What does it mean to be a young volunteer? What are the roles that young people already play? And what does the future of volunteering look like for young people in Somerset?
We explored these questions – and many more – in celebration of Youth Work Week during the Somerset Youth Week Work Conference. The topic in hand was a subject I’m incredibly passionate about: youth volunteering.
Whether supporting local charities, helping at community events, caring for the environment, or sharing their digital skills, volunteering offers young people the chance to learn, grow and contribute to something bigger than themselves.
During the conference, I was particularly struck by the words of Jacob Diggle, Chief Impact Officer at UK Youth, who compared youth work to a street light: No one notices it until it goes out, but when it does, young people can be left in the dark – We need to make sure that we keep the lights on for young people, with as many opportunities to participate as possible.
Challenges meet opportunities
We know from our research at Spark Somerset that volunteering can help young people build confidence, develop valuable skills, as well as improving wellbeing and resilience. Volunteering is about so much more than gaining experience to support future education and employment opportunities, important as they are. Organisations and communities also benefit hugely from the fresh perspectives, creativity and energy that young volunteers can bring.
Perhaps at this time of uncertainty around funding, where vital organisations are struggling to keep their own lights on, creating voluntary opportunities for young people may be more important than ever?
Despite the real benefits volunteering brings to individuals, organisations and young people, there are equally real barriers that can prevent them from getting involved. Limited awareness of opportunities, transport challenges – a theme that came up time and again during the conference, time pressures, and concerns about confidence can all make volunteering less accessible for a lot of our young people.
As organisations, we need to think creatively about how we remove these obstacles to volunteering and make sure opportunities are welcoming, flexible and designed with young people in mind.
This is one of the reasons youth volunteering is such an important priority for Spark Somerset. We believe every young person should have the opportunity to contribute to their community and gain the benefits that volunteering can offer.
Through our work with local organisations, schools, colleges and youth clubs, we are one of many organisations determined to create more inclusive volunteering opportunities across the county.
Fresh perspectives
Kevin Plumridge from St Margaret’s Hospice joined the Youth Work Conference – Where Futures Begin – to share how young volunteers can become an integral part of any organisation. He reminded us that young people bring so much more than an extra pair of hands; they bring fresh ideas, new perspectives and an infectious enthusiasm that can energise an organisation.
At St Margaret’s Hospice, young volunteers have become a valued part of the team, building confidence, learning new skills and gaining experience for the future, while making a real difference to hospice patients, families and staff – the roles are as diverse as the people, and their success reminds us that when we invest in young people, with meaningful ways to take part, everyone benefits.
Andy Malcolm from Young Swindon and Wiltshire brought additional perspective on how volunteering can act as a pathway into employment, helping young people develop the skills and experience employers are looking for. We hope that the SkillShare initiative will help VCFSE organisations to grow their skills, and then pay their new knowledge forward, to empower volunteers to support their organisation.
Youth volunteering, of course, is not just about helping organisations meet their needs. It is about investing in the next generation, strengthening communities, and creating opportunities for young people to thrive.
If you’re a charity, community group, or even a youth work organisation, now is the time to think about how young people can become part of your volunteer team. What opportunities could you create? What barriers could you remove? How could young people’s ideas, energy and skills help your organisation achieve even more?
Practical tools to take the next steps
One way to connect with more young people is through Spark a Change. Organisations can use this platform to recruit and engage young volunteers, it’s specific to Somerset and gives young people a place to find hope and meaning. Since it’s creation, Spark a Change has matched over 1550 volunteers with local opportunities!
I’d also love you to join us at the next Volunteer Coordinators Forum run by Volunteering Development Manager, Laura Bazley, where you can share your experiences, learn from others, and be part of the continuing conversation about youth volunteering in Somerset.
Together, we can develop stronger pathways into volunteering, and ensure more young people have the chance to gain skills, confidence and connections.
And let’s not end the conversation there. Do explore opportunities to recruit young volunteers, review your volunteering practices, and take one positive step towards making your organisation more youth-friendly this year.
Every opportunity you create today could be the start of a young person’s journey into employment, community leadership, or a lifelong commitment to giving back.
As part of our Vision for Volunteering, I look forward to working with colleagues from all sectors to make Somerset a place where every young person can find meaningful volunteering – and where every organisation feels confident welcoming the next generation of volunteers!
