Wilderness Foundation UK volunteers make a difference

  • Some help troubled young people turn their lives around.
  • Some work outdoors to help preserve wild spaces.
  • Some accomplish both goals by working on fundraising and public awareness campaigns.
  • All gain the satisfaction of contributing to the wellbeing of our communities and our planet.

Most volunteer opportunities are in and around Essex and the London area.

Work with Young People

We are currently recruiting volunteer youth mentors to work with young people in Essex.  Positions are available either on weekdays or during evenings and weekends.
Youth mentor volunteers must pass an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service background check. They must also complete child protection training. These costs are covered by the Wilderness Foundation.
Our next mentor training programme in Essex will start on Saturday 5th March 2016.    Candidates must be available to attend all three days training as this is compulsory.   Training dates are:

  • Saturday 5th March 2016
  • Saturday 12th March 2016
  • Saturday 19th March 2016

By fully completing all three days you will partially complete the first module of the Ofqual Level 2 Understanding Mentoring accreditation.   You will then be able to progress on the next stage of this qualification by completing the Mentoring Practice module, through observational and other evidence based input, such as case studies and diaries.
By the end of the training, mentors demonstrate their ability to:

  • Establish and maintain a mentoring relationship with a young person
  • Understand the needs of young people
  • Deal with challenging behaviour
  • Develop and follow an action plan with a young person
  • Reflect on their own performance as mentors
  • Recognise the signs of harm or abuse and know what to do about it

Prospective mentors will need to submit an expression of interest form and will then be contacted by our mentor management team to progress to the next stage.    An interview will be required, full application and candidates will also be subject to DBS checks.
To find out more about mentoring with the Wilderness Foundation UK, in the first instance complete our online form or call Clive Emmett on 0300 123 3073 to find out more.