Building on the success of last years summer programmes and residential activities our ambitions are as big and as bold, if not bigger and bolder than last year! Plans are coming together.....
YHA Residential Activity
This year we have 3 YHA locations offering 580 places for children and young people with a parent Serving in the Armed Forces. Outdoor adventurous activities are fantastic for both young people and those who volunteer to work with them. There is a lot of fun for everyone. They are also a great way to engage children and young people and understand their lived experiences as part of the Armed Forces community.
YHA staff provide all the activity leadership and supervision. Our staff team provide the support to young people throughout the week.
The residential weeks are Mon - Friday, with 4 nights away. You arrive at the centre on Monday afternoon and depart Friday lunchtime.
Would you like to volunteer?
All the residential weeks are staffed by AWS Community Support staff and supported by volunteers. We have a few volunteer vacancies and these are open to all. You will require a Disclosure & Barring Service* check and we will provide basic safeguarding training and basic youth work training 'virtually' before the residential activities take place this summer.
*If you hold a current MOD D&BS these are accepted.
Civil Service colleagues are able to utilise their volunteer days - Volunteering Guidance (sharepoint.com)
What would I do?
You will be assigned a group of young people to support throughout the week. You will make sure you know where they are and what they are up to, that they know what kit to have on for activities, where to meet and that they turn up for meal times. You will also supervise the group getting to bed and lights out! You will also provide a safe adult to chat to about any worries or perhaps a bit of homesickness.
You will also head out on the activities with your group and you can take part if you wish! Or watch over the group while they do an activity with the YHA staff and look after a pile of day sacks, coats and snacks!
You will be part of the whole staff team for the week and have more experienced staff on hand to offer guidance if you need it.
I would like to volunteer but when and where?
4 x volunteers needed - week beginning 25 July - St Briavels Castle YHA St Briavels Castle Hostel | Cheap Accommodation Wye Valley
2 x volunteers needed - week beginning 1 August - YHA Okehampton Bracken Tor Hostel | Cheap Okehampton Youth Hostel Accommodation
5 x volunteers needed - week beginning 8 August - YHA Edale Hostel | Cheap Hope Valley Youth Hostel Accommodation
2 x volunteers needed - week beginning 15 August - YHA Edale Hostel | Cheap Hope Valley Youth Hostel Accommodation
If you wish to volunteer please email
rc-aws-yha-summer-residentials@mod.gov.uk
We will get in touch and you can speak with the AWS CS 'Worker in Charge' for the week you wish to help out on.
The residential weeks are seriously good fun for everyone involved and make such a difference to young people.