Whakatipu Youth Trust works alongside young people aged 10-24 to ensure rangatahi have the skills, self-worth, wellbeing, resilience and support they need to reach their full potential. Our Kaupapa is to create safe environments, trusted relationships and opportunities to empower our youth to live purposeful and meaningful lives through a 2 multidisciplinary approach.
Volunteers assist youth workers, helping to supervise young people during drop in sessions or community activities.
Key tasks include:
- Being on time for youth centre to be opened for each session
- Make sure centre is ready is set up for drop in session (prepare food and drinks, and any activity set up)
- Welcome students, ensure they sign in, offer food
- Engage students in conversation or games based on your assessment of them
- Activities could include everything from doing nails, to cooking, to watching movies
- Tidy up at end of session and encourage youth to help with this process
- For year 7&8 nights, the activities may be out in the community
- Help with holiday programmes - during school hours (planned a month out, optional based on your availability)
- Help with one-off events, also optional
It is important that volunteers:
- Are supportive of and advocate for the youth
- Understand and respect processes around confidentiality
- Are fully engaged and eager to communicate with youth
- Understand the responsibility of being a great role model
Why choose this role?
- You are welcome to take initiative on ideas for activities and lead projects
- You are encouraged to provide your input on processes- it is definitely valued!
- You will gain considerable insight into the running of a busy youth centre
- You will gain confidence communicating with and enabling young people to realise their potential
- You will enjoy being a valued member of The Whakatipu Youth Trust team
- You will have the opportunity and access to training around Te Tiriti and Pride, to be on track to become a Youth Worker
The focus of all activities is to work with young people from a strengths-based approach so they can achieve their full potential. As positive adult role models, you provide key support for the trust's goals of strengthening relationships between young people and their whanau.
As part of your training you are provided with a full induction, as well as a handbook. Child protection policy and child safety training must be completed within a month of your induction, and can be done at your own pace (it takes a few hours). You will always be paired with a youth worker and will not be left alone to supervise youth. Monthly check-ins and support is provided for all volunteers.
Requirements
- 18 years and older
- Great communication skills
- Open minded to having all appropriate conversations, and mindful of being neutral, regardless of your own belief/value systems
- Have a genuine interest in being a supportive and positive role model
- Provide 2 references
- Undergo a police check as you will be working with youth
A Police background check is required for this role.
Time commitment
- Prefer a minimum six month commitment
- At least one shift per week during term time for either (or both) drop in centre or year 7&8 night.
- Drop in centre times: Monday – Thursday 2:45pm – 5:30pm and Friday 2:45pm - 5pm (volunteers are not required every day but once a week is preferred).
- Year 7&8 night club on Thursdays 5:45pm-7.30pm during term time.
- Ideally, be available for at least 1 holiday programme activity (days and time vary).
Getting started
The first step is to express your interest by filling out the form below.
We will then put you in touch directly with the organisation for more information on the role and how to proceed.
Ref: 1800
Youth & Children
Volunteer South's office is closed from Friday 20th December until Monday January 6th. Many organisations listing roles online will also be taking a break. During this time your requests to connect will go through, however there may be some delay in you hearing from the organisations you select. Please be patient and if you have not heard back from them by mid January email them directly and give them a nudge. Thank you and have a wonderful holiday season and summer.
Enquire about this role:
Dunedin