Volunteering FAQs

For most of our roles we just ask that you’re passionate about helping young people and there is no prior experience needed! However, there are some roles where we’ll be looking for someone with a particular skill or qualification. Each role description will specify what skills are needed, if any are needed at all.

Absolutely! While it’s beneficial if you have some experience working or volunteering with young people, this isn’t essential. We all need to start somewhere, and we’d love to support you in your first role alongside young people.

As a volunteer you will not be contracted to any time commitment. That being said, each role description comes with a ‘suggested time commitment’ that we hope you’ll be able to fit into your week. There is always flexibility within any suggested time commitment so please have a chat with us if you’re not able to offer the full amount.

We ask that all of our volunteers are at least 18 years of age, unless they’re a Young Leader Volunteer (which is only open to HideOut Youth Zone members).

Generally speaking, this shouldn’t stop you from volunteering. However, we would ask that you check the terms of your visa and demonstrate your eligibility to volunteer during the recruitment process.

Volunteering rarely affects benefits but there is some really helpful information on the NCVO website. You can find the information, here: NCVO – Volunteering and benefits

The application process for most roles will require you to come in and meet with us for an informal interview. This will take around 60 minutes and will be held by the Volunteer Manager and the Coordinator involved with the specific volunteer role (i.e. Sports Coordinator for a Volunteer Sports Youth Worker role).

You can expect a clearly defined role within our Youth Zone, a volunteer management specialist you can go to for support and a sessional main contact who will assist you throughout your volunteering journey. You’ll be provided with training, ongoing support and feedback throughout your time with us so that you can develop your skills. As well as this, we’ll ask for your feedback, whilst utilising your skills/experience and continually appreciating your contribution.

As a volunteer you can leave your role at any time. However, if you intend to leave, we’d ask that you give us as much notice as possible so that we don’t have any gaps in our services for Young People.

Most of our roles do require volunteers to come into the Youth Zone. However, we may have some roles that require visits less often and some administration tasks which can be done from home. The location of each role will be stated on the respective role description.

Yes. We reimburse any expense incurred during your volunteering with us. All expenses need to be claimed back, using a valid receipt and in compliance with our expense policy; but don’t worry, we’ll go through all of this during your induction!

Hear from parents, voluntary sector youth providers and councillors in this short video about why they think Youth Zones are so important to their local areas: https://www.onsideyouthzones.org/changing-perceptions-of-a-youth-zone

All of our volunteer roles require an enhanced DBS check. A criminal conviction will not necessarily prevent you from becoming a volunteer; the decision will depend on the type of offence and its relevance to the volunteering role. If you do have any convictions, please add this information on your application and mention it when asked at interview. 

If you’re aged 14-19 or 25 with additional needs, you can apply to take part in our Young Leaders programme. If you’re over 18 years old, you can apply to be a Volunteer once you have had a year long break from attending as a member.

Yes we do. Please contact enquiries@hideoutyouthzone.org to discuss possibilities. 

Yes you can! Approximately 16% of our members identify as having a disability or additional need, and representation is really important to us. Please do let us know at your interview of any reasonable adjustments so that we can support you. 

We do offer placements, but these are organised through local universities and are extremely competitive.  Please speak to your placement tutor or contact enquiries@hideoutyouthzone.org. 

When we are notified that a volunteer is pregnant, we carry out a risk assessment to see if the volunteer role they want to take on is safe for them to do so. If we feel the role poses too many risks, we may be able to make some adjustments or suggest another volunteer role.

This will be reviewed on a case by case basis. Please email enquiries@hideoutyouthzone.org to discuss this further.