How to Start Volunteering with Young People in Preston: Your Complete Guide
If you’re wondering how to volunteer with young people in Preston, you’re not alone. More people are looking for meaningful ways to support their local community while gaining valuable experience, developing new skills, and making a positive difference.
Whether you’re considering a future career in youth work, education or social care, or simply want to give back, there are plenty of youth volunteering opportunities in Preston.
This practical guide explains how to start volunteering with young people at Vault, what opportunities there are, what the application process involves, whether you’ll need a DBS check for volunteering, and what you can expect from your first role.
Why Volunteer with Young People?
Choosing to volunteer with young people is one of the most rewarding ways to support your local community. Positive adult role models help young people build confidence, learn new skills, develop friendships and discover new interests in safe, supportive environments.
Volunteering also offers benefits for you, including:
- Building communication, teamwork and leadership skills.
- Gaining practical experience for careers in education, youth work, social work, healthcare or the charity sector.
- Meeting people who care about making a difference in Preston.
- Improving your confidence while supporting local young people.
- Enhancing your CV with recognised volunteer experience.
Whether you can volunteer weekly or just a few hours each month, your contribution can have a lasting impact.
Where Can You Volunteer with Young People in Preston?
Vault Youth Zone is an excellent example of a local charity offering meaningful volunteer opportunities. Volunteers work alongside trained youth workers to help deliver engaging sessions for young people aged 8–19 (and up to 25 for those with additional needs), supporting activities such as:
- Sports and fitness sessions
- Arts and crafts
- Music and performance
- Gaming and social spaces
- Cooking activities
- Mentoring and informal youth support
- Special events and themed evenings
Volunteering at Vault Youth Zone provides valuable hands-on experience while helping create positive opportunities for young people across Preston.
How to Start Volunteering with Young People
If you’re ready to begin volunteering in Preston, the process is usually straightforward.
- Find the Right Volunteer Opportunity
Start by thinking about what interests you most.
Ask yourself:
- Do you enjoy sports or coaching?
- Would you like to support creative activities?
- Are you interested in mentoring young people?
- How much time can you realistically commit?
Choosing a role that matches your interests will help you enjoy volunteering and stay committed long-term.
- Complete a Volunteer Application
Most youth organisations ask prospective volunteers to complete an application form.
This includes:
- Contact details
- Previous experience (if applicable)
- Availability
- Reasons for volunteering
- References
Don’t worry if you haven’t volunteered before. At Vault we value enthusiasm, reliability and a willingness to learn alongside previous experience.
- Attend an Interview
You’ll often be invited to an informal meeting or interview.
This allows both you and the team to discuss:
- The volunteer role
- Expectations
- Availability
- Training opportunities
- Any questions you may have
The aim is simply to ensure the role is the right fit for everyone.
Do You Need a DBS Check to Volunteer with Young People?
Yes, you’ll need a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check before volunteering directly with children or young people.
A DBS check helps organisations recruit safely and protect young people.
Typically:
- Vault will explain which DBS check is required.
- They’ll guide you through the application.
- Volunteer DBS checks are funded by the organisation.
- You’ll need identification documents to complete the process.
Remember that safeguarding involves much more than a DBS check. Volunteers are also expected to complete safeguarding training, understand organisational policies and report any concerns appropriately.
Volunteer Training and Support
At Vault, we invest in our volunteers through ongoing training and support.
Training covers:
- Safeguarding children and young people
- Health and safety
- Equality, diversity and inclusion
- Behaviour management
- Communication skills
- Role-specific guidance
At organisations like Vault Youth Zone, volunteers work alongside experienced youth workers who provide mentoring and ongoing support throughout their volunteering journey.
What to Expect as a Volunteer
Every session is different, but a typical volunteering shift may include:
- Welcoming young people
- Supporting activities
- Encouraging participation
- Helping set up equipment
- Talking and listening to young people
- Supporting youth workers during sessions
- Helping create an inclusive, positive environment
At Vault Youth Zone, volunteers become part of a dedicated team committed to helping young people develop confidence, resilience and new skills through fun, engaging activities.
Do You Need Previous Experience?
No.
We love to welcome first-time volunteers.
The qualities we look for include:
- Reliability
- Good communication skills
- Patience
- Positivity
- Respect for young people
- A willingness to learn
With the right attitude, you’ll receive the training and support needed to succeed.