The Participation Team at Off The Record is looking for volunteers to join our Youth Forum on a bi-weekly basis from 4:15-7:15pm on a Thursday in central Bath.  

The Role: 

You’ll be volunteering as part of the Participation Team who offer a bi-weekly Youth Forum group where young people aged 11-18 (up to 25 with additional needs) meet to lead campaigns for positive change on local issues.  

You will be supporting the group in central Bath at the OTR office, with occasional visits/trips to other places, every other Thursday between 4:45pm and 6:45pm. We ask for a minimum commitment of 6 months for this role. 

Most recently the Youth Forum led a campaign to improve support for neurodivergent young people in schools. They are now focusing on a campaign for creating enduring youth representation and voice at a local level. They have been researching different models, meeting with local councillors to gain support, and were recently part of a workshop with the UK government’s youth parliament to learn about democratic processes and taking action. 

As a Youth Forum volunteer, you will work alongside the Participation Development Worker/Participation Lead to facilitate the group, your specific roles include: 

• Supporting the group to be youth led – helping young people to plan and chose what they would like to happen in each session, encouraging the development of their skills and promoting the voice of young people.  

• Providing a welcoming face - meet and greet all young people into the session, support a culture of participation in the session and engage in the activities planned.  

• Working inclusively – ensuring any young person who would like to participate in youth forum feels included, respected, and celebrated through our equal opportunities. 

• Maintaining a safe and professional environment – uphold professional boundaries with young people and follow our volunteer code of conduct. Contribute to end of session debriefs. 

• Following OTR Safeguarding Policies and Procedures – you will receive training on OTR’s safeguarding procedures and won’t be expected to lone work with young people as there will always be a paid member of staff with you at the sessions.  

• Abiding by all other OTR policies and procedures relevant to your role – these will be shared and discussed with you during your induction.  

Your Qualities: 

• Excellent listening and communication skills with the ability to show self-awareness and empathy towards others.  

• Sense of humour and sense of fun 

• Friendly and trustworthy with an ability to relate to a diverse range of people 

• A passion for empowering young people to make changes they want to see in their lives.  

• Committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion with an understanding of supporting and celebrating differences.  

• Reliable and committed to the time commitments set out in the section below. 

• Ability to work effectively as part of a team including offering and receiving feedback and reflections. 

• Ability to ask for help and participate in quarterly supervision/ line management 

• Mindfulness and adherence to policies and protocols of Off the Record 

• Any background in campaigns or youth work is beneficial but not a requirement. 

Time commitment  

• 3 hours every other Thursday 4:15-7.15pm. The session for young people runs from 4:45-6:45pm so allows for time before and after to set up, pack away and debrief.  

• Induction – after being appointed to the role you’ll be asked to join 1 hour induction meeting arranged between you and the member of staff who will manage and support you.  

• Mandatory training – working with young people requires training and as an organisation we expect all our volunteers to complete the required online training before starting their role.  

• Supervision – for 30 mins every quarter your line manager will check in to see how you are finding the role. It’s an opportunity for feedback and reflections from both parties.  

• Professional development - we will occasionally have opportunities for further training and workshops, these will be optional for volunteers but provided to support further development of staff and volunteers. 

• Socials – at times OTR organises socials and get togethers, it is not compulsory that volunteers attend but if you would like to meet other volunteers or staff then you are most welcome.  

To apply or to find out more, please email charlotteegmorejames@offtherecord-banes.co.uk.

This is a role which gives young people living in foster care someone to spend time with who is independent and outside of the care system. Being an IV means befriending and spending time with the young person. Doing fun activities, creating space to talk, mentoring, and sometimes advocating for the young person.

You will receive all training and support needed for the role. We are ideally looking for long-term befrienders.

This will be a 3-hour monthly commitment, for at least a year.  

Our next round of recruitment is now open, find out more on our IV page here.

If you have any questions about volunteering, please email office@offtherecord-banes.co.uk.

We are looking for a LGBTQ+ youth work volunteer to support our weekly youth group Space. Can you bring positive energy? Are you passionate about supporting local LGBTQ+ youth? Do you want to gain valuable skills and do something worthwhile?

What you can expect from OTR:

Short bi-monthly check-ins with your line manager for support and to reflect on learning, progress, practice, and development needs

Staff team are available to support volunteers during office hours Monday -Friday, but may take time to respond to non-urgent queries

Access to training through OTR, including safeguarding and LGBTQ+ awareness training

Complete DBS check

Cover expenses associated with volunteering such as bus travel or car parking

Invite to team socials, training and OTR development days

Recognition of the time given to OTR through references and certificate after 6 months.

