Volunteer Trust

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We at Birmingham Children’s Trust are looking for dedicated and compassionate volunteers to support children and young people in care and care leavers. Many of our young people simply need a reliable person they can trust – someone who will be there for them consistently and without judgement.

• Independent Visitors – Befriending Service (Ages 8‑17):
  Match a visitor with a child in care, offering friendship, consistency and fun experiences such as park visits, cinema, theatre, bowling or exploring new hobbies.
• Develop Me – Mentoring Programme (Ages 16‑25):
  Match mentors with young people in care and care leavers to help them set and achieve personal goals, explore education or work opportunities and build life skills.
• Next Step – Befriending Service (Ages 16‑25):
  Support care‑experienced young people who may be socially isolated, helping them build connections, improve wellbeing and learn practical skills such as cooking, budgeting and preparing for work.

• Spend regular quality time together, building trust and rapport.
• Encourage them to try new activities and experiences.
• Support their personal goals—whether in education, work, hobbies or wellbeing.
• Help develop essential life and social skills.
• Provide a listening ear during challenges or changes.
• Signpost to useful opportunities, services and resources.
• Celebrate their achievements, big or small.

We ask for 1‑2 hours per week and a minimum commitment of 12 months to provide stability and consistency for the young person you support.

• Reliable, trustworthy and approachable.
• Able to listen without judgement.
• Skilled at building rapport with young people.
• Passionate about supporting children and young adults to reach their potential.

• Free DBS check provided.
• Full training in mentoring, befriending, safeguarding, communication skills, relationship building and coaching.
• Opportunities to attend events and activities with young people.
• Ongoing support from our team.
• The chance to make a genuine, lasting difference in a young person’s life.

• Interviews
  :
  Rolling, August – December 2025.
• Closing date
  :
  Rolling – please apply early, as opportunities may close once enough applications are received.

• Impactful Work – be part of a team that makes a real difference in the lives of the city’s most vulnerable children.
• Supportive Environment – enjoy a supportive and collaborative culture where your contributions are valued.
• Career Development – benefit from tailored development programmes, supportive supervision and a range of learning opportunities to enhance your skills.
• Generous Benefits – our competitive reward package includes a generous leave allowance, local government pension scheme and additional benefits.

We approach our work with care and compassion, actively listening to the needs of the children and young people we serve. We involve them in the decisions that affect their lives, ensuring their voices are heard and respected.

We are committed to using our resources wisely, ensuring that every penny is spent where it counts the most. We foster collaboration among schools, health professionals and the police, working together to create a supportive network for our young people.

We believe that when we work as one cohesive team, the children and young people of Birmingham are more likely to thrive. Our unified approach ensures that we provide the best possible support and opportunities for their growth and development.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Depending on the role, you may be asked to undergo the appropriate level of Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check to assess your suitability for working with them. The level of check (Standard, Enhanced or Enhanced with Barred List) is determined based on the specific responsibilities of the role and the level of contact with children and young people.

We are committed to the fair treatment of all applicants, including those with criminal records. Having a criminal record will not necessarily bar an individual from working with us; this will depend on the nature of the position and the circumstances and background of the offence.

Please note that we reserve the right to close the job early if we reach the required number of applications, so please submit your application and supporting statement early to avoid disappointment.