Volunteer

A quick guide to becoming a JG Volunteer

  1. Make sure you’re signed up to the mailing list for announcements
  2. When available fill in a volunteer application and agree to the volunteer guidelines
  3. Attend the first planning meeting (at this meeting new volunteers will have a short chat with the coordinators – a not-interview interview!)
  4. Await an offer of a place on volunteer staff team.

If you have any questions or would like to talk to someone about volunteering at Junior Gathering, please contact Candia Crosfield, Volunteer Recruitment Coordinator at candia.crosfield@googlemail.com

About volunteering at Junior Gathering

We are looking for Friends aged 18+ who would enjoy the chance to be together in a Quaker environment with young friends aged 11 to 14. During the week we explore different aspects of a theme chosen by the young people.

The theme and dates of Junior Gathering are at the top of the booking form. The event is a week long from Saturday to Saturday, with the staff team arriving the day before on the Friday. Arriving on Friday is essential in building the staff team as it provides the staff with valuable time to get to know each other and to settle in before the young people arrive.

The staff team meet in February, April, and June to plan the event. Thorough planning is the key to a good Junior Gathering and it is vital that staff become fully involved in this process.

All potential staff volunteers have to complete an application form and supply references. Prior to the event you will be interviewed by the event co-ordinators who will consider all new applications. Once accepted, we will need you to complete a DBS check (formerly CRB check) which will be explained at the time. We aim to have a balanced staff team of approximately 20-25. New staff are expected to participate as full members of the team although the first year as a member of the team is considered a probationary period. This is part of our commitment to the Meeting Safety guidelines. The Event Coordinators will review the week individually with each new member of staff at the end of Junior Gathering. This will be an opportunity to receive feedback, review the week as well as consider their involvement in future years.

As a member of the staff team, your role would be to support and facilitate young people at Junior Gathering, working within the Meeting Safety guidelines of Britain Yearly Meeting. We work together to explore the theme that has been chosen by the young people the previous year. Staff facilitate base groups and provide activity sessions, possibly including arts and crafts, writing workshops, sports etc. We are always looking for new ideas for activities and other non-theme sessions.

More information about running an activity session and facilitating a base group will be given in the application pack. All base groups are co-facilitated by two members of the staff team. There is a staff meeting each day to go over the planning details for the following day and to allow people to express any concerns.

The week is hectic and tiring but also a lot of fun. Everyone will have some time off during the week and anyone who is looking too tired is actively encouraged to take some time to themselves. Although we expect the young people to go to bed at a reasonable time (to ensure they have the energy to enjoy the week) the quiet period after hours may be the only time staff get to plan. It is usual for the staff team to do at least two night duties, on a rota. Staff can go off site during time off and relax, but must not come into contact with any young people on return if they have drunk any alcohol.

If you are interested in having an exciting rewarding week we would very much like you to: