Young Achievers Volunteer

What will you be doing?

Our weekly Young Achievers (YAs) programme aims to provide children and young people who have Down Syndrome with friendship, fun and positivity. 

The group gives them the opportunity to participate in games and activities designed to help them develop teamwork, social skills and other practical skills for life. The group also offers the chance for participants to be active and to have improved wellbeing.

DS Achieve is looking to recruit volunteers to support the Youth Group Leader and Assistant Leader to run our Young Achievers programme.  

Our ideal candidate has experience of working with children with SEND and working as part of a team to support activities suitable for a range of ages.

Duties will include, but not be limited to, the following:

• work directly with children and young people
• look to remove barriers in accessing the activities so every child can take part, taking account of their individual needs
• carry out tasks to help the staff run the activities
• use your initiative to get tasks done and strive at all times to be a positive role model to each individual
• communicate effectively with parents/carers when required and provide them with refreshments
• be able to follow policies and procedures around confidentiality, data protection, safeguarding and Health & Safety requirements (Incl. risk assessments)

What are we looking for?

Requirements for this opportunity:

• Experience of working with children
• Experience of working within a team
• A sense of adventure and a willingness to try new things
• Patience, tolerance and flexibility
• Good numeracy and literacy skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills - friendly and welcoming, good listener, clear communicator, good facilitator, happy to ‘pitch in’ - with the ability to establish good relationships with children and young people

Desirable, but not essential:

• First Aid trained
• Experience of working with children with Down Syndrome and their families

Children with Down Syndrome have a learning disability and so may struggle to communicate verbally, so any knowledge of Makaton sign language would be hugely beneficial.

Please note that successful candidates will be subject to reference checks prior to appointment.

What difference will you make?

You will be part of an amazing team that aspire to enable children with Down Syndrome to develop their social skills and life skills. Your help and expertise will enable children to build the confidence to establish friendships with their peers in a safe and inclusive manner.  

Before you apply

If you are interested in this opportunity, we would love to hear from you. Register your interest via Reach and we will get in contact with you thereafter.