerts, look for local family-friendly initiatives in your community (for example offer to help with a local event, tree-planting or litter-picking)

Clubs and organisations for young people with youth leader/volunteer roles eg.: sports groups, youth groups, Scouts, Girl Guiding UK, or groups like  Young Minds 

Youth service programmes - progression to voluntary leader roles eg Fire Cadets, Police Cadets, Army Cadets, Air Cadets, Sea Cadets, Sea Scouts, St John Ambulance Cadets

Other institutions - programmes run by your school/college, council, place of worship, eg.: 

• The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (14+) 
• Youth Councils and Youth Councils for SEND (11-25)
• Young People's Race Inclusion Forum (14-18)
• Hertfordshire libraries eg. My Voice youth volunteers | Hertfordshire County Council  
• Roots & Shoots  

Charity opportunities, eg.: 

• Opportunities for young people | British Red Cross  (age 15+) 
• Charity shops may involve volunteers from 14+
• Rotary, Kissing it Better, Canal & River Trust
• Cards for Bravery and From Me to You
• Citizen action: Mapping,
• Volunteer with your hobby - Knitting, Walking, Birds

National opportunities:

• UK Youth Parliament - National Youth Agency (11-18 years)
• #IWillMovement: Youth Action: UK Youth Charity Empowering 10-25 Year Olds  Become an Ambassador - iwill
• Power of 10 - Another Way: Join us in shaping the world

National Trust: youth discovery programme for 16–18-year-olds.. 

The Conservation Volunteers: conservation projects for 16–25-year-olds. 

NHS: youth volunteering is growing across health and care services:

• Volunteers – East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust
• Volunteer with us :: West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, 
• NHS Cadets
• NHS Volunteering - Homepage
• useful info: youth volunteering across health and care services

Events – local festivals, sports/games/music/arts/cultural events requiring volunteers to assist with tasks such as set-up, registration.

Fundraise for a charity whose purpose you support or ask them if you can help them in another tailored way, eg with social media.  

Be a Trustee - charitable companies may have opportunities for trustees to be on their Boards from age 16. Trustees are volunteers who make decisions together about the strategy and running of the charity.

• Before contacting organisations, get clear about the type of experience you want and what activities you can do to help.  
• Ask questions about the things that matter to you. 
• Tell organisations your age at the start and check that you will be insured. 
• Ask if the organisation will provide a reference or proof of volunteering (if it will be useful to you to have this)
• Speak up if you experience any doubts or problems. 
• Ensure your parents/responsible adult are aware about your volunteering. They may help you think of questions to ask and with deciding between options. 
• Some organisations may accept under 16’s if accompanied by a parent or guardian, so keep this option in mind when speaking with volunteer managers.