Young Volunteers

Young Volunteers

If you are a young person, looking for opportunities to make a difference, then there are a number of ways you can get involved within the Salford community. Although many of the opportunities start from age 16, there are some programmes that may allow volunteers as young as 10 to apply.

It can be a little harder to get involved in volunteering if you are under 18 because not all opportunities may be available to you and there are certain legal and time limitations/commitments you need to consider before making a decision.

Salford CVS & Volunteering Portal

As a start, why not take a look at our dedicated online Volunteering Portal, which promotes opportunities in Salford for young people under 18 years of age. 

To apply the correct filter, change the box ‘Suitable for under 18s?’ from ‘Any’ to ‘True’. You will need to register for an account first, in order to express interest in a role. Typical roles may include

• Charity shops (e.g. British Red Cross or British Heart Foundation)
• Salford Park Run
• Salford Rangers
• Wheels for All

If you would prefer to speak to someone, you can contact us to arrange a 1:1 volunteering appointment by email, phone or text.

E: volunteer@salfordcvs.co.uk  T: 0161 797 7795 TX: 07451288091

If there are no suitable roles on the portal, we hope that this page will help in signposting you to some additional resources. Please check with the individual organisations for further information and advice on the application process.

Additional databases

Do-It is a national volunteer recruitment website with opportunities available from aged 14 and upwards.

V Inspired is a brokerage site that connects young people with volunteering opportunities.

Cadet Programmes

Youth Volunteering & First Aid Training - Cadets | St John Ambulance (sja.org.uk) - St John’s Ambulance operate across England, enabling young people to learn first aid, build their confidence, and gain important life skills.  They take young people from aged 7 to 18 to join one of their cadet units.

Home | Volunteer Police Cadets (vpc.police.uk) - Develop your volunteering and personal development opportunities through the VPC. Not all everywhere operates this programme so please check with local force.

Fire Cadets Home (ukfirecadets.org.uk) - Community Fire Cadets is a one year programme aimed at 14-year-olds who live in Greater Manchester. It offers young people an opportunity to learn basic firefighting skills while working towards both accredited and non-accredited qualifications.   

Other Local

Salford Voluntary Rangers provides the perfect opportunity to get involved in improving their local environment and is open to anyone aged 16. 

Youth Voice in Salford - Salford currently has a series of different youth roles including Young Mayor Salford Youth Council and Member of Youth Parliament. They also have representatives on Greater Manchester and North West of England youth forums. 

Salford Royal Hospital is currently looking for ‘Responder Volunteers’ to help provide support to staff, freeing them up for more clinical time. They take volunteers for this role from age 16.

Other National

British Youth Council aims to empower young people aged 25 and under to influence and inform the decisions that affect their lives. They support young people to get involved in their communities and democracy locally, nationally and internationally, making a difference as volunteers, campaigners, decision-makers and leaders.

National Citizens Service is a youth programme designed to give you a clearer idea of who you are, what you can do and what you want from your future.

Prince’s Trust helps young people from age 13 years to change their lives through free courses, grants, programmes and enterprise.

#IWill Campaign aims to inspire social action among 10-20 year olds, including becoming an #iwill ambassador. 

Scout Association offers 6 to 25 year-olds fun and challenging activities, unique experiences, everyday adventure and the chance to help others so that we make a positive impact in communities.

Girl Guiding UK provides girls and young women a space where they can be themselves, have fun, build brilliant friendships, gain valuable life skills and make a positive difference to their lives and their communities across the UK. There are also volunteer and support opportunities for different age groups

Energy Envoys Scheme is a volunteering opportunity provided by the National Energy Foundation for young people looking to complete the Volunteering section of their Bronze, Silver or Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Volunteers learn all about energy and make a difference to the people and places around them.

Ad-hoc Volunteering

Finally there are also lots of other ways to volunteer in the community from litter picking, fundraising and collecting donations, which could be done informally and on an ad-hoc basis. Contact us at Salford CVS if you would like to speak to someone about groups or charities in your area.

If you would like to speak to someone in our volunteer centre about any of the roles on our Volunteering Portal or have any questions about volunteering, please contact Claire Roberts or Grace Kennedy. E: volunteer@salfordcvs.co.uk  T: 0161 797 7795 TX: 07451288091