Description
Families First Youth Groups run on a Tuesday and Wednesday evening (6:30-8pm), for small groups to socialise and have fun. The young people (aged 12-16), volunteers and staff develop the programme of activities together, ensuring that the young people are respected and included. These activities can include pizza making, board games, and sports. Through these activities, they help children and young people to improve their emotional wellbeing and confidence, improve their social and team building skills, and encourage them to interact positively with each other. For example, one service user said: “I feel at home and I feel like I have more confidence.” Their Youth Groups are specifically designed to support young people with the additional support needs. They aim for an adult young person ratio of one adult to two young people to ensure their needs are being met and relationships are built.
Organisation aims and objectives
Families First is a very small independent charity working with children and their families aged 5 – 16 years who face significant challenges in life living in North East Fife. These challenges include Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD), various learning disabilities, social and emotional problems, mental health issues, caring responsibilities, being looked after away from their family, low self-esteem, medical problems and poverty. Isolation can be a significant challenge to the children we work with due to their personal circumstances and rural location. By supporting these children and their families we aim to: • Reduce isolation • Develop self-esteem • Improve social skills • Improve relationships All of the people we work with are referred to us by external statutory and voluntary agencies. We offer 3 core services - Family Support (adults), One-to-One Befriending (children) and Children's Group Work. Our overall objectives are to strengthen the social and emotional development of children, young people and their parents and carers; so they can become effective contributors to their communities. We do this in a number of ways, by providing opportunities for our service users to explore the challenges they face and gain new experiences in a safe environment with supportive staff and volunteers. In addition to one-to-one support and group work activities, we provide access to events throughout the year through our Family Support Service. These events give families a chance to spend time and have fun together, thus creating lasting memories with each other.
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Restrictions
Experience required: Experience is not necessary as volunteers will receive training and ongoing coaching, but if you have experience in neurodiversity, mental health, the arts and sports that would be great. Youth Group volunteers should be empathetic and patient with the young people. They should also be enthusiastic and keen to get involved, which helps encourage the young people. Volunteers should be committed and reliable.
Travel details: The Youth Groups operate out of Families First premises, Rose Lane Centre, 2 Rose Lane, c/o 132 South Street, St Andrews KY16 9EW.
Minimum age: 18
Support
Expenses paid: Yes
Expenses details: Volunteers can fill out an expense form with receipts for public transport or mileage (£0.45/mile), which will be reimbursed monthly.
Training details: All volunteers need to participate in mandatory training, which involves one day of training and one induction evening. The All-Day training includes modules such as Child and Adult Protection and Managing Behaviour, and the induction evening introduces relevant policies and procedures, such as Health and Safety.
Staff are available during youth group sessions to provide support, and the briefs and debriefs before and after sessions. All volunteers meet with the volunteer coordinator for formal supervision. Regular training opportunities from external agencies are advertised to all volunteers.
Support:
Named Contact For Volunteer