Walk & Talk Volunteer

YoMo - Young Movers
VO103188

Walk & Talk is a one-on-one wellbeing service for young people aged 12-25 that have been referred to the service having been identified as requiring additional support with their mental health and wellbeing. As a volunteer you will meet with a young person in their local area in a social outdoor space such as a park, or similar, on a weekly basis.
As well as Walk & Talk being a space where young people can express how they are feeling/coping, it is a chance for volunteers/staff to offer support and guidance to encourage the young people to progress towards their aspirations and goals.

Our objective is to match each volunteer with one young person to meet consistently, with the aim that over time a trusting relationship may be formed between young person and volunteer and you may become someone a young person can confide in.

As a volunteer there is plenty that you can get out the experience. Many of our volunteers are looking to gain experience in a mental health or wellbeing field or experience more generally working with children and young people. Walk & Talk is a great way to gain experience in this area and we will provide a reference for any volunteer who commits to more than a 6 month period.

Being a Walk & Talk volunteer is a great way to gain skills and confidence leading conversations with young people which at times may be challenging, it is a great way to build you communication and active listening skills. As a volunteer you need to be reliable as well which helps to improve time management skills. The volunteer role is great experience for anyone wishing to get into the mental health and wellbeing field or youth work more generally.

Volunteers only need to commit to one hour a week maximum, with monthly voluntary volunteer catch ups if you wish to attend. These catch ups are a chance for you to meet with other volunteers, share successes and challenges, and receive ongoing training.

Although our office is based in Easterhouse, the meetings can take place all over Glasgow City so we will find a location that works for you to meet with a young person, with as little or as much travel as you are able and willing to do.

The volunteering will be on a 1:1 capacity however we arrange regular catch up meetings which all our volunteers are welcome to attend so you can get to know other Walk & Talk volunteers and share experiences and learn from each other.

As you will be meeting with the young person 1:1 you will be given all the training you need to feel confident in delivering the service. Initially this will include induction training to the service and child protection training.
You will be supported by the programme coordinator who will be available for catch ups as and when you need them.

Minimum age: 18
All Walk & Talk volunteers will be required to get a PVG check. This will be done by YoMo free of charge to the volunteers.

If you're interested, please click the ‘apply’ button below (available when logged in and registered). You will then be contacted by the coordinator by email or phone call. If you have not heard back after 5 working days, the first step is to contact the organisation with the contact details provided. You could also check your junk/spam folder on your emails just in case the response is there. If that doesn’t work out then please feel free to contact Volunteer Glasgow on info@volunteerglasgow.org.

Experience required

You don't need any previous experience working with young people, just a positive, friendly attitude!
You must have excellent interpersonal skills and be confident leading a 1:1 conversation that at times may include sensitive topics.

Travel details

Travel expenses

Volunteers will need to provide their own transport to the meetings, where required travel expenses will be covered. However, volunteers are not expected to travel any further than they wish. The ability and willingness to travel within Glasgow for the role is entirely up to the volunteer.

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