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. Barnardo’s has Children’s Centres across the following areas: Sandwell; West Bromwich; Rowley; Tipton; Smethwick; Oldbury, and Wednesbury. Each provide support for children, young people, and their families. We offer a wide range of services that can be accessed, such as, family support, health services, parenting programmes and antenatal support, and early year’s education services. Volunteers help to deliver the services in these centres, with the option to support one or more children centres, running sessions as part of the volunteer team, and working alongside the project workers. Children’s Activity Support group helpers volunteers work across a range of pre-school groups within the Children’s Centres. This includes 'Stay and Play' sessions, and 'Play, Talk and Read' sessions. 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.
Barnardo's protects, supports and nurtures the UK's most vulnerable children. Barnardo's helps bring out the best in children - no matter who they are or what they have been through. Our volunteers help make this happen.- 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.
- Role modelling positive behaviour and interactions during sessions.
- 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 Basis and Values.- 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.