YMCA Fairhorne Group Hampshire

If you speak to people who already volunteer, they will probably tell you that they do it because they love it. So why not help to support children and young people, and gain invaluable skills at the same time with us?

Most people volunteer for YMCA Fairthorne Group because they want to give something back and find they get much more in return.

We are a large organisation that operates across Hampshire, Dorset and the Isle of Wight, with a wide range of opportunities in each area. 

Please see below for further information and contact details for each of our current volunteering opportunities.

We have included recruitment details at the end of this web page:

Fairthorne Manor, Curdridge (near Botley)

• Programme - assisting with the delivery of outdoor activities to children and young people. John Blair, Programme Manager, 01489 785228
• Nursery - assisting with the daily care of under 5's with a focus on outdoor play. Heather Martin, Deputy Childcare manager, 01489 772222
• Estates - assisting with the development and maintenance of our various buildings. Peter Scaife, Estates Director, 01489 785228
• Facilities - assisting with the development and maintenance of our diverse grounds, including Fairthorne Manor Golf Course. Caroline Head, Operations Support Manager, 01489 785228

New Photographer/Video Producer Role Available!

Winchester House, Shanklin, Isle of Wight

• Children's Bereavement Service (part of Targeted Services). Assist with fundraising and practical support for the Service. Kelly Matthews, Volunteer Co-ordinator, 01983 862441 ext 2206
• Isle of Wight Young Carers Project (part of Targeted Services). Over 21's can become part of our team support for group activities and progress to a befriending role. Kelly Matthews, Volunteer Co-ordinator, 01983 862441 ext 2206
• Winchester House Nursery - assisting with the daily care of under 5s. Diana Jefferies, Assistant Director, IW, 01983 862441 ext 2209
• Daycamps - School holiday activities for children and young people aged 4-14. Diana Jefferies, Assistant Director, IW, 01983 862441 ext 2209
• Customer Service - assisting with all aspects of group visits, including maintenance, housekeeping, administration and catering. Sue Gibbs, Winchester House Manager, 01983 862441 2204

Portsmouth Children's Work

• After School Club, term-time weekdays at Portsmouth Grammar School. Rob Allman, Portsmouth Children's Work Co-ordinator, 07789 483 709
• Daycamps, St Luke's Sports Centre, weekdays during school holidays. Rob Allman, Portsmouth Children's Work Co-ordinator, 07789 483 709

• Paul Clark, Southampton Deputy Director, 02380 221 202.

• Townhill- assisting with the daily care of under 5's. Sophia Oman, Nursery Manager, 02380 431186
• Weston Park- assisting with the daily care of under 5's. Corinne Finlay, Nursery Manager, 02380 431186 

St Vincent Nursery, St Vincent College, Gosport - assisting with the daily care of under 5's. Michaela Oscroft, Assistant Director, SE Hampshire, 02392 504199 

Little Whale Nursery, Whale Island, Portsmouth - assisting with the daily care of under 5's. Lydia Miron, Nursery Manager, 02392 547182

St Mary's Nursery, St Mary's Hospital, Newport, IoW - assisting with the daily care of under 5's and Daycamps for children up to 14 years old. Jenny Arnold, Nursery Manager, 01983 525 423

Dorset Befriending Project - Volunteer Buddying Scheme for young people with disabilities. Shelly Rossiter, Dorset Play Manager, 01202 862 580

With the success and completion of YMCA Fairthorne Group's Vinvolved Youth Volunteering Project, the organisation has continually shown a commitment to support volunteering throughout the organisation.

Recruitment Information

All individuals that embark on volunteering roles within YMCA Fairthorne Group will under-go standard recruitment checks, complete induction and role training and will receive on-going support throughout.

You can also find all our volunteering opportunities on the national online volunteering website www.do-it.org.

Or you can Click here to apply to volunteer with YMCA Isle of Wight targeted services

Application Information for Potential Volunteers 

All volunteers are required to complete the recruitment process listed below, ensuring that volunteers undertake the YMCA Fairthorne Group standard level of recruitment checks and induction training.

Application Form

All individuals interested in volunteering are asked to complete a standard application form. The application form helps the service to distinguish the individual's interests, availability, contact details and reference details. Additional questions may be requested from the individual to accompany their application to volunteer.

Informal Meeting 

Individuals may request/be requested to attend an informal meeting. This is utilised as an opportunity to explore the volunteering roles available and briefly discuss the person's interest to volunteer.

Interview

Potential volunteers will be required to undertake an interview with members of staff.  The interview is designed to enable the team to learn more about the volunteer: background, skills, experience, aspirations, whilst gage their level of knowledge and understanding of their chosen role.  It is also utilised for volunteers to find out more about the organisation and what to expect as a volunteer.

CRB and Reference Checks

Prior to engaging in a volunteering activity with the organisation, individuals are all required to complete:

• A satisfactory disclosure check with the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) completed with the YMCA.
• Two satisfactory references.

Induction Training

Once all standard recruitment checks and the interview takes place, volunteers will be asked to complete induction training. This may be a series of events/sessions. Completion is dependent on the volunteer's level of commitment.

Induction training includes:

• YMCA Fairthorne Group child protection and safeguarding training.
• on-site volunteers complete a site induction
• specific role training may be required
• acknowledge and understand specific documents relating to the chosen role and the ‘Standard YMCA Fairthorne Group Policies and Procedures for Volunteers' document.
• For individuals volunteering directly with children and young people, read and acknowledge the ‘Safer Working Practices for Adults Working with Children and Young People' Guidance Document (Department for Children, Schools and Families).

If volunteers feel that they require further training to support them in their volunteering role, they will have the opportunity to discuss this with their line-manager.