Volunteer

Volunteering with us is an incredible way of supporting young people’s mental health.

It’s proven to be good for you too!

If you are based in the St Albans District, have a few hours to spare and have a skill to share, why not consider volunteering for Youth Talk? Volunteering is a fantastic way to meet new people, learn something new, develop your skills and make a real difference.

Ways you can help:

There are lots of ways to volunteer with Youth Talk. Every role helps us reach more young people and raise the funds needed to keep our free counselling service going. You can choose the type of support that feels right for you and fits around your life.

Community Champions

Community Champions are supporters who help raise awareness and funds for Youth Talk in their own communities. They speak positively about our work, help us reach new people and encourage others to get involved. Champions choose how they support us, whether that is hosting a small fundraising event, organising their own challenge, introducing us to new supporters or helping spread the word about Youth Talk.

Event Helpers

Event Helpers support us at in person events across the St Albans District. This is an ad hoc role that fits around your availability. Events range from school open days and small business gatherings to community festivals and local sports games. You might help with set up, greeting visitors, handing out materials or supporting simple fundraising activities. You will always be briefed and supported by our team.

Ad Hoc Volunteers

Ad Hoc Volunteers help with small, practical tasks that pop up through the year. These are usually flexible and ideal for people with limited or irregular time. Typical tasks include posting flyers, moving equipment between locations or helping with simple office or admin work. We share requests through a WhatsApp group and you can respond when you are free.

Specialised Skills Volunteers

Specialist Skills Volunteers are professionals who share expertise that our small team does not have in house. This might suit people who can offer a few hours each month. At the moment, we welcome support in areas such as graphic design, will writing, AI automation and Google Analytics reporting. Our capacity varies, but we always appreciate hearing from people who want to use their skills to help young people in our community.

Click here to fill in our volunteer application form

Why not join our Youth Panel?

If you are between 13 and 25 years old and interested in joining our Youth Panel then please email info@youthtalk.org.uk for more information.

Due to the nature of our work and the importance of safeguarding our young people, we do not allow volunteers to work directly with service-users.

This also means that we are unable to support trainee/volunteer counsellors or offer work placements. We only employ counsellors who are fully qualified and BACP accredited.

OUR VOLUNTEERS

Our Schools Ambassador

Hear from our Schools Ambassador, Rebecca about what she likes about her role.

“I am thrilled to be the charity’s new Schools Ambassador tasked with championing their work across local secondary schools, sixth forms and colleges. Having left teaching last year, I found myself with some spare time and was very keen to find an opportunity to give something back to help young people in the local community. Working in secondary schools, I was aware of the challenges that our young people face and have always been passionate about supporting them as they navigate life. In my new role, I am looking to raise awareness of Youth Talk’s counselling services and the importance of mental health support through engagement with students, staff and parents. This is a very fulfilling role personally and it feels great being part of the Youth Talk team and supporting their amazing work“

Our Youth Panel

Hear from our Youth Panel about why they wanted to get involved.

“Over the past few years, I have witnessed lots of my friends suffering with their mental health and have noticed how much their struggles have directly impacted others around them, including myself. I feel that the panel members need to understand how much suffering with mental health can impact lives.”

“I wanted to be a part of the growth of a community that cares for people like me and many others. I felt like I would be able to contribute the ideas of my peers or people going through similar things to me, so that they can get the help they need.”

“I wanted to join the youth panel as I know a lot of people that would benefit significantly from a service like this, and I am passionate about helping them and many others.”

Read our Youth Panel Showcase

Our Events Volunteers

Hear from some of our events helpers about why they like volunteering for Youth Talk.

“I really enjoy volunteering for Youth Talk and raising awareness for this great charity. It is fun and fulfilling!”
Ed

“Volunteering for charities like Youth Talk is so important in helping those that need guidance in navigating life in the 21st century. As Youth Talk is a local charity you feel as a volunteer you are making a real difference in helping people in the area you live in. What’s more you can see the actual benefit of that help in the number of young people receiving counselling via Youth Talk, which is very rewarding.”
Steve

Our Trustees

Hear from one of our trustees about why they think volunteering is important

“Volunteering helps me as well the beneficiaries of the charity. It provides me with a sense of purpose and it’s rewarding.

I was particularly keen to join Youth Talk because it provides a vital and unique specialist service for young people. It provides counselling to those who self-refer and who can then go on to live happier lives.

Being able to give something back after being involved with young people throughout my career is very satisfying to me. I feel part of a caring community who all want to do their bit to help”.
Gaynor

Youth Talk Awarded Accreditation for Volunteer Management

We are delighted to have been awarded the Communities 1st, Six-Point Promise accreditation for our volunteer management. This external endorsement is a really exciting step forward for us as we look forward to welcoming more volunteers to help us achieve our growth ambitions.