Location: 

Various locations across York. 

Location of mentoring sessions will be agreed in advance between the one-to-one volunteer mentor, their mentee and their allocated Island Mentor Supervisor.

Time Commitment: 

52 sessions at 1-3 hours per week 

• During term time, session times may vary but will mostly take place either after school, weekday early evenings up until 9pm or weekends up until 6.30pm

• Out of term time sessions can take place weekday up until 9pm or weekends up until 6.30pm

• Session dates and times will be mutually agreed in advance between the one-to-one volunteer mentor and their mentee 

• Sessions are flexible and will be tailored mutually around the one-to-one volunteer mentor’s and their mentee’s needs, including holidays, work and family commitments

Overview: 

The Island is a York-based charity that has over the last 15 years helped children and young people between the ages of 8 and 18 overcome challenges with their physical, mental, emotional and social wellbeing through regular recreational mentoring provisions. Alongside their fully trained volunteer mentor, the one-to-one mentoring programme provides children and young people with the time and space they require to build positive thoughts and feelings about themselves so that they are better able to cope with future life challenges. 

About the role: 

A rewarding opportunity to support the positive development of vulnerable children and young people through mentoring in the community - helping them gain resilience and confidence. 

Responsibilities:

• Plan, arrange and participate in regular recreational activities with your mentee

• Develop an informal relationship with your mentee through dialogue, shared interests and activities

• Provide active listening, support and informed guidance. Any information that is of a serious nature must be reported to The Island immediately via the duty phone (this will be discussed in training)

• Meet and return your mentee to their home unless another agreement has been made. 

• Write up a short weekly mentoring session report (template will be provided) 

• Attend a quarterly meeting with your Mentor Supervisor to discuss how the mentoring journey is going and to raise any concerns or if you require any additional training or support

• Submit travel and mentoring receipts after each session to be reimbursed (if you require the funds in advance, let us know and we’ll get this arranged) 

Requirements:

• An Enhanced DBS check* (we will finance this for all one-to-one volunteer mentors)

• Complete The Island’s one-to-one mentor training programme 

• Reliable, punctual with good organisational and communication skills

• Able to commit to supporting a child or young person for 52 sessions, ideally one session per week (if this doesn’t work for you but you would like to discuss an alternative commitment, then let us know)

• Based in York or nearby to York

Benefits:

• Full in-house training will be provided (to be done face-to-face and online)

• Access to additional accredited courses (free of charge) to improve your personal and professional development opportunities 

• Regular social meet ups with The Island team and other one-to-one volunteer mentors

• Gain experience in the charity and youth sector

• Travel and mentoring session expenses covered

Inclusion and diversity:

We are committed to inclusion and diversity and welcome volunteer applications from everyone regardless of disability (visible or invisible), race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, gender identity or veteran status.

Feedback from previous mentors:

• “I have gained an insight into the challenges of working with young people. It has been a rewarding experience which has taught me a lot. The experience also helped me to secure a teaching assistant role at a local school after a prolonged period of being unemployed.”

• “Mentoring has not just transformed my mentee’s life for the better, but also my own. The experience has improved my own interpersonal skills as well as given me the opportunity to try out new activities, many of which I would not have done on my own. Mentoring has made me more confident in my own abilities and I feel blessed to have been part of my mentee’s journey who has grown from a shy, isolated and reserved young person into a joyful and happy person who is now thriving at school.”

How to apply:

Email: To apply to become a volunteer mentor through The Island's electronic application form, click here.

Email, post or hand deliver: To apply to become a One-to-One Volunteer Mentor, click here to download an application form.  

If you have any questions, then please get in touch here.

*Disclaimer: we can accept applications for prospective volunteer mentors with certain past convictions, cautions, final warnings and reprimands. We are compliant with the disclosure and barring system requirements and process and will act accordingly in individual circumstances. Please contact us to discuss any past activity and we’ll be able to provide further information if we could proceed with a formal application. Thank you.

Location: 

Various locations across York. 

Location of mentoring sessions will be agreed in advance between the one-to-one volunteer mentor, their mentee and their allocated Island Mentor Supervisor.

