The Youth Adventure Trust is a registered youth development charity working with vulnerable young people aged 11 to 16 years old from Wiltshire and Swindon. Our programme provides young people with the chance to try new things and challenge themselves, experience success, learn to go beyond their expectations and grow in confidence. They have the chance to take part in a range of activities, work in a team, experience group living and challenge themselves in a new environment. The programme is built around three residential adventure camps and a series of day activities. During the final section of the three year programme, young people are assisted to identify activities or schemes they might like to be involved in once they have completed the main Youth Adventure Programme. This could include organised schemes such as the Duke of Edinburgh Award, Explorer Scouts or local activity and youth groups.

Our Mentoring Programme provides additional support for a select number of young people after completion of the main programme, who would benefit from this more individualised approach as they head into Year 10 at school (age 14-15yrs old).

As a mentor you will be carefully matched with a young person and work with them on a one to one basis within their local community. Although individual arrangements will vary, you will meet for approximately 2 hours a fortnight, for up to a year, providing them with personalised support to achieve the most positive outcomes.

With the support of the Mentoring Manager, you will help the young person to identify goals, and assist them to work towards these. Whilst each mentee will have varying objectives, all mentors will offer empathy to the challenges faced by the young person, and provide support, guidance and encouragement throughout the mentoring relationship.

What can you bring to the role?

• A wide range of experience, knowledge and skills – we really value the diversity our mentors bring
• An interest in and ability to relate to young people
• Good listening and communication skills
• Patience, flexibility and a willingness to persevere
• A commitment to supporting vulnerable young people in your local community
• Knowledge of the local area and opportunities available

What can the role offer you?

• A real sense of pride by positively impacting on the life of a young person
• An opportunity to develop a range of transferable skills which may help to improve your CV or advance your career
• An opportunity to grow personally and learn about yourself
• A chance to have fun and do something different with your time

What we would like from you

• You should be a responsible individual and positive role model
• Mentors need to be punctual, reliable and committed to the mentoring relationship
• You will need to represent the charity with professionalism and without prejudice
• A commitment to attend volunteer training and regular supervision sessions
• Previous experience of working with young people would be beneficial, but is not essential
• You must be aged over 21 years old.
• You will be required to provide two references.
• You will need to undertake an enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check, register for the DBS Update Service and agree to the Youth Adventure Trust performing an annual check of your DBS status

How the Youth Adventure Trust will support you

• Provide you with training through a comprehensive mentor training weekend, online modules and additional group or bespoke sessions
• Provide you with a Youth Adventure Trust Mentor Handbook full of information and guidance
• Provide you with a session allowance and reimburse out of pocket expenses in accordance with our policy
• Provide regular supervision sessions – both individual and peer
• Offer emergency phone support during mentoring sessions
• Provide a mobile phone for use within the mentoring role
• Organise volunteer social events
• Provide references for future employment
• Give you the full support of a dedicated Mentoring Manager

How to apply

If you would like to find out more about the programme, please contact Becky Brotherton-Brown, Senior Mentoring Manager at becky@youthadventuretrust.org.uk or phone 07592 664679. You will then be sent an application pack containing an application form to complete, alongside other relevant documents.

The information that you provide on the application form helps us to find out more about you to assist us in matching you with a young person. On receipt of the form we will contact your referees and arrange to meet you in person to discuss the work of the Trust, the young people we support and the mentoring role. There will be an opportunity to share your experience and skills as well as your motivations to volunteer.

The Youth Adventure Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and expects all volunteers to share this commitment. The suitability of all prospective volunteers will be assessed during the recruitment process in line with this commitment