Volunteers play a central part in a wide range of activities within Explore and our teams represent a broad spectrum from all walks of life. Our volunteers are not expected to have any specific prior knowledge but will have an opportunity to use their particular skills and experience to make a tangible difference to the education of young people, often from negative and dysfunctional backgrounds. Our volunteers give priceless support and enable the charity to reach an increasing number of schools, colleges and prisons every year.
Whatever your background and however much or little time that you can contribute; you will find volunteering for Explore rewarding, fun and challenging. Knowing that you are helping to make a difference is enormously enjoyable and satisfying.
Explore needs volunteers
As a small charity, we are entirely dependent on volunteers to help us do more.
All of our ‘Couples’ are volunteers. We also have volunteers who help facilitate our relationship sessions in schools and clubs. Last but not least, we need volunteer fundraisers who will run, cycle, bake or do whatever it takes to gets, including writing bids and sharing social media posts, to get us noticed.
Volunteer as an individual – You’ll need to be available during normal school hours some of the time, so if you are employed it would be good to check that volunteering for the equivalent of perhaps 2-3 days a year is part of your entitlement. Most workshops we do in schools are half a day – either morning or afternoon. We need volunteers to help facilitate discussions, open the workshop and help take the pressure off the teachers – who we ask not to contribute to the session, but to be present in case any students decide not to behave as they should. Skills needed: patience, listening skills, sense of humour, good communications and presenting skills. You will receive support and training from your local development officer. You may also be asked to help with routine admin for the local area and to help promote the work of Explore in your neighbourhood, such as recruitment and preparation of couples who volunteer. You’ll be very much part of a local team.
Volunteer as a couple – Our work relies on married couples being prepared to sit in a classroom and to answer any question ( within reason!) that the students ask about your own marriage. You’ll be ‘prepared’ but not ‘trained’ to do this – we want you to speak as you find. You’ll need to be open, honest and empathetic. Many couples find volunteering together in this way deeply rewarding and enriching for their own relationships. You do not need to be a ‘model couple’ as students prefer to hear how real people overcome problems and disagreements – it’s not all like East Enders! (we hope)
If you are asked to volunteer as a couple or as as individual, we’ll work with you on dates and locations and reimburse reasonable travelling expenses.
Volunteer as a fundraiser – You may prefer to support what we do in a different way altogether, such as through community challenge events and fundraising. We are a small charity that relies on voluntary donations, so if you feel inspired by our work supporting young people develop the knowledge and skills to ensure their emotional well-being far into the future, then please do get in touch with our CEO Lisa via the email below.
We are looking for 5k to marathon runners, cyclists, cake-bakers, quiz-masters and even form-fillers, to help us raise the funds we need, to do all that we can. Whatever your idea – get in touch and we’ll try to support you.
If you want to find out more about any of the volunteering options; contact hello@explorerelationships.org.uk