Time Commitment: 

52 sessions at 1-3 hours per week 

• During term time, session times may vary but will mostly take place either after school, weekday early evenings up until 9pm or weekends up until 6.30pm

• Out of term time sessions can take place weekday up until 9pm or weekends up until 6.30pm

• Session dates and times will be mutually agreed in advance between the one-to-one volunteer mentor and their mentee 

• Sessions are flexible and will be tailored mutually around the one-to-one volunteer mentor’s and their mentee’s needs, including holidays, work and family commitments

Overview: 

The Island is a York-based charity that has over the last 15 years helped children and young people between the ages of 8 and 18 overcome challenges with their physical, mental, emotional and social wellbeing through regular recreational mentoring provisions. Over the last five years, we’ve received a significant increase in male children and young people being referred to us due to challenges with their emotional regulation. Many of the male children and young people we work with, have an interest in sport, and wish to pursue their interest in sports with their fully trained volunteer mentor. The one-to-one mentoring programme provides children and young people with the time and space they require to build positive thoughts and feelings about themselves so that they are better able to cope with future life challenges. 

About the role: 

A rewarding opportunity to support the positive development of vulnerable children and young people through mentoring in the community - helping them gain resilience and confidence. 

Responsibilities:

• Plan, arrange and participate in regular recreational activities with your mentee. There may be times that the mentee does not want to do sport activities, therefore a willingness to plan for this is important

• Develop an informal relationship with your mentee through dialogue, shared interests and activities

• Provide active listening, support and informed guidance. Any information that is of a serious nature must be reported to The Island immediately via the duty phone (this will be discussed in training)

• Meet and return your mentee to their home unless another agreement has been made

• Write up a short weekly mentoring session report (template will be provided) which is to be emailed to The Island

• Attend a quarterly meeting with your Mentor Supervisor to discuss how the mentoring journey is going and to raise any concerns or if you require any additional training or support

• Submit travel and mentoring receipts after each session to be reimbursed (if you require the funds in advance, let us know and we’ll get this arranged) 

Requirements:

• An Enhanced DBS check* (we will finance this for all one-to-one volunteer mentors)

• Complete The Island’s one-to-one mentor training programme 

• Reliable, punctual with good organisational and communication skills

• Able to commit to supporting a child or young person for 52 sessions, ideally one session per week (if this doesn’t work for you but you would like to discuss and alternative commitment, then let us know)

• Based in York or nearby to York

Benefits:

• Full in-house training will be provided (to be done face-to-face and online)

• Access to additional accredited courses (free of charge) to improve your personal and professional development opportunities 

• Regular social meet ups with The Island team and other one-to-one volunteer mentors

• Gain experience in the charity and youth sector

• Travel and mentoring session expenses covered

Inclusion and diversity:

We are committed to inclusion and diversity and welcome volunteer applications from everyone regardless of disability (visible or invisible), race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, gender identity or veteran status.

Everyone is welcome to apply for this volunteer role, currently however, we have very few male mentors working with us. We would strongly welcome applications from men looking to give back to their community. 

How to apply:

Email: To apply to become a One-to-One Volunteer Mentor (Sports) through The Island's electronic application form, click here.

Email, post or hand deliver: To apply to become a One-to-One Volunteer Mentor (Sports), click here to download an application form. 

If you have any questions, then please get in touch here.

*Disclaimer: we can accept applications for prospective volunteer mentors with certain past convictions, cautions, final warnings and reprimands. We are compliant with the disclosure and barring system requirements and process and will act accordingly in individual circumstances. Please contact us to discuss any past activity and we’ll be able to provide further information if we could proceed with a formal application. Thank you.

Location: 

Various locations across York. 

Location of mentoring sessions will be agreed in advance between the one-to-one volunteer mentor, their mentee and their allocated Island Mentor Supervisor.

Time Commitment: 

52 sessions at 1-3 hours per week 

• During term time, session times may vary but will mostly take place either after school, weekday early evenings up until 9pm or weekends up until 6.30pm

• Out of term time sessions can take place weekday up until 9pm or weekends up until 6.30pm

• Session dates and times will be mutually agreed in advance between the one-to-one volunteer mentor and their mentee 

• Sessions are flexible and will be tailored mutually around the one-to-one volunteer mentor’s and their mentee’s needs, including holidays, work and family commitments

Overview: 

The Island is a York-based charity that has over the last 15 years, helped children and young people between the ages of 8 and 18 overcome challenges with their mental, emotional and social wellbeing through regular recreational mentoring provisions. Over the last five years, The Island has seen an increase in children and young people being referred who require specialist mentoring support due to multiple complex needs, challenging behaviour, offending behaviour, diagnosed with a neurodivergence and poor emotional regulation. Therefore the charity are now seeking new volunteers who have lived or professional experience in one of these specific areas. Alongside their fully trained volunteer mentor, the one-to-one mentoring programme provides children and young people with the time and space they require to build positive thoughts and feelings about themselves so that they are better able to cope with future life challenges. 

About the role: 

A rewarding opportunity to support the positive development of vulnerable children and young people through mentoring in the community - 

helping them gain resilience and confidence. 

