We are dedicated to improving the emotional wellbeing of vulnerable young people. Free To Be supports children who have experienced complex disadvantage to change their stories, through therapeutic adventures and the power of the outdoors.
We are largely volunteer-run and rely on the support of hundreds of like-minded individuals each year. Our volunteers help us to deliver our countryside-based respite residentials and mentoring programme all year long.
Residentials: Our breaks offer the opportunity for children to have new experiences, build their confidence and feel brave. The holidays are packed with nature and animal-focused activities such as kayaking or camping under the stars in the forest. Without our breaks, many of these young people would not have a holiday and many have never seen the sea, been to a farm or had a bedtime story. Here, our volunteers take on several roles:
Group Leader – Stay on-site for one week, working with minimum 1 other volunteer to support the same, small group of children. You will complete activities with our young people, and in doing so help them to discover how brilliant they are; showing them kindness and teaching them to be proud of themselves as they explore and grow through the week. Food and board are provided at no cost to our volunteer base.
Free to Be volunteers make a direct, positive impact on the lives of some of London’s most vulnerable young people. The support, encouragement and care you give will help to nurture children’s self-confidence and allow them to begin to change their stories.
We invest in our volunteers and their development. All our new volunteers undergo statutory safeguarding and induction training, and we will continue to nurture your professional development in your volunteer journey with us. We offer free opportunities to undergo First Aid, MIDAS (driving), and food hygiene training as well as targeted training from leading experts on our annual free, celebratory ‘Experienced Helper’ weekend. Your time with us will offer you an invaluable insight into child-centred careers, as well as a host of transferrable skills including critical thinking, adaptability, and communication.
Our volunteers are part of a close-knit community known as the ‘Free to Be Family’. In joining, you will connect with like-minded individuals and make friends along the way. We could not do this without our volunteers, and so your volunteer experience is of the utmost importance to us. On projects, you will have the support of experienced volunteers and staff and have daily check-ins to discuss your experience. We value mutual feedback, and you will also have a more in-depth discussion at the end of the week to reflect on your strengths and areas for improvement whilst working with vulnerable children.
We welcome volunteers from all walks of life, regardless of their previous experience working with young people. No special skillset is required; we recognise the value of a team consisting of different personalities and strengths. If you are an empathetic, patient and adaptable person you will fare well on our projects. Please note that we can only accept volunteers aged 18 or over.
We especially encourage applications from those who represent the lived experiences of our children through their own lived experience or background.
If you would require support whilst volunteering with us, due to additional needs, please do make this known to us at interview so we can endeavour to assist you.
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