Volunteer
From working with staff to supporting young people, volunteers play an integral part in all the services and projects we offer at the Rugby Portobello Trust (RPT).
The presence, commitment and energy of volunteers is a core strength of RPT and something we are incredibly proud of.
To become a volunteer with us, you must be over the age of 16 and be willing to have a full DBS check and participate in safeguarding training. We also ask that you meet our code of conduct and undertake training to understand the relevant information for the area where you would like to volunteer. Please note that references are required for new volunteers.
All volunteers are matched with a role that fits their skills, experience and availability. While some volunteers apply specific expertise to their role (for example, supporting A level chemistry), others apply generalist skills (for example, helping with reading). Most volunteers have weekly placements working with our families and young people, these placements are typically for an hour and a half over a minimum of two academic terms. Other volunteers support the Trust on an ad-hoc basis through working on fundraising events or occasionally helping with one-off projects.
Examples of volunteer roles:
- Wednesday or Thursday, 10am – 1pm: Provide support by engaging pre-school children in activities while their mothers/carers attend our Mums and Carers sessions.
- Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, 3:30 – 5:30/6:30pm: Help youth workers at after school Junior Youth Club by providing activities for 6 to 12 year olds in play, sport, games, cookery and music. Volunteers with appropriate skills can lead activities such as art or cookery.
- Tuesday or Wednesday, 3:30pm – 5pm: Help youth workers at after school Minors Club by providing activities for 6 to 12 year olds in play, sport, games, cookery and music.
- Tuesday to Thursday 3:30 – 6:30pm: Provide support at our Junior Homework Club by helping our 8 to 12 year olds with homework, reading or some research for a project.
- Assist coaches in our children's football academy at weekly after school training sessions.
- Assist play workers at one of the after-school play centres we run at primary schools in Kilburn, Harrow rd., Kensal Rise and Primrose Hill by involving children in games, sport, play, artand cookery. Volunteers with appropriate skills may lead an activity such as art or cookery. (Please note this is a 1–2-hour commitment between 3:30pm and 6pm on weekdays).
- Support our holiday play scheme in Avondale and Kilburn during school holidays, these attract dozens of children and young people ranging from all-day to a few hours. P3 Play offers all sorts of activities as well as breakfast, lunch and tea as well as trips, competitions and games. Though this is quite a busy programme, there are plenty of quiet times for reading, chatting and chilling out.
- Support a secondary pupil in one of a range of subjects including Functional Skills, GCSE and A-Levels. (To be arranged depending on experience).
- Support a teenager in job applications and life skills. (To be arranged depending on experience).
- Provide one-off support at RPT events, for example table waiting, selling raffle tickets, setting up.
Testament to the quality of our volunteer roles is the number of long-standing volunteers working with us at RPT, many of whom have worked with us for several years across many different roles.
If you would like to get involved, please complete and submit our online Volunteer Application Form where our Volunteer Manager will get back to you.
For queries or more information, please get in touch with us via email: volunteer@rpt.org.uk
