Employer-supported volunteering with Dudley Youth Offending Service
Employers can get involved in supporting the Youth Justice System. They can do this by either encouraging or helping their staff to volunteer, or by offering the services of their organisation. For example, in youth justice, businesses could provide opportunities for reparation work by young people who have offended.
Programmes, known as employer-supported volunteering, are being set up to help businesses and public sector organisations to support voluntary work by their employees, during work hours or in their own time.
We are particularly interested in speaking to people who have carpentry skills, experience in refurbishing pedal cycles, horticultural or gardening experience and conservation work.
Who can volunteer and why?
Volunteering in the youth justice system is rewarding and worthwhile, enabling you to really make a difference to the lives of young people who have offended, or are at risk of doing so.
There are opportunities for people of all ages and with a variety of skills, so if you think you have what it takes, contact Dudley Youth Offending Service now … and get involved!
Volunteering overview
Volunteering provides you with the opportunity to do something useful for your local community. You won’t get paid (apart from pre-agreed expenses) but you will feel the satisfaction of time and effort well spent. You will also meet new people, learn new skills and gain useful experience.
What should I expect when I volunteer?
When you volunteer with Dudley Youth Offending Service you should expect the following:
- To receive training.
- To complete a criminal records check – you will need to disclose any previous convictions or investigations by the police (Disclosure and Barring Service).
- To receive reasonable expenses to get to and from your volunteering activity.
- To receive information and training about health and safety.
Interactive learning and support
We support volunteers to develop skills and to this end the Youth Justice Board have created an online learning resource called the Youth Justice Interactive Learning Space, or YJILS for short.
YJILS contains a wealth of information in a flexible format. There are learning programmes relating to assessment and interventions, and explanations about the youth justice system including legal issues, and links to other useful websites.
Who should I contact if I’m interested?
Manley Gordon
Reparation & Volunteer Co-ordinator
Dudley MBC, Youth Offending Service
8 Parsons Street Dudley DY1 1JJ
Office: 01384 813060
Ext 3997
Mobile: 07971335079
Manley.gordon@dudley.gov.uk