Volunteer at The Trust

To apply for this role: Follow this vacancy link only: CLICK HERE TO APPLY Birmingham Children’s Trust is looking for dedicated and compassionate volunteers to support children and young people in care and care leavers. Many of our young people simply need a reliable person they can trust — someone who will be there for them consistently and without judgement. Through a range of programmes, you can make a genuine difference:Independent Visitors – Befriending Service (Ages 8–17)Independent Visitors (IVs) are matched with children in care to offer friendship, consistency, and fun experiences. Many have little or no contact with their birth families. You’ll visit regularly and enjoy activities together — such as going to the park, cinema, theatre, bowling, or exploring new hobbies — building trust, confidence, and a sense of stability. Develop Me Mentoring Programme (Ages 16–25)Develop Me matches mentors with young people in care and care leavers to help them set and achieve personal goals, explore education or work opportunities, and build life skills. You’ll offer encouragement, promote wellbeing, and provide a safe space to talk, helping them grow in confidence and independence. Next Step – Befriending Service (Ages 16–25) Next Step supports care experienced young people who may be socially isolated. Volunteers offer friendship, companionship, and opportunities to socialise. You’ll help them build connections, improve wellbeing, and learn practical skills such as cooking, budgeting, and preparing for work, alongside creative and fitness activities to boost confidence. As a volunteer, you will be a positive, consistent presence in a young person’s life, offering encouragement, guidance, and a safe space to talk. Whether through befriending, mentoring, or shared activities, your support can help them grow in confidence and feel more connected.You might:

• Spend regular quality time together, building trust and rapport.
• Encourage them to try new activities and experiences.
• Support their personal goals, whether in education, work, hobbies, or wellbeing
• Help develop essential life and social skills.
• Provide a listening ear during challenges or changes.
• Signpost to useful opportunities, services, and resources.
• Celebrate their achievements, big or small.

Time commitment: We ask for 1–2 hours per week and a minimum commitment of 12 months to provide stability and consistency for the young person you support. What We’re Looking For We need people who are:

• Reliable, trustworthy and approachable
• Able to listen without judgement
• Skilled at building rapport with young people
• Passionate about supporting children and young adults to reach their potential

What We Offer

• Free DBS check provided
• Full training in mentoring, befriending, safeguarding, communication skills, relationship building and coaching.
• Opportunities to attend events and activities with young people.
• Ongoing support from our team.
• The chance to make a genuine, lasting difference in a young person’s life

Additional InformationInterviews: Rolling, August – December 2025Closing date: Rolling – please apply early, as opportunities may close once enough applications are received Your time and support could change a young person’s life – and you might find it changes yours too. Please click the link at the top of this advert for more information about the different volunteer opportunities available with the Trust:

Help us to change children and young people’s lives!

At Birmingham Children’s Trust, we are committed to making a positive impact on the lives of over 10,000 children and young people in our city every day. Our mission is to support the most disadvantaged children and young people in Birmingham, ensuring they are safe, happy, and healthy.

Why Join Us?

• Impactful Work - be part of a team that makes a real difference in the lives of the city’s most vulnerable children.
• Supportive Environment - enjoy a supportive and collaborative work culture where your contributions are valued.
• Career Development - benefit from tailored development programs, supportive supervision, and a range of learning opportunities to enhance your skills and advance your career.
• Generous Benefits - take advantage of our competitive reward package including generous leave allowance, Local Government pension scheme, and additional benefits.

Our Values

We approach our work with care and compassion, actively listening to the needs of the children and young people we serve. We involve them in the decisions that affect their lives, ensuring their voices are heard and respected.

We are committed to using our resources wisely, ensuring that every penny is spent where it counts the most. We foster collaboration among schools, health professionals, and the police, working together to create a supportive network for our young people.

We believe that when we work as one cohesive team, the children and young people of Birmingham are more likely to thrive. Our unified approach ensures that we provide the best possible support and opportunities for their growth and development.

Join us and together, we can create a brighter future for all.

Safeguarding

At Birmingham Children’s Trust, we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

Depending on the role, you may be asked to undergo the appropriate level of Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check to assess your suitability for working with children and young people.

The level of check (Standard, Enhanced, or Enhanced with Barred List) is determined based on the specific responsibilities of the role and the level of contact with children and young people.

We are committed to the fair treatment of all applicants, including those with criminal records. Having a criminal record will not necessarily bar an individual from working with us. This will depend on the nature of the position and the circumstances and background of the offence.

Please note that we reserve the right to close the job early should we reach the required number of applications, therefore please ensure you submit your application and supporting statement early to avoid any disappointment.