Volunteer With Us
Thank you for your interest in volunteering!
Volunteers are a valued part of our organisation and integral to furthering the work we do. We offer extensive training and support so that volunteers can learn and develop whilst helping to keep our services running to a high standard.
If you are interested in working with young people, and have skills, experience and commitment to share with others, then we may have the perfect volunteering opportunity for you…
Our dedicated team of Youth Support Volunteers offer young people a safe and confidential space to talk whilst providing information about sexual health, mental health, housing, signposting to other organisations and referrals to projects within The Zone and other agencies.
Become a Youth Support Volunteer.
Our volunteer programme runs throughout the year, with new intakes often taking place in spring and autumn.
We are now taking applications for our Spring 2026 intake.
Closing date for applications: 20th Feb 2026
Selection Day: 24th Feb 9.30-1.30 at The Zone
Training will take place throughout March on a Tuesday and Friday evening (further details tbc).
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer please complete our application form so we can keep you up to date with details of our next course.
If you have any questions about volunteering, training or the application process please contact us.
“I love volunteering at The Zone; it’s so rewarding. You never know what to expect, every day is different and every young person has different needs - it’s very satisfying to be able to help people. It’s made me more aware of lots of the issues facing young people these days, and I’ve made some new friends in the other volunteers.”
What is a Youth Support Volunteer?
A Youth Support Volunteer is someone who has completed our training and provides practical, emotional and information-based support to young people accessing The Zone. This involves listening without judgement, signposting to appropriate services, and supporting young people to explore their options in a safe, supportive and respectful way.
Volunteers may support young people with a range of topics, including mental health and emotional wellbeing, sexual health, healthy relationships and consent. This might involve offering reassurance, helping young people talk through worries or concerns, sharing reliable information, and supporting them to access appropriate services for further help. Volunteers do not provide counselling or medical advice but play an important role in helping young people feel heard, informed and supported.
All support is provided within clear professional boundaries, safeguarding policies and The Zone’s values, with volunteers working closely alongside trained staff and receiving ongoing supervision and guidance.
Supporting young people can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also be challenging and emotionally demanding at times. Volunteers may hear about difficult or sensitive situations and, in some cases, the support available may be limited or a young person may choose not to accept the help offered. This is a normal part of youth work and something we prepare and support our volunteers for through training, supervision and ongoing guidance.
Due to the emotional demands of the role, this position is not be suitable for someone who is currently emotionally vulnerable or who feels that volunteering will help them address personal challenges.
Because of the nature of the work, Youth Support Volunteers must also be aged 18 or over. This ensures volunteers can engage appropriately with sensitive topics, take part fully in training and safeguarding processes, and work safely and confidently within a professional youth work environment.
Our priority is to ensure that both young people and volunteers feel safe, supported and able to engage positively.
We offer all our volunteers:
Comprehensive training
Out of pocket expenses
Practical experience of face to face support
The opportunity to be part of a diverse agency
A rewarding role supporting young people
In return we ask that you:
Attend selection day and training
Commit to volunteering with us for 3 hours a week, choosing from set shifts which cover our front of house drop in times.
Uphold The Zone’s ethos and values
Are enthusiastic about empowering young people to live safe, healthy and positive lives!