Who are young adult volunteers?

Young people over the age of eighteen who have attended your youth service/organisation and are now interested in taking on a leadership role, or there may be young people in your community who want to get involved in a volunteering capacity.

 

Why would young people volunteer?

There are lots of benefits for young people:

  • Learn and develop new skills
  • Gain experience for their future employment
  • Give back to an organisation that has previously offered them support
  • Help their local community
  • Better understand their community and take an active part in shaping what’s happening locally.

 

Recruitment of Young Adult Volunteers

  • Young people may not recognise that they have something to offer and don’t always consider volunteering unless directly approached and asked
  • Consideration should be given as to how to actively engage with a diverse range of young volunteers who reflect their community
  • Leadership training should be provided, which explores the leadership role, and the associated responsibilities should be clearly outlined
  • Child safeguarding and child protection awareness training should be provided and clarity of boundaries and relationships between young leaders and young people/participants should be emphasised.
  • Safe recruitment steps should be followed, including interviews, references, and Garda Vetting where required.

 

Retention of Young Adult Volunteers

  • Organisations need to be flexible and understand that young people may have many other commitments and recognise that their availability may be limited.
  • Young Volunteers’ roles and responsibilities should be, suitably appropriate, respectful, challenging, interesting and fulfilling.
  • Any out of pocket expenses or costs should be considered and covered by the organisation so that the young person is not financially impacted by volunteering.

 

Useful Resource:
Leadership for Life in Schools | Foroige

Gaisce, the President’s Award is Ireland’s national youth award and is a personal development programme for young people aged 14-25. For volunteering opportunities check out Gaisce.