Volunteering Opportunity: Student Co-Ordinator with Harpenden Trust

The Harpenden Trust Provides a variety of support for families, individuals and other local charitable organisations, all within the ALS postcode.
Over 500 volunteers are involved in a wide range of projects, from financial support and outings to wellbeing and befriending. All of our work is carried out with our trust values uppermost in our minds: with care and kindness, with community spirit and with creativity and commitment.

Volunteering is a rewarding experience. Encouraging participation early in life can provide young people with valuable life experiences, fond memories and can foster an interest in volunteering at other times throughout their life.
The Harpenden Trust (the 'Trust') is also mindful of the contribution that young people can make to the wellbeing of (most especially) our more senior residents.

6th form students from local schools are encourages to volunteer in a variety of wars with support from the volunteer Student Co-ordinator Including: -

- At Christmas time, a number of student volunteers work in pairs on the Annual Christmas Appeal, delivering Appeal envelopes to roads within the town.

- Some students help elderly residents in group settings at a local care home. there is scope in other care homes for students to become involved.

- Some students befriend elderly clients alongside adult volunteers (they can't befriend individuals without support- a safeguarding issue)

Opportunity Type: Long-term Commitment

District: St Albans

Location: From your office, Online, Outdoor

Time of day: Casual or Intermittent

Practical Considerations: what can volunteers get out of it?
Assisting in the work of the Trust.
Satisfaction in matching student volunteers to roles where they can gain experiences in a variety of ways.
There will be the ability within this role to contribute to its development and advancement.

Flexible
Home based/ Local schools/ Trust Premises
Report to People Director
Application form and 2 references
DBS check, child and adult safeguarding training
Initial and ongoing training as required. Management support.

Requirements: Will require a criminal record check (DBS)

Suitable for: 16 – 17 year olds, 18 – 25 year olds, Aged 26 and over, University students

Suitable for volunteers interested in: Education & Training (young people), Voluntary & Community Action, Young People & Adolescents

Does this opportunity provide wheelchair access?: No

Full Description:
- Being first point of contact for students interested in volunteering with the Trust, interviewing them for suitability and actioning their onboarding process through the People Admin Team.
- Supporting students as necessary with the Trust and with their roles and liaising as appropriate with relevant Trust Team Leaders and those supervising student in the volunteering roles via teams' chats.

- Developing a relationship with the schools; encouraging a continual flow of students, as some move onto further education/work

Skills, experience and qualities needed
Empathetic and understanding and comfortable with dealing with young people.
Comfortable liaising and communicating with various Trust volunteers, school personnel and other 3rd parties that may become involved.
Good IT skills.
Familiarity with relevant Trust Policies and procedures will be essential.