Children's Activity Support

Barnardo's is committed to providing 'Better Outcomes for More Children'. Our children's services volunteers help the charity to deliver essential services in local communities, providing support to over 300,000 children, young people and their families. This role provides a great opportunity to join our fantastic children's services and help make a real difference. **Children's Activity Support** volunteers work across a range of groups, from Children's Centre's with pre-school children and Short Breaks services for children with disabilities, to Mental Health Support Groups and Young Carers Groups. Do you enjoy working with children and young people? Are you free on a Saturday and looking for a rewarding way to spend your day? If you're approachable and enthusiastic to help others, why not join a great team of play workers by getting involved in our Wiltshire Short Breaks service? The Short Breaks service offers an environment where young people with learning difficulties or special educational needs can make new friends, socialise, and have fun. These Saturday activity clubs serve as a safe space for children to interact with others with similar educational needs, to learn and to have fun by working with supportive adults. Children can start attending the Saturday clubs from 6 years old and young people may continue attending up to their 19th birthday. The groups' activities are worked around the young people's interests and hobbies wherever possible. This involves a range of activities such as cooking, video games, sports, crafts and trips to local places of interest, plus we encourage everyday life skills with support from a team of play workers and volunteers. We are looking for volunteers, with a passion for making a difference in children's lives, a fun and approachable attitude and an ability to engage young people in worthwhile and enjoyable activities. This role may involve a level of personal care. We are looking for volunteers at our Trowbridge club for half days or full days. The club operates from 10am-4pm on two Saturdays per month. Volunteers are asked to support from 9:30am-4:45pm, if possible, as this includes setting up, planning and tidying up and end of the day evaluation/feedback. For further information please contact Amie Engstrom: : We are looking for volunteers, with a passion for making a difference in children's lives, a fun and approachable attitude and an ability to engage young people in worthwhile and enjoyable activities. This role may involve a level of personal care.

Our groups need support with a range of tasks to help them run smoothly. Could you help with tasks such as planning activities, setting up and packing away, making refreshments, collecting feedback, and much more?

• Tasks: Planning and organising group activities, which take into consideration age, abilities and interests of members.

Setting up group activities in advance and clearing away afterwards. This might include preparing refreshments/snacks, organising the layout of the room, preparing resources and tidying the room after the group.

Assisting children and young people to improve their self-confidence, develop social skills and build positive relationships.

Engaging children, young people and families in fun activities during groups, which may include messy play, outdoor activities and positive play.

Ensuring the personal care needs of the children or young people are met; which may include toileting, feeding or dressing.

Collating and evaluating feedback from children, young people and parents.

Adhering to Barnardo's policies and procedures at all times, including Barnardo's: Safeguarding; Equality, Diversity and Inclusion; Health & Safety; Data Protection; Confidentiality; Recording policies and procedures.

Participating fully in training and supervision.

Volunteering within Barnardo's Values and Behaviours

• Skills: Reliable, punctual and trustworthy.

Approachable and welcoming.

Passion, enthusiasm, compassion, understanding and having an open minded approach.

Being passionate about making a difference in the lives of children, young people and families.

Preferably have some experience of working with children, young people and families.

• Benefits: Full induction and training.

Other training opportunities relevant to the volunteer role.

Regular supervision and support.

Out of pocket expenses agreed in advance.

Access to the Barnardo's internal vacancy listing.

Our volunteers tell us about lots of other benefits of volunteering including; experience of working with children, young people and families; experience for your CV; supporting your local community; meeting new people; increasing self-confidence; feeling like you are making a difference; improving your health and wellbeing; and a chance to contribute to a worthwhile children's charity.

Disclaimer: We look to recruit a diverse range of volunteers. If your skills don't fit the role exactly, please do not let this put you off as we are able to be flexible with most of our roles. If you are unable to apply online through the link on this page, please contact the Barnardo's Volunteering Team on or call us on