Responsibilities:

• Plan, arrange and participate in regular recreational activities with your mentee. There may be times that the mentee does not want to do sport activities, therefore a willingness to plan for this is important

• Develop an informal relationship with your mentee through dialogue, shared interests and activities

• Provide active listening, support and informed guidance. Any information that is of a serious nature must be reported to The Island immediately via the duty phone (this will be discussed in training)

• Meet and return your mentee to their home unless another agreement has been made

• Write up a short weekly mentoring session report (template will be provided) which is to be emailed to The Island

• Attend a quarterly meeting with your Mentor Supervisor to discuss how the mentoring journey is going and to raise any concerns or if you require any additional training or support

• Submit travel and mentoring receipts after each session to be reimbursed (if you require the funds in advance, let us know and we’ll get this arranged) 

Requirements:

• An Enhanced DBS check* (we will finance this for all one-to-one volunteer mentors)

• Complete The Island’s one-to-one mentor training programme 

• Reliable, punctual with good organisational and communication skills

• Able to commit to supporting a child or young person for 52 sessions, ideally one session per week (if this doesn’t work for you but you would like to discuss and alternative commitment, then let us know)

• Based in York or nearby to York

• Desirable: experience professionally or personally of working with or caring for children and young people with disabilities (including invisible disabilities), emotional dysregulation or stigmatised groups of young people.

Benefits:

• Full in-house training will be provided, so no previous experience is required (to be done face-to-face and online)

• Access to additional accredited courses (free of charge) to improve your personal and professional development opportunities 

• Regular social meet ups with The Island team and other one-to-one volunteer mentors

• Gain experience in the charity and youth sector

• Travel and mentoring session expenses covered

Inclusion and diversity:

We are committed to inclusion and diversity and welcome volunteer applications from everyone regardless of disability (visible or invisible), race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, gender identity or veteran status.

We are particularly keen to receive applications for the specialist one-to-one volunteer mentoring role from people with lived experience of a visible or invisible difference or disability and people with past experience working with young offenders.

How to apply:

Email: To apply to become a volunteer mentor through The Island's electronic application form, click here.

Email, post or hand deliver: To apply to become a One-to-One Volunteer Mentor, click here to download an application form.  

If you have any questions, then please get in touch.

Disclaimer: we can accept applications for prospective volunteer mentors with certain past convictions, cautions, final warnings and reprimands. We are compliant with the disclosure and barring system requirements and process and will act accordingly in individual circumstances. Please contact us to discuss any past activity and we’ll be able to provide further information if we could proceed with a formal application. Thank you.

Location: 

Door 84, 84 Lowther St, York YO31 7LX

Time Commitment:  

Every Wednesday and Thursday evening between 4.40pm and 7.30pm (approx)

• Takes place during term time only

• A commitment to volunteer for a minimum of 26 sessions is required (preferably one evening a week)

Overview: 

The Island is a York-based charity that has, over the last 15 years, helped children and young people between the ages of 8 and 18 overcome challenges with their mental, emotional and social wellbeing through regular recreational mentoring provisions. Young people access the groups via a referral, and the groups provides attendees with the opportunity to explore their interests and improve their skills in a safe and nurturing environment.

About the role: 

A rewarding opportunity to support the positive development of vulnerable children and young people through group mentoring activities - helping them gain resilience and confidence. 

Responsibilities:

• Assist with the planning and delivery of activities 

• To work directly with the young people in both a group and one-to-one setting

• Encourage the young people to play an active role in the activities, including getting involved yourself

• Develop and maintain positive relationships with the youth club attendees

• Provide a listening ear. Any information that is of a serious nature must be reported to the Group Lead

• Inform and educate young people on risks and challenges in taking action to overcome obstacles  

Requirements:

• An Enhanced DBS check* (we will finance this for all one-to-one volunteer mentors)

• Complete The Island’s group mentoring programme 

• Reliable, punctual with good organisational and communication skills

• Confident with boundary setting, de-escalation and behaviour management whilst demonstrating a patient, kind and caring side too.

• Able to commit to supporting the youth club for a minimum for 26 sessions, ideally one session per week (if weekly sessions don’t work for you but you would like to discuss and alternative commitment, for example, 26 sessions on a fortnightly basis then let us know)

• Based in York or nearby to York

Benefits:

• Full in-house training will be provided, so no previous experience is required (the training will be done face-to-face and online)

• Access to additional accredited courses (free of charge) to improve your personal and professional development opportunities 

• Regular social meet ups with The Island team and other one-to-one volunteer mentors

• Gain experience in the charity and youth sector

• Travel expenses covered

Inclusion and diversity:

We are committed to inclusion and diversity and welcome volunteer applications from everyone regardless of disability (visible or invisible), race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, gender identity or veteran status.

