Volunteering with us
Help make Kent a better place to live, work and enjoy by
volunteering with Kent County Council services. You’ll make a real
difference to people’s lives – and your own too.
Volunteer with:
Adult Education
This is a rewarding and valued role. Volunteers support students
with their learning under the guidance of teaching staff. They also
help courses run smoothly by, for example, making and developing
resources or maintaining data.
Volunteers work mostly within the Skills for Life provision,
including English, maths and independent living skills for those
with learning disabilities and difficulties.
Requirements: An interest in and commitment to
supporting others.
Training: Available. Can lead on to becoming a
teaching assistant or tutor.
For more information:
Email: contactcentre.adulteducation@kent.gov.uk
Call: 0845 606 5606
Visit: Adult Education
Adult Social Services
Volunteers provide the extra special touches which help make our
community services so highly regarded by all.
They work across a wide range of services including residential
and respite care units for all client groups, day services for
older people and people with learning disabilities. They also help
support service users to lead independent lives.
Activities can be as diverse as running small shops within
residential units, where clients and visitors can purchase their
own little luxuries, to helping within a day centre for adults with
a learning disability to run a disco for the clients.
Children and Families
There are Sure Start Children's Centres in local communities
across Kent. They value the involvement of volunteers in their work
to support children and families in the community.
The centres offer enjoyable, rewarding and supported
opportunities so volunteers can fully participate in their
services.
If you would like more information and find out how to get
involved visit the children's centre website or email the childrenscentres@kent.gov.uk
Deaf Services
Deaf Services is developing opportunities for volunteers with
signing skills to work as Befrienders with Deaf people who
communicate in British Sign Language (BSL).
Volunteers provide opportunities to explore and access
activities in the community and can help relieve the isolation
commonly experienced by Deaf people. By volunteering you can
develop your BSL skills, meaning both parties benefit from the
experience.
Deaf Services see the bank of volunteers as possible contacts
for Deaf adults who are looking to employ a personal assistant.
Email: eastkentdeafserviceskass@kent.gov.uk
- Telephone (voice): 01303 224386
- Telephone (minicom): 01303 224269
- Fax: 01303 224270
- SMS: 07795 951461
Environment
All our environmental programmes enable volunteers to learn new
skills, improve and enhance their local environment and explore the
countryside. They also have the added bonus of being great outdoor
exercise.
Projects take place in urban and rural areas and can range from
construction of dipping platforms to board walks, enhancing habitat
for specific species, maintaining our public rights of way,
woodland planting, wildlife monitoring and tree and river wardens,
so there are plenty of ways to get involved.
For student and individuals wishing to gain hands on practical
experience in a range of specific interests for personal or career
objectives, volunteering placements and work experience can be
arranged.
Email: cmp@kent.gov.uk or get
more information about the partnership organisations
Countryside Access Wardens
Volunteers are an essential source of help to keep the public
rights of way network open for all to use. As a warden, you will
directly help your local community and visitors to the area by
carrying out a number of simple jobs to make the rights of way
network a lot friendlier to use and help give others the confidence
to explore the countryside.
All training and equipment needed to carry out the role is free
and volunteer work can be fitted around your own schedule.
For more information call 0845 345 0210 or email CAS.Volunteer@kent.gov.uk
Heritage
We are responsible for 8 windmills in Kent and are actively
involved in their preservation and promoting their use for
education and tourism.
As a volunteer you could help with:
- ongoing maintenance from cleaning and decorating to minor
repairs
- running the mill - full training is given on the mill's
operation
- working on the reception desk on open afternoons - Sundays and
Bank Holidays from Easter to the end of September plus occasional
days during the summer
- acting as a guide on open afternoons - again full
training is given.
Find a Windmill near you.
Libraries
Play an active role in your community by volunteering
in one of Kent's libraries. Find out
more about volunteering in libraries or becoming a reading champion.
Kent Parent Partnership
Kent Parent Partnership aims to empower parents and
families of disabled children and children with special
educational needs to be confident to take an active and
informed role in their child's education and development.
Partnership with Parents run a training programme for volunteers
to become Independent Parental Supporter (IPS) to work alongside
parents and carers to provide them with information and
impartial advice so they can make informed decisions.
As a volunteer IPS you might help with paperwork, writing
reports or letters or help a parent prepare for and even
accompany them to meetings.
If you would like an information pack:
Call: 01622 755515
Email: partnershipwithparents@kent.gov.uk
Website: Partnership with
Parents
Kent Sport
Sport volunteers are vital to the support of sport in
Kent. We work with many sports clubs and sport organisations
involving volunteers across all disciplines, abilities and age
groups.
Disability sport is encouraged and supported and Kent Sport work
with volunteers who deliver training and coaching as needed.
Contact 01622 605338 or visit the Kent Sport
website.
Youth Offending Service
The Youth Offending Service (YOS) co-ordinates the Youth
Offending Referral Order Panel volunteers. Panel volunteers
step in to help young people put offending behind them.
When a young person pleads guilty to a first offence and
receives a referral order, a panel of volunteers and the YOS
adviser meets with the young person, the parents and the victim of
the crime to agree a tailor-made contact aimed at putting things
right.
The volunteers are committed to getting young offenders to make
amends to their victims or the community and support them to move
forward to a positive future.
There is a need for over 140 volunteers at any time and there is
an opportunity for panellists to gain an NVQ in recognition of good
practice. To find out about the training involved call 0300
333 5433 or visit the Youth Offending
Service website.
Youth Services
Volunteers carry out a range of activities to support the
full-time staff at youth centres around the county. This can
includes shifts as a coffee-bar assistant, a bit of DIY or a hand
with the administration.
Some of the volunteers have past experience and training in
youth work and come back to help as youth worker assistants when
needed.
Call: 01622 694788
Email: youth.enquiries@kent.gov.uk
Website: Kent
Youth Service
Youth County Council
The Youth County Council provides an opportunity for 11-18
year-olds to get involved and have a say in what happens in their
area and communities, there is also the UK Youth Parliament, a
national forum.
Email kycc@kent.gov.uk or
visit the Kent Youth County Council
pages.