Volunteer Application Pack

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Mahdlo The Oldham Youth Zone. We are looking for a range of people to volunteer in a variety of roles with the Youth Zone. If you need any help or more information please get in touch T: E: Vicky Volunteer & Training Coordinator 07896744666 vicky.richardson@mahdloyz.org

To enable you to become an active volunteer as soon as possible, please complete and return your application form within two weeks. You will then be invited to meet with me and to complete a CRB disclosure form. We look forward to receiving your application very soon.

Be part of something AMAZING:

MADHLO is a purpose built state of the art youth facility. It is open 7 days per week, 52 weeks of the year. The Youth Zone serves all the young people of Oldham and the surrounding areas, regardless of which school they go to or where they live. The Youth Zone facility provides a world-class, safe and exciting environment for young people to access a huge range of positive, constructive and developmental activities, at an affordable nominal entry fee of just 50p.

Why Volunteer?
Volunteering is a great opportunity to meet new friends who share similar interests to you. Volunteering is a fantastic way to learn new skills and gain valuable work experience By volunteering at the Youth Zone you are also giving something back to your community by creating positive opportunities for young people VOLUNTEERING IS FUN! You will have a great time by being part of something amazing that really helps young people

Opportunities at MAHDLO: Volunteer Youth Worker:

Youth workers create the environment for young people to socialise, join in fun activities, access advice, information and personal development opportunities. Regular sessions include senior club, junior club, girls only and outreach along with issue based and topical projects when needed.

Volunteer Sports Leader:

Sport is a corner stone of any effective Youth Zone as it creates the support systems young people commonly seek such as belonging, loyalty, identity and shared purpose, leadership and defined structure. Whether its for fun or development young people can participate in sports such as Football, Basketball, Netball, Badminton, Climbing and Outdoor Adventure.

Volunteer Arts leader:

The Youth Zone offers a diverse and stimulating blend of art based activities that allow young people the space and time to express their creative talents in a safe and nurturing environment. Whether you have a talent in a certain aspect of the arts or just want to develop new skills, your enthusiasm for the arts will enable young people to participate in sessions such as Music, Dance, Drama, Design and Crafts.

Volunteer Mentor (starting later in 2012):

Mentoring provides young people with one-to-one support that helps them to improve their confidence, self esteem and coping skills; engage with education and employment and increase their ability to form successful relationships. Mentors meet their mentee for an hour a week and also attend a monthly social event with all the other mentors and young people.

Behind the scenes:

Well also be looking for people with a range of talents who could help us with administration, maintenance, van driving, working in the caf and tuck shopif youve got a skill or are looking for experience in these areas wed love to hear from you!

Training:
The training for staff working with young people consists of a 6 session Essential Skills Programme PLUS additional training in the area you are interested in. Working with young people what is youth work and where/how is it delivered Getting your message across how to communication with young people Safe Working Practice boundaries, risk assessments, health and safety,

 Safeguarding Child protection, confidentiality and disclosure Equality, diversity and inclusion understanding issues affecting young people Team Work how to build and work as part of a team
If you wish to become a Mentor you will be invited to attend the Mentor Development Programme

Time commitment:
We ask all our volunteers to commit to one session per week for a minimum of 6 months (12 months for mentors) This allows us to effectively plan our work with young people and ensures they have the continuity and stability they deserve.

What next? Getting started:

Choose an opportunity that interests you Fill in the application form and return it to us

Then we will:
Invite you to a short interview Fill in a CRB Disclosure Form Send for your references Book you on our training programme

Volunteer Application Form

Tell us who you are and how to get in touch with you Name: Address: Post Code: Home Phone: Email : Which volunteer roles are you interested in? Youth Work Arts Sport Mentoring Other Mobile:

Please tell us about any work, volunteering, personal experience or skills that you have that are relevant to the role you are interested in

Do you have a hobby or passion that you might be able to share with an interested young person (collecting, bike maintenance, dance, nail art, patchwork etc)

What do you hope to gain from volunteering at the Youth Zone?

Do you have a criminal record?

Yes

No

This would not necessarily prevent you from becoming a volunteer. We are required to submit an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau check and will complete the forms with you during your initial interview

Do you hold a current driving licence? Are you currently a student? Are you currently employed?

Yes Yes Yes

No No No

Are you between the age of 16 and 18

Yes

No

Availability When would you like to volunteer (Evenings during the week/weekends)?

References Please supply details of 2 people who know you well enough to comment about your suitability for this role. They should not be family members. If you are not sure about who to put we are happy to discuss this with you Referee 1 Name: Address: Email: Phone: How does this person know you? Referee 2 Name: Address: Email: Phone: How does this person know you? Do you have any particular needs that we should be aware of so as to best support your volunteering with us?

How did you hear about us?

Please return the completed from to: Voluntary Action Oldham, 12 Manchester Chambers, Oldham, OL1 1LF Or email it us to: vicky.richardson@mahdloyz.org

Policy Statement of the Recruitment of Ex Offenders

As an organisation using the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Disclosure service to assess applicants suitability for positions of trust, The Youth Zone complies fully with the CRB code of practice and undertakes to treat all applicants for positions fairly. It undertakes not to discriminate unfairly against any subject of a disclosure on the basis of conviction or other information revealed. The Youth Zone is committed to the fair treatment of its staff, potential staff or users of its services, regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, responsibilities for dependants, age, physical/mental disability or offending background. We actively promote equality of opportunity for all with the right mix of talent, skill and potential and welcome applications from a wide range of candidates, including those with criminal records. We select all candidates for interview based on their skills, qualifications, and experience. A disclosure is only requested after a thorough risk assessment has indicated that one is both proportionate and relevant to the position concerned. For those positions where a disclosure is required, all application forms, job adverts and recruitment briefs will contain a statement that a disclosure will be requested in the event of the individual being offered the position. Where a disclosure is to form part of the recruitment process, we encourage all applicants called for interview to provide details of their criminal record at an early stage in the application process. We request that this information is sent under separate, confidential cover to a designated person within the Youth Zone and we guarantee that this information is only seen by those who need to see it as part of the recruitment process. Unless the nature of the process allows The Youth Zone to ask questions about your entire criminal record we only ask about unspent convictions as defined in the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. We ensure that all those in the Youth Zone who are involved in the recruitment process have been suitably trained to identify and assess the relevance and circumstances of offences. We also ensure that they have received appropriate guidance and training in the relevant legislation relating to the employment of ex offenders, e.g. the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. At interview, or in a separate discussion, we ensure that an open and measure discussion takes place of the subject of any offences or other matter that might be relevant to the position. Failure to reveal information that is directly relevant to the position sought could lead to withdrawal of an offer of employment or volunteering opportunity. We make every subject of a CRB disclosure aware of the existence of the CRB code of practice and make a copy available on request. We undertake to discuss any matter revealed in a disclosure with the person seeking the position before withdrawing a conditional offer of employment or volunteering opportunity. Having a criminal record will not necessarily bar you form working with us. This will depend on the nature of the position and the circumstances and background of the offences.