Through community-based interventions including structured activities within our youth centre, workshops, support sessions, and mentoring, you will work within Tees Valley YMCA youth services promoting engagement and supporting personal development.

What You'll Do: 
  • Support youth participation in project design, development, and evaluation
  • Assist in delivery of scheduled activities and workshops
  • Adhere to health & safety, safeguarding, and risk management procedures
  • Follow all risk assessments and plans
  • Demonstrate commitment to Tees Valley YMCA values, equality, and service standards
  • Comply with relevant legislation including the Data Protection Act
  • Uphold Equal Opportunities and Professional Boundaries Policies
  • Comply with all Tees Valley YMCA policies and procedures
  • Promote a positive image of Tees Valley YMCA
  • Undertake training and development as required
Why You'll Love It: 
Youth Work volunteers at Tees Valley YMCA play a vital role in improving outcomes for young people across Darlington. By supporting structured activities, workshops, and one-to-one interventions, volunteers help foster personal development, promote emotional resilience, and encourage positive life choices. Their engagement enhances access to support services, reduces the risk of antisocial behaviour, and contributes to improved physical and mental wellbeing. At a broader level, volunteer involvement strengthens community cohesion by promoting inclusion, reducing social inequalities, and supporting safer, more engaged neighbourhoods. Volunteers also serve as positive role models, contributing to a culture of trust, empowerment, and long-term transformation for vulnerable young people and the communities in which they live.
What You'll Learn: 
You will learn the day to day aspects of running youth work session along with how to effectively support and engage young people in a wide variety of activities. You will learn the skills and attributes required for effective youth work and communication with young people.
What We're Looking For: 
Ability to engage and build rapport with young people from diverse backgrounds, conveying information clearly and respectfully.  Demonstrates empathy, active listening, and emotional intelligence in interactions with service users and colleagues. Willingness to work constructively within a multidisciplinary team, contributing to shared goals and adapting to changing needs. Upholds organisational policies including safeguarding, confidentiality, and equality, and maintains appropriate boundaries at all times. Responds calmly and appropriately to challenging situations, using sound judgement to support young people effectively.  Ability to advocate on behalf of young people and support them to be able to advocate for themselves. Previous involvement in delivering workshops, mentoring, or recreational group activities.
Summary
Volunteering
Community
Crime and Violence
Crisis Support
Education
Darlington
12 Weeks Minimum
0 Hours / Week
Skills you will develop: 
Active listening
Communication
Cultural Awareness
Problem Solving
Teamwork/Collaboration
Requirements: 
Statement of Motivation
DBS check
In-Person Interview
Over 18
Training
These documents must be completed: 

Similar Opportunities

 
Social Prescriber
Teesside University - Wellbeing and Community
Min. 0 Weeks Minimum weeks
Social Prescriber
Volunteering
Community, Education, Health, Social Care

You will work as a social prescriber working one to one with students online signposting them to activities and services that support their wellbeing. This role is aimed at students studying a degree in Psychology (under or post-grad level).

 
Youth Inspectors
Youth Focus: North East
Min. 3 Weeks Minimum weeks
Youth Inspectors
Volunteering
Community, Education, Families, Health, Young People

We are looking for volunteers to work alongside a Lead Youth Worker on our HAF young inspectors programme, funded by Middlesbrough Council. You will help to train young people to become young inspectors and also be a part of the inspections.

 
Family Focus Session Volunteer
Youth Focus: North East
Min. 5 Weeks Minimum weeks
Family Focus Session Volunteer
Volunteering
Community, Crisis Support, Culture, Families, Poverty

To be working with parents who have children between the ages of 10-18, and signpost them to organisations they will need. This role will be 2 hours per week

Related Articles

Volun-tees
Emma Nelson - School Volunteer
Volunteering has helped me progress to my Teaching Training programme.
Volun-tees
Laura talks about her volunteering with the SU
How volunteering has given Laura valuable skills and experiences.
Volun-tees
Middlesbrough and Stockton Mind volunteers
Andrea tells us more about how student volunteers have been providing support during Covid-19