Why recruit younger volunteers

Have you considered recruiting volunteers aged under 18? Although many volunteering roles may not be suitable for under 18 volunteers, with some thought, there are tasks and roles that can be.

The Advantages of Recruiting Younger Volunteers

  • Introduce young people to the concept of volunteering
  • Utilise and develop their skills, confidence and interests
  • Bring skills to your organisation e.g. social media/website/tech
  • Bring a different perspective to your organisation and develop intergenerational communication
  • Engage with younger people, who will contribute to the future of your organisation, community and society
  • Help you to reflect the demographics of your community
  • Enable younger people to contribute to the local community.

What to Consider When Recruiting and Managing Younger Volunteers

  • Your organisation’s insurance policy –
    • Under 18s are seen as ‘vulnerable’ requiring an increased duty of care and responsibility.
    • Check with your insurance provider that under 18s are covered and what processes, risks assessments and policies need to be in place. Such as –
  • Risk assessments – see risk assessment templates
  • Parental permission forms – an example
  • Policies and procedures: Your organisation needs to think about all aspects of ensuring young people’s safety. These policies are not onerous to put in place and are worth the extra ‘time’ investment:
  • Supervision – it is good practice to have supervision of two adults, with at least one DBS checked. This will depend on the volunteering role.
  • What’s in it for them? – let volunteers know what they will get out of volunteering with your organisation.
  • Flexibility – offer roles that can fit around school, college and other commitments, only needs a few hours of commitment, including virtual tasks that can be completed at any time.

Types of Volunteering

  • Accompanying child / family volunteering
    • This can be a good introduction to engaging with younger volunteers as there are fewer considerations to bear in mind.
    • Many Kent charities offer this type of volunteering, including Kent Wildlife Trust and Monkton Nature Reserve. Your organisation ensures that activities are in line with polices, but parents/carers remain responsible for their children.
  • Established groups
    • Engaging with a scout pack or local school, for example, where you create a task for them to volunteer on. Your organisation makes sure that the activity is safe and the group is responsible for supervising the young people.
  • Start your own group and individual opportunities
    • Your staff are fully responsible for supervising and ensuring the safety of all young volunteers.

Your Volunteering Roles Listed on Simply Connect

If your organisation currently has volunteering roles suitable for under 18 volunteers listed with Kent Coast Volunteering’s Simply Connect volunteering platform, you can update your roles by clicking ’17 and under’ Login

Or do you have other volunteering needs that could be met by under 18 volunteers, such as social media, website tasks, virtual volunteering and trustees, add these roles too – Login

Not registered with Simply Connect yet – Register here

Other Places to Recruit Younger Volunteers

Make connections – with local schools, colleges, universities and groups. You could offer to speak in assemblies about your work.

Social media – share your roles online, thinking about which platforms younger volunteers are more likely to engage with.

Vinspired – you can also advertise your youth volunteering roles with Vinspired, a digital platform that connects young people with volunteering opportunities

Studenteer – Studenteer connects students and recent graduates to charities, good causes and mentors for remote, volunteer placements

Information sources

NSPCC has information about working with young volunteers and what to consider –

Young volunteers handbook – Toolkit created by Community First, Hampshire

Involving young volunteers – Good Practice Guidance produced by the City of York Council, updated 2015

Social Action as a family – toolkit

Increasing volunteering opportunities for young people – a guide by Greater London Volunteering

NCVO blog – top tips on recruiting & retaining young volunteers

Please note that information on this page and linked to, is to be used as a general guide, not as specific advice for your organisation.

Please email volunteering@kcv.org.uk if you have any questions.

Kent Coast Volunteering