Peer Mentor (Volunteer)

Youth4Youth

17h • Remote

About The Position

Youth4Youth is seeking passionate individuals to join their tight-knit community of volunteers dedicated to improving the lives of young people across the UK. The charity offers a peer-support network, connecting young people with mentors of similar ages for comfortable communication. Successful applicants will join a diverse, like-minded team collaborating to expand the charity's reach and enhance support for young people. All volunteers work remotely, but the organization maintains a strong positive culture through consistent communication.

As a Peer Mentor, you will be at the forefront of Youth Services delivery, addressing the daily challenges faced by young people. You will engage with young people seeking support, coaching and guiding them through their difficulties. This role is ideal for individuals aged 16-25 who can commit at least 2 hours per week on average and communicate effectively via email and other remote chat functions. The position offers a direct opportunity to impact and transform the lives of young people, significantly improving their overall well-being.

Requirements

• Strong written communication skills, such as being able to effectively compose a written e-mail in response to a young person.
• Ability to build strong, professional relationships and maintain trust between yourself and a young person, such as through active listening and adapting to the individual needs of different young people.
• Ability to demonstrate empathy to others.
• Ability to work in a challenging environment and recognise when you may need support yourself.
• Proficient in the use of IT tools, such as Microsoft Outlook.
• Commitment to regular volunteering activity of at least 2 hours per week (on average).
• Ability to comfortably communicate via written e-mail and other remote chat functionalities.
• Satisfactory references being received (these do not need to be employment references).
• A satisfactory DBS check being received.
• Successful completion of the Youth Services Academy (requires an upfront commitment of 10-13 hours of training).

Nice To Haves

• Individuals who are between the ages of 16 and 25.

Responsibilities

• Building strong, professional relationships with young people seeking mentoring support.
• Demonstrating commitment to the charity by regular volunteer engagement to maintain ongoing communication with young people (which includes responding to young people within an agreed and reasonable time frame).
• Providing light support, advice and guidance to young people in relation to the troubles that they are facing, in line with the resources provided to you by the charity.
• Maintaining professional boundaries with young people and not seeking to offer support beyond your capability that may put a young person at risk.
• Maintaining regular contact with your Youth4Youth supervisor, with the expectation that you will meet at least once per month for a supervision session that involves reflective practice and a focus on your development as a mentor.
• Providing support as part of our Peer Mentor network to colleagues across the Charity who are also directly supporting young people.
• Maintaining compliance with all policies.
• Maintaining the right level of confidentiality around your conversations with young people and recognising your safeguarding responsibilities in raising concerns as they arise to keep young people safe.
• Actively getting involved in fundraising, outreach and social media activities where they feel comfortable and able to.

Benefits

• Professional and personal development opportunities in a variety of skill areas through volunteering in real roles.
• Becoming a member of a strong network of likeminded individuals, spread across the UK, who you can connect with and collaborate with both within and outside of the Charity.
• Access to bespoke discounts, specifically designed for non-profit workers and Youth4Youth volunteers.
• Opportunities to truly shape the future of the Charity, having a direct influence over the impact that Youth4Youth has on its direct beneficiaries.
• Electronic certificate to demonstrate successful completion of the Youth Services Academy, which can be shared with potential employers.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed