Lancashire Sport Partnership co-ordinate a Volunteer Programme that is aimed at all 16-25 year-olds volunteering in sport across Lancashire, the programme is funded by Sport England. The main focus of the programme is to support and encourage young volunteers to complete many hours of voluntary activity within a sports capacity.
These volunteers can be working in the following:
- Local Sports Club
- Local Sport Development Team
- County Sports Partnership
- Local Leisure Centre
- Local Youth Group (sports/recreation related)
- After School Club that has Direct Links to a Local Community Club
Potential Roles: Coaching/Leadership, Officiating, Administration, Events, Publicity, Website Design etc.
The scheme is not suitable for volunteers working in:
- School Based Festivals (TOP Link)
- School Sports Days
- After School Clubs with NO Community Links
- Breakfast/ Lunch Time Clubs
- Expeditions (Duke of Edinburgh)
There are three key roles within the Young Volunteers Programme: young people on the programme, mentors to support them and organisations or clubs interested in offering placements. A brief description of these roles is below:
The role of a Young Volunteer
As well as the many personal benefits of volunteering in sport for young people, we encourage young people to take part in our programme by providing them with a number of incentives and financial benefits.
All that we ask in return is that our young volunteers are self-driven, punctual and most importantly have a willingness to learn. They must also give us information on the number of volunteering hours they have completed, travel expenses and complete a Volunteer Plan alongside their mentor.
- Find out more about becoming a Young Volunteer
The role of a Mentor
Being a Mentor is an important and rewarding role in supporting the young people taking part in the programme. Mentors can either be someone based at the volunteer's placement or a tutor at college for example. A mentor's role is to guide and support their volunteer, ensuring that they are happy in their placement and all paperwork has been correctly adhered to. This includes anything from Risk Assessment and Health and Safety checks of the placement to returning Recording of Hours forms regularly to Lancashire Sport Partnership.
- Find out more about becoming a Mentor to a Young Volunteer
Becoming a Placement Provider
There are huge benefits to offering placements to our volunteers in your club or organisation. They will offer their time, skills and enthusiasm and you will be rewarded with developing the individual and watching their talent and confidence grow.
A placement provider is responsible for the safety of all volunteers who work there. The placement provider must ensure that they are adhering to current policies and procedures as they are held responsible for the volunteer whilst they working for them.
- Find out more about becoming a Placement Provider to a Young Volunteer