Volunteering

Unfold is seeking volunteer mentors to support children and young people aged 10 to 25. This opportunity is grounded in the understanding that shared lived experiences and cultural identity can play a powerful role in building trust, fostering connection, and inspiring confidence. 

As a mentor, you’ll support a young person in setting personal goals, navigating barriers to inclusion, and building a sense of purpose and direction. Many young people face challenges related to identity, representation, and belonging—your presence and perspective as a mentor can make a meaningful difference in how they see themselves and their potential. 

Your ability to relate to their lived experiences will help to build a strong, non-judgemental relationship grounded in trust and mutual understanding. You'll offer emotional, social, and practical support that empowers your mentee to grow in confidence, independence, and self-belief. At the same time, you’ll help them build social connections with local groups, services, and networks. 

As a volunteer, you’ll: 

- Mentor a young person through regular one-to-one sessions, offering guidance, encouragement, and support. 

- Build a supportive relationship that reflects your shared cultural identity and lived experience. 

- Help your mentee explore their goals and overcome obstacles to inclusion. 

- Support them in making social and community connections to strengthen their sense of belonging. 

Unfold’s Youth Advisory Council has been clear: diversity in mentoring matters. When young people see mentors who look like them and understand their experiences, it adds depth, relatability, and meaning to the journey. By stepping into this role, you’ll be answering that call and helping make their vision a reality. 

Unfold hopes you can offer your time regularly, but this is entirely flexible and at your discretion. If you're ready to empower a young person to see their own potential, register your interest to become a mentor with Unfold.

Are there any age restrictions?

Need to be over 18

What are you looking for in your volunteers?

Being an organisation who actively ensures the people we serve are heard and considered in the operation of what we do, we asked our Youth Advisory Council what qualities they feel a mentor should have and we couldn’t agree more! 

• Open Minded 

• Good listener 

• Patient 

• Relatable 

Your individuality and your life experience is what makes you unique and there is no one size fits all, we ask for your time and committed to help others on their journey to Unfold their full potential, and we’ll help you with the rest.

Which interests apply to this role?

• Race & Ethnicity

• Children

• Young People

Please provide any further info about when you require volunteers:

We ask volunteers to commit to delivering mentoring for 1–2-hours a week, over a period of 24 in person sessions.

Type of Opportunity:

Ongoing

Other info on what you provide

Through our comprehensive training and ongoing support, you will develop skills in positive psychology and coaching style techniques, cover topics including safeguarding, confidentiality, the person-centred approach and the growth mindset all of which will help you to effectively support someone to making steps towards positive change.

What is the application process?

• Informal discussion

• Online application

• References

• Criminal Record Check

What do you provide for volunteers:

• Access to group meetings / socials / team events

• References can be provided after specific period volunteering

• Access to telephone / online support

• Volunteer will have named supervisior

• Volunteer handbook available

Skills you'll gain.

• Administration and Clerical
• Mentoring and Befriending
• Organisation, Event/Project Management
• Team Work
• Leadership and Management
• Time Management
• Networking and Relationship Building