Youth Project Volunteer

About the role

Would you like to help young people build confidence, learn bike maintenance skills, explore their local area, and connect with nature?

Our Youth Project volunteers help us run fun, active sessions for young people aged 11–16 at some of Bristol’s Adventure Playgrounds. You could be supporting someone learn to ride, fixing bikes, joining a group ride, playing games, or simply encouraging a young person to have a go at something new.

If you’re looking for an impactful role, which can transform lives in your community, this is the one for you!

About the Youth Project

Our Youth Project engages young people through imaginative and inspiring cycle-related activity sessions every week throughout term time and school holidays. We deliver this work in partnership with three Adventure Playgrounds in Bristol, we're currently looking for volunteers to join us at:

Southmead Adventure Playground (the Ranch):

• Play sessions: Wednesdays, 3:30 - 5:30 pm term-time. Primary school age sessions. School holiday sessions also run 11 – 3 pm.
• Youth sessions: Wednesdays, 6 – 8 pm term-time. Secondary school age (11-16).

Lockleaze Adventure Playground (the Vench):

• Play sessions: Tuesdays, 3:30 - 5:30 pm term-time. Primary school age sessions. School holiday sessions also run 11:00 –3:00 pm.
• Youth sessions: Wednesdays, 3:30 - 5:30 pm term-time. Secondary school age (11-16).

Why volunteer with us?

You’ll be part of a friendly team helping young people get active, try new things and become more confident. Every session is different, and there’s plenty of opportunity to get stuck in, have fun, and learn along the way.

You’ll get training in areas such as bike maintenance, learn-to-ride skills, cycle games, play work and safeguarding. There may also opportunities to take part in other training if you’re interested.

As a Life Cycle volunteer, you’ll also recieve discounts on bike servicing and sales at our Hub and invitations to volunteer socials!

What are we looking for?

You’ll be warm, empathetic, and keen to support the team to ensure the project runs smoothly – this includes keeping the Adventure Playground bikes in good working order.

As part of this role, you’ll offer individual attention to help children with tasks such as learning to ride, taking part in group rides, fixing a broken bike and participating in games. You’ll be able to communicate clearly and patiently with children, parents and playworkers. Enthusiastic about cycling, you’ll have knowledge of bike repair and maintenance or a willingness to learn.

This is a rewarding role where you can inspire young people to become more confident, engage in physical activity and explore their local area, green spaces and home city. If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you!

Responsibilities

• Support the delivery of an annual programme of activities for children and young people.
• Complete safeguarding training with Life Cycle.
• Encourage people from underrepresented and marginalized communities to experience the benefits of cycling.
• Willing to attend a couple of volunteer training sessions per year, (this may include bike maintenance, teaching 'learn-to-ride' and cycle skills games).
• Able to work in a busy setting and deal calmly with competing demands for attention.
• Compliance with Health and Safety guidelines for activities.

Your skills and experience:

Essential

• Enthusiasm for working with children and young people.
• Valid enhanced DBS (or willingness to apply for one).
• A keen interest in cycling and all things bike-related.
• Good communication skills.

Desirable

• Experience working with children and young people.
• Experience in repairing and maintaining bicycles.
• Prepared to undertake Ride Leader training.
• A recognised cycle maintenance qualification.
• First aid certificate.

Application process

We’re looking to find a volunteer as soon as possible.

For further information and for a chat about the role, call or email our Inclusive Cycling Coordinator.

Step one

Please complete our application form.

Step two

Once we’ve received the completed application form, we will organise:

• A brief phone call with the Project Coordinator

Step three

If your application is successful after completing step one; we’ll get in contact with you.

Thank you for your interest, we really appreciate your time!