What we expect from our volunteers:

Minimum commitment of 6 months for groups 1 year for LGBTQ+ listening support; in the event of needing to leave before this to give as much notice as possible.

Completion of all mandatory training and induction within the first 2 months.

To read and respond to emails, calls and texts in a timely manner and update us with any changes in contact details.  
Please give a minimum of 2 weeks’ notice for absence due to holidays.

If you are unwell, please inform your line manager or call the office to inform someone with as much notice as possible to ensure we can cover or cancel sessions.

Attendance at bi-monthly 20 minute check-in meetings.

Attend monthly group supervision (for Listening support volunteers).

We expect volunteers to update us with their new contact details should they change.

Email space@offtherecord-banes.co.uk for more information

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This is an ad-hoc commitment depending on when events take place - we need helpers for events such as the Bath Half, helping to person our stall and talk about OTR’s work with the public. If this sounds like something you could do, please get in touch.

Please email jamesbrown@offtherecord-banes.co.uk for more information.

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OTR is seeking up to 5 volunteer Listening Support Workers to join our existing listening support team in various locations across BANES.

·        Bath Southside - Thursday 4-7pm 

·        Bath Centre - Monday or Tuesday 3-7pm

Our Listening Support Service, for people age 10-25, provides confidential and independent information and support over a 20 minute 1-to-1 session, where Young People can talk about anything that they would like.

Young people tell us they appreciate the ease of access, confidentiality, and ability to talk about whatever they want to express without being judged. Sometimes having someone to talk to in a safe space that is free, independent, and confidential can make all the difference.

We also offer LGBTQ+ focused listening support.

Find out more about our Listening Support service via this short video: https://youtu.be/S5_Ic4uQEsc or on our website: Listening Support — Off The Record BaNES

To find out the full details of the role please click on the link for the role description here

HOW TO APPLY

 We are not accepting applications for Listening Support Volunteers at the moment. Please email office@offtherecord-banes.co.uk to be added to our mailing list for future volunteers.

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Why Volunteer?

· Make a meaningful impact in a child’s life

· Gain experience in youth work and youth participation

· Connect with OTR staff through team days and socials

· Free training

· Build new skills and confidence

· Join a friendly, passionate, values-driven team

· Opportunity for staff to act as referees for future employment or education

About the Role

We’re looking for a volunteer to support our Junior In Care Council (JICC), a group for children aged 5–11 who are looked after in the care of Bath and North East Somerset Council.

Commitment:

· Once every two months, either:

o 6-hour full-day session during school holidays

o 4-hour after-school session during term time

· Sessions usually take place Wednesdays or Thursdays at our central Bath office, with occasional local trips.

· Minimum 1-year commitment to support consistency for the young people.

At JICC, children connect with others in care, share their views to help improve the care system, try new activities, and build confidence. You will support the Participation Development Worker/Lead with delivering each session.

What You’ll Do

· Help create youth‑led sessions, supporting young people to choose activities and express their views.

· Provide a warm, welcoming presence and engage in planned activities.

· Support an inclusive and respectful environment where every child feels valued.

· Maintain professional boundaries and contribute to end‑of‑session debriefs.

· Follow OTR safeguarding policies (training provided; you will never work alone with young people).

· Adhere to all relevant OTR policies and procedures.

What We’re Looking For

· Strong listening and communication skills; empathy and self‑awareness

· Friendly, trustworthy, with a sense of fun

· Passionate about empowering young people

· Committed to EDI principles

· Reliable and comfortable working as part of a team

· Able to attend quarterly supervision

· Any youth work or play work experience is helpful but not essential

Time Commitment & Support

· Induction: 1 hour with your staff lead

· Mandatory online training before starting

· Supervision: 30-minute check-in every quarter

· Optional training workshops and social events throughout the year

How to Apply Email your completed application form to office@offtherecord-banes.co.uk. The volunteer application form can be downloaded from the OTR website.

Please be aware that as part of safe recruitment, all volunteers must complete an Enhanced DBS check (paid for by OTR) and provide two references

International students and non‑UK citizens will instead need an Overseas Police Check (reimbursed by OTR). Please note these can take time and may require being in your home country to complete.

Interviews are held on a rolling basis—we’d love to hear from you!