Youth work

The youth service works with young people aged between 11 and 25 years, focussing on 13 to 19 year olds. The service makes use of a range of informal learning opportunities to involve and enable young people to develop as individuals and members of groups and communities.

Volunteering and youth work

The youth service already has many volunteers who make a real contribution to the provision of services already done by paid staff. The contribution from volunteers enhances the services to young people and their communities across Plymouth.

What is volunteering?

Volunteering is a positive or group contribution to community and local needs undertaken in a spirit of independence and free will. It is time given freely without any financial reward.

Why volunteer?

It can make a real contribution to the social, educational and personal development of young people and others in the community. The volunteer has the opportunity to develop and gain new skills, which can help with career development as well as giving them a greater deal of personal satisfaction.

Who can become a volunteer?

We are not looking for people with professional qualifications. We need a wide range of people from different backgrounds and experiences who have time to offer, who are interested in young people, who are able to listen to them sympathetically and have the ability to be open minded. Above all volunteers need to be reliable.

Becoming a volunteer

To find out more about current youth work volunteer opportunities please contact the Youth Service.

All volunteers will need to complete an application form and possibly have an interview. All volunteers will be required to undergo a Criminal Records Bureaux (CRB) check prior to be allowed to work with young people.

Further opportunities

If you are volunteering and are under 25 you will have the opportunity to take part in a range of award schemes including, Youth Achievement Award, Duke of Edinburgh's Award and the 'Plym Youth' local award. For those age 16 and over, if you are considering Youth Work as a profession, you can access the new National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Level 2 or 3 in Youth Work.