Youth Development Lead

Reach Out is a mentoring and youth development charity. Through collective mentoring and engaging activities, we build socio‑emotional skills that transform outcomes for 9‑14 year olds.

Within this bracket, we further focus our efforts on helping young people constrained by circumstance. Our programme delivery is informed by an evidence‑based curriculum and delivered through collective mentoring from trained practitioners and volunteer mentors.

If you’d like to volunteer as a mentor, and help young people to grow in confidence and develop key skills, you’re in the right place.

As a volunteer mentor, you’ll be supporting young people in your local community, helping them grow in confidence and develop key socio‑emotional skills, all whilst developing your own skills and experience.

• You’ll give two hours a week during term time to come to a Reach Out project in your area.
• Our mentors work with the same group over the 12‑week programme which means you’ll really get to know the mentees and other mentors.
• You’ll take part in our evidence‑based curriculum made up of fun activities and reflection opportunities to support young people to build their skills and confidence.
• You’ll be supported every week by your Youth Development Lead who facilitates the session for the whole group.

At Reach Out, we work with young people constrained by circumstance who need some additional support to reach and be confident in their potential.

By becoming a volunteer mentor, you’ll be providing an additional role model to a brilliant young person, helping them to develop the socio‑emotional skills that are key indicators of success at school and happiness in life.

Every year, we see the enormous impact that mentoring has on the young people we work with. Take a look at our video to hear from the young people themselves about what it means to them.

"My mentor helped me a lot because when I tried to say something I couldn’t express it, but he told me that I could try and keep trying, even if I get it wrong, so that I can express myself better."

Mentoring doesn’t just impact the young people who take part in our projects – it has a hugely beneficial impact on our mentors as well.

• See a long‑term impact by dedicating two hours per week to your mentee for at least one academic year.
• Volunteer alongside like‑minded people and have the opportunity to form lifelong friendships.
• Feel part of your community by making a difference in your local area.
• Develop your skills. Former mentors have told us that volunteering really helped to build their confidence, communication and team‑working abilities.
• Come away with scenarios and situations where you will have used your commitment and resilience, which can be perfect for bringing up in job applications and interviews.

All of our sessions run for 2 hours after school over 12 weeks, with young people taking part in an age‑appropriate, evidence‑based curriculum across our three programmes.

Each project is led by one of our experienced Youth Development Leads and supported by a dedicated team of trained volunteer mentors – and that’s where you come in!

Reach Out Roots for Year 5 & 6

Our Roots programme focuses on helping young people prepare for the transition into secondary school with confidence. Sessions build the foundations for socio‑emotional skills development through active learning and reflection. It’s a fun, safe space where mentees build relationships with role models while taking the first steps for long‑term success.

Reach Out Rise for Year 7 & 8

Reach Out Rise supports young people as they navigate the early years of secondary school, helping them adapt to new challenges and opportunities. The programme focuses on building resilience, strengthening relationships, and exploring identity. Sessions encourage mentees to reflect on their values, set achievable goals, and stay motivated as they progress through school.

Reach Out Ready for Year 9

Reach Out Ready is our leadership‑focused programme for older mentees. Over the course of…