The Prince’s Trust

The Prince’s Trust is the UK’s leading youth charity offering 14-30 year olds opportunities to develop confidence, learn new skills, get into work and start businesses. The Prince’s Trust targets those not in education, employment or training; young offenders; and those in or leaving care.

Last year The Prince’s Trustsupported more than 40,000 young people. More than 26,000 of these we had not helped before and almost 14,000 were existing clients. It could not achieve these results without the support of its volunteers.

More detailed information on our programmes can be found on our website (

What is a volunteer coordinator?

Coordinatorswork closely with the volunteer management team to support and manage up to 40 volunteer mentors through regular contact, reviews and network meetings to share best practice, resources and experiences. This is direct support to the front-line work we do with our young people. You will provide information, encouragement, a sounding-board and structure whilst maintaining accurate records.

The mentors you will coordinate provide individual support, encouragement and inspiration to young people during and following our programmes with the aim of them entering education, training, employment or a relevant volunteering role. Over 6 months mentors encourage and assist a young person to identify, plan and take steps towards achieving their personal goals, however they also understand that “getting a job” does not exist in a vacuum and young people often have to face housing, benefits and other issues.

Volunteer coordinators help to keep The Prince’s Trust running smoothly; you need to be friendly and proactive with a passion for making a difference, but also fair and assertive. You will be the first point of contact for your volunteers and are responsible for instigating contacts by phone, email and face-to-faceto keep them up-to-date and engaged. Coordinators ensurethe return of volunteer reports, maintain up-to-date records, provide support, complete appraisals and may be part of volunteer interview panels.

How being an office volunteer can benefit Clients

  • Helps The Prince’s Trust run more effectively
  • Provides motivation and support to those volunteers who work in the community helping them feel valued, informed and engaged and thus better able to support our clients

How being a volunteer coordinator can benefit you

This role will give you an opportunity to:

  • Take on a new challenge and to meet new people
  • Help The Prince’s Trust run more smoothly and make a difference to our support of young people
  • Develop leadership and people skills and see your help and support reach real people
  • Develop in areas such as: communication; networking; influencing; working with others; relationships; understanding community issues

Anticipated role duration and time commitment

  • Minimum 2 year commitment required
  • Minimum2 days per week with some flexibility around home working & exact hours especially during school holidays

Reporting requirements

  • Responsible to a member ofPrince’s Trust staff
  • Confirm in writing, that you have read and will adhere to the relevant policies and procedures of The Prince’s Trust
  • Understand and adhere to the volunteer management requirements of The Prince’s Trust for this role

Key tasks and responsibilities

  • Attend initial 2day training (note, days not consecutive)
  • Attend ongoing training as required by The Trust
  • Understand and adhere to the policies and procedures of The Prince’s Trust
  • Maintain contact with your Prince’s Trust contact and complete all reporting and administrative requirements
  • Keep up-to-dateThe Trust’s management information system (TrustonTrack) with mentor reports, volunteer notes and reviews following the Trust’s processes
  • Proactively respond to volunteer issues in a positive manner
  • Provide encouragement and support; sustain volunteers’ motivation
  • Complete reviews with both mentors and clients
  • Mentor a client directly
  • Represent volunteers to The Trust’s staff team
  • Represent The Trust and it’s policies to volunteers

Person specification

Essential

  • Youth/social work experience orwillingness to concurrently (within the same time commitment) mentor a client for the 1st 6 months in order to develop better understanding of volunteers’ needs
  • Good basic computer skills
  • Ability to analyse and understand issues affecting young people and volunteers
  • Ability to relate to and empathise with young people and their aspirations
  • Reliable and able to commit as outlined above
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, approachable, self-aware; some experience of managing and supporting others
  • Positive role model. Ability to represent the needs and ways of The Trust
  • Able to work as part of a team
  • Proactive
  • Able to effectively and efficiently complete tasks
  • Ability to be supportive and encouraging. Enthusiastic.

Desirable

  • Knowledge of organisations/resources supporting common issues such as homelessness, unemployment, benefit problems, debt, poor basic skills, etc
  • Capacity for self development, open to learning
  • Experience of volunteering with The Prince’s Trust.

Training

All of these arrangements are binding in honour only and are not intended to be legally binding

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