Organisation Name:
St Nicks
Organisation's Cause(s):
Children / Young People / Families
Education & Learning
Health
Location of voluntary activity:
St Nicks Environment Centre and Local Nature Reserve,
Rawdon Ave, York YO10 3FW
When are volunteers needed: For one or both of the following sessions:
Nature Tots - Mondays,1:30-3pm
Nature Adventurers - Wednesdays, 4-5:30pm
It would be helpful if the volunteer could arrive early/finish later than the session times to help prepare/set up/close sessions as necessary.
Type of Voluntary Activity:
Community Work
Education
Group Facilitation
Outdoor
Volunteering with Children & Young People
Role description:
Become a youth group volunteer to assist the Nature Based Wellbeing (NBW)
team in facilitating and delivering a full programme of nature-based youth activities and providing support to the children and young people accessing these groups.
You will gain experience in developing and delivering age-appropriate nature-based activities for groups of children and young people, to enhance their wellbeing, develop their confidence and skills, and capture their imagination through fun activities that help them connect to the natural world and live more sustainably.
Help to support Nature Tots for 0-5 year olds with a focus on outdoor play to help
them develop motor skills, experience outdoor and forest-school inspired play activities, learn more about the natural world, and to nurture an early interest in and respect for nature.
And/Or Nature Adventurers for 5-11 year olds, with activities like den-building, games, crafts, learning and outdoor challenges.
Skills and behaviours needed for the role:
Some experience of working with children and young people and supporting group activities would be beneficial but not essential
Interested in the benefits of outdoor forest school inspired play/activities to enhance
wellbeing and inspire an early connection to, and interest in, nature and the environment
Good levels of communication skills, confident interacting with children with SEND / other communication requirements
Able to maintain professional boundaries and safeguard CYP participants in line with St Nicks policies and processes
Friendly and approachable nature with the ability to get along with people from all
backgrounds
Reliable and committed to attending scheduled sessions consistently
Able to use initiative
Will there be a DBS check? Yes
Driving Licence required? No
Volunteer's own vehicle required? No
Suitable for:
Ongoing Volunteering
What will the volunteer gain/benefit from:
Opportunity to gain experience in a Nature Based Wellbeing environment providing group activities for CYP
A chance to learn new skills and gain practical experience in facilitating outdoor activities for CYP
Ongoing support to help with personal development throughout the role to achieve personal goals
Opportunity to improve skills and to attend on site and external training
Opportunity to gain experience making connections within the Voluntary and Community Sector in York
Experience working in a collaborative environment, being embedded in a team providing a key part of the Nature Based Wellbeing programme
References and help with job applications upon satisfactory completion of volunteering placement.
How to get involved:
To apply: submit your CV and covering letter outlining your interest in the role and how your skills and abilities match the role description to the NBW Manager [email protected].
You can get in touch with Anna [email protected] for an informal chat.
Web link: Click here
Closing date: 15-07-2026