Interested in a career in teaching, youth work or creative therapies and want to make a difference to young peole facing social and mental health disadvantage?

We are seeking enthusiastic and commited assistants and helpers for our creative groups for children and young people with social, emotional and mental health needs. Our small mentoring groups exist for young people with anxiety to build peer relationships in a safe and held environment. Our creative groups incoroprate talking, narrative, and creative arts therapies. During the holidays we focus on creative activities, games and fun! We also work in partnership with a number of local partners such as a forest school and community kitchen to offer exciting opportunties to our families during the school holidays. We are looking for commited volunteers to help us run these groups alongside our trained staff to provide fun, safe and supportive sessions to young people who may be struggling with anxiety and emotional difficulties. Do you have a great idea for a creative workshop/session or something you're passionate about? We're always open to new ideas! This opportunity may suit those looking to build experience working with children, as well as those interested in group facilitation and project development.

A Bit About Us

Love Squared is a not-for-profit that works with children, young people and families impacted by social, emotional and mental health. It offers imaginative expert support for children and young people at both primary and secondary school age, and their families who are disadvantaged because of social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) difficulties. We run a range of specialist services and projects to support children and young people who might be feeling anxious, stressed or suffering in silence. These range from small group therapeutic projects to mentoring to advice and advocacy. Our approach is holistic and is about sensitive joined up working where we really listen to what the young people need.

We work with children and young people at both primary and secondary school age who are disadvantaged because of social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) difficulties. They often have a diagnosed mental health condition or are waiting for a diagnosis, and it is often correlated with a history of trauma or psychological distress, or another disability, learning need, or physical illness. Many of the children we work with are also affected by issues such as domestic violence, abuse, identity issues, bullying and many are young carers.

Whilst each child is affected differently, common issues that we see are: Problems accessing school either through non-attendance, or difficulty focusing and thriving at school, difficulties making friends leading to significant social isolation, issues with confidence and self-esteem which can lead to difficulties leaving the house or even their rooms for days at a time, panic attacks, suicidal attempts or ideation, self-harm, and difficulties accessing support and help from statutory services.

We want to make three key differences:

• Improved mental health
• Reduced social isolation
• Increased ability to thrive at school

Your volunteer responsibilities will include:

• Able to commit to commit to regular group sessions. Glow groups typically take place during the school holidays, although may take place more frequently at different points in the year where we are running one-off sessions and events.
• A willingness to travel to various locations where we hold groups and events which typically includes our base in Stokes Croft, St Werburghs and Easton.
• A willingness to participate in check ins with the Volunteer Coordinator and Group Leader.
• A commitment to safeguarding best practice and follow up support which might include escalating safeguarding concerns to the safeguarding officer.
• A commitment to attend any relevant training and reflective practice sessions for role development e.g. all volunteers must attend internal safeguarding training at least once a year, alongside informal learning opportunities through other relevant training opportunities and supervision.
• Proactive follow up with young people which may on occasion include face to face meetings and other follow up with external/statutory agencies.

Ideally you will have:

• A genuine passion for helping children and young people.
• Emotional resilience.
• Be imaginative and proactive about problem solving.
• Good communication skills.
• Some experience working with children and young people (desirable)
• Patient, empathetic, and calm manner.
• A willingness to give and receive feedback.
• Knowledge of confidentiality and safeguarding process.
• A belief in and commitment to our values.
• Ability to use initiative and be able to work without supervision.
• Ability to commit to at least 6 months with us.
• We want our volunteers to get the most out of their experience with us both personally and professionally. Let us know if there are particular areas you'd like to develop/train/learn in and we’ll see if we can support you.

What you will gain:

• Opportunity to turn your passion for supporting young people into real positive change for a small not for profit, where every person is capable of having profound impact.
• Chance to be part of a lovely warm and supportive team.
• Chance to observe other practitioners at work and build confidence in a small supportive team.
• Professional and training development opportunities.