Purpose of role

We are looking for volunteer leaders to support & lead sessions with the Outdoor Origins youth group. Outdoor Origins is about empowering and upskilling young people with the knowledge, understanding and practical skills to become nature advocates and activists. We aim to support young people to take action for nature and to create a peer-support network of like-minded 14-19 year olds.  

Type of tasks you will be involved with

Volunteer leaders will work alongside our engagement team to help support the delivery of sessions for the Outdoor Origins youth group.  You will help us to provide exciting skill and knowledge-building opportunities for young people between the ages of 14–19yrs. 

Type of tasks you will be involved with:

• As a volunteer leader you will be responsible for helping to supervise, guide and encourage groups of young people whilst they undertake a variety of practical and non-practical tasks.
• Session are designed to try and give the young people the best and most varied experience possible and therefore you will be required to help with:
  • Undertaking practical tasks on our nature reserves using a variety of hand tools (scrub removal and burning, building habitat piles, repairing fences etc.).
  • Skill building sessions including wildlife ID, habitat management theory and crafts including green woodworking.

Experience and skills required

• Experience of working with young people (ideally 14-19-year olds) in either a school or other learning environment
• Ability to enthuse others
• Interest and enthusiasm for nature and wildlife conservation
• Basic level of fitness, able to carry out physical tasks
• An understanding of child safeguarding and ability to follow Health and Safety procedures (training will be provided)
• Willingness to work outside in all weathers

Days/times we would like you to be available

• The group usually meets on the third Sunday of the month for four hours (with leaders potentially undertaking set-up/take-down before & after the session) but this is moved to a mid-week day during school holidays and dates may differ slightly to avoid public holidays.
• Sessions are planned in advance so it is not a problem if you can only commit to certain days of the week, you can choose which sessions you can commit to.

Benefits

• As a volunteer you will have the support of the engagement officers who will run the sessions and give you clear instructions and important information about the session with scope for volunteers to lead sessions when they become sufficiently experienced/confident.
• You will experience a range of different outdoor learning programs with the chance to learn new skills.
• You will receive health and safety and child safeguarding training, as well as any other training needed, such as first aid.
• It’s a great way to enjoy our nature reserves whilst also giving something back by inspiring and empowering a new generation of nature advocates.

We’re Wild About Inclusion

To us, this means inspiring, empowering and engaging people from all backgrounds, cultures, identities and abilities, to change the natural world for the better.  It also means cultivating inclusive workspaces that are free from discrimination, where differences are valued, everyone can be themselves and flourish, just like nature!

Enquire now