How to apply:

Email: To apply to become a Volunteer Group-based Mentor through The Island's electronic application form, click here.

Email, post or hand deliver: To apply to become a Volunteer Group-based Mentor, click here to download an application form.  

If you have any questions, then please get in touch.

*Disclaimer: we can accept applications for prospective volunteer youth support assistants with certain past convictions, cautions, final warnings and reprimands. We are compliant with the disclosure and barring system requirements and process and will act accordingly in individual circumstances. Please contact us to discuss any past activity and we’ll be able to provide further information if we could proceed with a formal application. Thank you.

Location: 

Foxwood Community Centre, Cranfield Pl, York, YO24 3HY

Time Commitment: 

Every Tuesday evening between 6.30pm and 9.30pm

• Takes place during both school term time and school holidays

• A commitment to volunteer for a minimum of 26 sessions is required

Overview: 

The Island is a York-based charity that has over the last 15 years helped children and young people between the ages of 8 and 18 overcome challenges with their mental, emotional and social wellbeing through regular recreational mentoring provisions. In 2021, The Island launched an open access youth club that provides attendees with the opportunity to explore their interests and improve their skills in a safe and nurturing environment.

About the role: 

A rewarding opportunity to support the positive development of stigmatised children and young people through community youth club provisions - helping them gain resilience and confidence. 

Responsibilities:

• Assist with the planning and delivery of activities 

• To work directly with the young people in both a group and one-to-one setting

• Encourage the young people to play an active role in the activities, including getting involved yourself

• Develop and maintain positive relationships with the youth club attendees

• Provide a listening ear. Any information that is of a serious nature must be reported to the Group Lead

• Inform and educate young people on risks and challenges in taking action to overcome obstacles 

Requirements:

• An Enhanced DBS check* (we will finance this for all one-to-one volunteer mentors)

• Complete The Island’s group mentoring programme 

• Reliable, punctual with good organisational and communication skills

• Confident with boundary setting, de-escalation and behaviour management whilst demonstrating a patient, kind and caring side too.

• Able to commit to supporting the youth club for a minimum for 26 sessions, ideally one session per week (if weekly sessions don’t work for you but you would like to discuss an alternative commitment, for example, 26 sessions on a fortnightly basis then let us know)

• Based in York or nearby to York

Benefits:

• Full in-house training will be provided, so no previous experience is required (the training will be done face-to-face and online)

• Access to additional accredited courses (free of charge) to improve your personal and professional development opportunities 

• Regular social meet ups with The Island team and other one-to-one volunteer mentors

• Gain experience in the charity and youth sector

• Travel expenses covered

Inclusion and diversity:

We are committed to inclusion and diversity and welcome volunteer applications from everyone regardless of disability (visible or invisible), race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, gender identity or veteran status.

How to apply:

Email: To apply to become a Volunteer Youth Support Assistant through The Island's electronic application form, click here.

Email, post or hand deliver: To apply to become a Volunteer Youth Support Assistant, click here to download an application form.  

If you have any questions, then please get in touch.

*Disclaimer: we can accept applications for prospective volunteer youth support assistants with certain past convictions, cautions, final warnings and reprimands. We are compliant with the disclosure and barring system requirements and process and will act accordingly in individual circumstances. Please contact us to discuss any past activity and we’ll be able to provide further information if we could proceed with a formal application. Thank you.

Title: Marketing Data Compiling Volunteer

Duration: Up to one month (average length 2 weeks) 

Location: Remote volunteering, preferably in York. 

The role:

We’re looking for a small group of marketing data compiling volunteers who can work with us to compile a list of GDPR-friendly data which we can use to generate new avenues to sustain and extend our services so that we can support greater numbers of children and young people experiencing challenges with their mental, emotional and social wellbeing 

We are looking for volunteers who can ideally commit to four hours a week to help us compile the correct data for our needs. No experience is needed as our Marketing and Media Colleague will be with you every step of the way, however we do require the following qualities:

• an interest in research and administration projects

• a passion for supporting children’s causes 

• strong IT skills, especially in compiling spreadsheets in Excel

• Can confidently work as part of a team as well as on their own

• Reliable, punctual and a great communicator

• those wanting to volunteer with a good cause but require greater flexibility or need something short term

• those looking to progress into marketing, administration or research-based roles

What will you get from this experience?

• Support with your personal development, including being taught new skills

• A portfolio of work on a wide range of topics

• Frequent check-ins with our Media and Marketing colleague 

• Experience in the charity sector during an exciting period of growth 

Ideally, we would like to work with volunteers who live in or nearby to York who have a good understanding of York.

