Would you like to gain volunteering experience, learn new skills and help younger children?
Join Sirens & Sparkles as a Youth Helper with our Sea Turtles club for children aged 5–10.
As a Youth Helper, you'll be part of our volunteer team and volunteer alongside adult Youth Leaders. You'll help us make club sessions fun, friendly and welcoming for everyone.
You could help with:
+ Setting up activities and equipment
+ Joining in with games, activities and practical challenges
+ Helping and encouraging younger children to take part
+ Supporting members as they work towards badges and awards
+ Helping with first aid, safety, creativity, life skills and other activities
+ Helping set up before sessions and tidy away afterwards
+ Being a positive and friendly member of the team
Sea Turtles is an inclusive SEND club. Our members have different abilities, communication styles and support needs. Some children may communicate without speaking, need extra help to take part, become overwhelmed or distressed, or sometimes behave in ways that others may find challenging.
You won't be expected to deal with difficult situations on your own. Adult Youth Leaders will be there to support you and will remain responsible for the children.
As a young volunteer, you will not be left in charge of children, run sessions on your own or be counted as an adult member of the team. You will not provide personal care, such as helping children with toileting, nappies or continence products.
You don't need previous volunteering, youth-work or SEND experience. We'll provide an induction, appropriate training and ongoing support to help you feel confident in your role.
Parent or guardian permission is required for volunteers aged 14–17, and the relevant forms and agreements will need to be completed before you start.
This is a voluntary, unpaid opportunity for young people aged 14–17. It's a chance to gain experience, develop confidence, learn new skills, meet new people and make a positive difference in your community.
What skills do I need?
You don't need any previous volunteering or SEND experience to join us. We will help you learn what you need to know.
We're looking for young people who:
- Are friendly, kind and patient
- Enjoy helping and encouraging younger children
- Are reliable and willing to learn
- Can listen to instructions and guidance from adult Youth Leaders
- Are happy to work as part of a team
- Are respectful of people who may communicate, learn or behave differently
- Are willing to join in with activities and help with setting up and tidying away
- Know when to ask an adult for help if they are unsure or something becomes difficult
You don't need to be confident at everything when you start. You will receive an induction, training and plenty of guidance and support from the adult team.
If you have your own experience or understanding of SEND, that's welcome, but it is not essential.
Most importantly, we're looking for young people who want to learn new skills, gain experience and help make Sea Turtles a fun and welcoming place for younger children.
Interests
- Children
- Community Engagement
- Disability
- Families and Parenting
- Health and Social Care
- Suitable for under 18s
- Young people
Activities
- Employment, Education and Training
- First Aid
- Groups and clubs
- Practical skills
- Support and Befriending
Details
- Accessibility
We welcome disabled and neurodivergent young volunteers and aim to make volunteering as accessible and supportive as possible. We will discuss individual access and support requirements with the young person and their parent/guardian and consider reasonable adjustments appropriate to the role. Club venues will be accessible. - DBS check required
An appropriate DBS check will be required for volunteers aged 16 and over, where eligible for the role. Sirens & Sparkles First Aid CIC will arrange the appropriate check. Youth Helpers aged 14–17 will always work under appropriate adult supervision, will not be counted as adult volunteers or staffing ratios, and will not be left responsible for children. - Equal opportunities policy
Sirens & Sparkles First Aid CIC is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes young volunteers from a wide range of backgrounds, experiences and abilities. We aim to remove barriers to volunteering and consider reasonable adjustments wherever appropriate. - Expenses reimbursed
We may reimburse reasonable travel expenses on a case-by-case basis. Young volunteers are normally responsible for their own travel costs to and from their regular volunteering location. Where this creates a financial barrier to volunteering, we may be able to provide support with agreed travel costs. Any support or pre-approved expenses will be agreed with the young volunteer and their parent/guardian. - Ongoing support; Health and Safety Policy
Young volunteers receive ongoing guidance, support and appropriate adult supervision and work in accordance with Sirens & Sparkles First Aid CIC's Health & Safety Policy, safeguarding procedures and relevant risk assessments. - Suitable for under 18s
This opportunity has been specifically designed for young volunteers aged 14–17. Parent/guardian permission is required, and young volunteers will always work within age-appropriate responsibilities under adult supervision. - Training provided
Young volunteers receive age-appropriate training relevant to their role, including induction, safeguarding awareness and appropriate first aid training. Additional SEND and communication guidance will be provided as appropriate. - Volunteer induction
All young volunteers complete an age-appropriate induction before starting. This includes their role, boundaries, safeguarding, health and safety, who to ask for help and what they should do if they are worried about something. - Volunteer policy
Young volunteers are expected to follow Sirens & Sparkles First Aid CIC's Volunteer Policy, safeguarding requirements, Code of Conduct and other relevant procedures. Information will be explained in an age-appropriate way. - Volunteers covered by insurance
Young volunteers are covered by Sirens & Sparkles First Aid CIC's insurance while carrying out authorised volunteering activities appropriate to their role. - Written role description
A written Youth Helper – Sea Turtles (Ages 5–10 SEND Club) – 14–17 role description is provided to the young volunteer and their parent/guardian.
When can I volunteer?
| Slot | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Afternoon | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | No |
| Evening | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
Availability Details
We are currently recruiting Youth Helpers aged 14–17 for our weekly Sea Turtles club for children aged 5–10 in Sidcup, starting from January 2027. Sea Turtles: Saturdays, 2:30 pm–3:45 pm. Young volunteers are asked to arrive approximately 30 minutes before the session to help prepare and set up activities and remain for approximately 30 minutes afterwards to help tidy away and take part in a short team debrief. We ask Youth Helpers to attend regularly where possible, as having familiar and consistent volunteers is particularly important for many of our members. We understand that school, college, exams, family commitments, holidays and other activities may sometimes mean you cannot attend. We just ask that you or your parent/guardian let us know as early as possible if you are unable to come. Training and occasional volunteer meetings will be arranged in advance and will be appropriate for the volunteer's age and role. Youth Helpers aged 14–17 will only support the Sea Turtles club and will always volunteer alongside and under the supervision of adult members of the team.
Location
The Castle Cinema Sidcup
Storyteller Building,
106 High St
Sidcup
Kent
DA14 6DS
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