How to apply:

If you would like to apply to be a Marketing Data Compiling Volunteer, please send your CV and a brief description as to why you would like to work with us to marketing@theislandyork.org

If you have any questions then please do not hesitate to get in touch.

We're currently looking for several Fundraisers (volunteer role) who will be able to support us at fundraising events throughout the year. 

Fundraising is vital for the work we do here at The Island as it enables us to guarantee mentoring sessions for children and young people experiencing difficuities with their mental, emotional and social wellbeing.

This fundraising role is completely flexible and you can volunteer with us as much or as little as you like. This role is a lot of fun, provides you with the opportunity to meet new people as well as allows you to give back to your community. 

How to apply:

If you would like to apply to be a volunteer fundraiser, please either download an application form or fill out our electronic application form below.

To apply to become a volunteer fundraiser, click here to download an application form.

To apply to become a volunteer fundraiser through The Island's electronic application form, click here.

If you have any questions, then please do not hesitate to get in touch. 

Volunteer Title: Content Writer 

Duration: Six months 

Location: Remote volunteering, preferably in York.

The Role:

We’re looking for a small group of volunteer content writers who can each commit to writing one article per month on a wide range of topics, including but not limited to: 

• sharing tips and advice on child-related topics
• research-based articles on children and young people
• conducting and writing up interviews with The Island staff and volunteer team plus more 

These articles will be shared on The Island’s website and occasionally, circulated with third-party publications for which you will be notified. 

Working alongside our media and marketing colleague and our small volunteer content writing team, you will assist in raising awareness of the role that The Island plays in York. 

Our Media and Marketing colleague will be in regular touch with you, with the volunteering being conducted from home (ideally York-based volunteers). Alternatively, if you would prefer to volunteer from our office one day a month, then we can get this arranged.

Due to the complex nature of the work The Island does, we would require a six-month commitment to ensure you get the most out of this experience. We also welcome assistance from those wishing to volunteer longer than the six-month commitment to further progress their own personal development.  

Who is this role ideal for?

• Those who have a passion for writing and children’s causes  
• Those wanting to volunteer with a good cause but require great flexibility
• Those looking to progress into marketing, PR or journalism roles 

What will you get from this experience?

• Support with your personal development, including being taught new skills
• A portfolio of work on a wide range of topics
• Frequent check-ins with our Media and Marketing colleague 
• Experience in the charity sector during an exciting period of growth 

Essential:

• Excellent written skills
• Interest in children’s services 
• Ability to communicate effectively with the team, whether that be via telephone or email or face to face 
• Fast learner and able to take constructive criticism well
• Strong IT skills
• Committed, reliable and punctual
• Can confidently work as part of a team as well as on their own

Desirable

• Ideally, we would like to work with volunteers who live in or nearby to York who have a strong understanding of the challenges that children and young people living in York face
• Previous experience in SEO (paid or unpaid) would be advantageous but not essential
• An understanding of how to create accessible content, however, this is something that we can teach you
• Experience in a charity setting

How to apply:

If you would like to apply to be a volunteer content writer, please either download an application form or fill out our electronic application form below.

To apply to become a volunteer content writer, click here to download an application form.

To apply to become a volunteer content writer through The Island's electronic application form, click here.

If you have any questions, then please do not hesitate to get in touch. 

Volunteer Title: Food Hamper Room Volunteer 

Duration: Weekdays between 9am and 2pm. A three month commitment is needed 

Locations: Collecting, delivering and stacking food from various stores/restaurants across York

The role: 

We are looking for volunteers who will be able to support our charity and assist with collecting food from a store and delivering it to our offices. To unpack, stack in date order the food in our hamper room. Volunteers must feel comfortable lifting heavy crates as well as working independently.

We require volunteers between 9am and 2pm (Monday to Fridays) and we need volunteers who can commit to volunteering with us at least once a week for a minimum of three months.  

What we need from you:  

• Plenty of energy and enthusiasm  
• Work on own initiative 
• To be reliable and punctual  
• Able to represent The Island charity ethos
• Comfortable with lifting food crates 

What we can offer you:  

• Induction and training offered including an online Care Certificate in Health and Safety
• The opportunity to contribute towards helping our local community 

How to apply:

If you would like to apply to be a food hamper room volunteer, please either download an application form or fill out our electronic application form below.

To apply to be a food hamper room volunteer, please click here to download an application form.

To apply to become a food hamper room volunteer through The Island's electronic application form, click here.

If you have any questions, then please do not hesitate to get in touch.