Residential Youth Leader
Our Second Home
A Residential Youth Leader is a supportive role model who helps young people feel safe, valued, and confident. Our Second Home empowers migrants and refugees to flourish. Leaders support a five-day residential for 14–18-year-olds, running activities, supporting wellbeing, and safeguarding participants. Applicants must be 20+, DBS eligible, and committed to inclusion.
Our Second Home is a youth movement that empowers migrants and refugees to flourish in the place that they call home. Our overnight activity camp for young people aged 14-18 is a chance for young people to come together and have five days of fun and excitement, supported by a dynamic and dedicated team of leaders and staff. Youth Leaders for this project will be responsible for facilitating the camp, and will be directly in contact with, and responsible for, the participants. During the camp they will be ‘on duty’ full-time, meaning that they will spend the whole time with the participants, including at meals. Please ensure you are available to come to all the following events - specific dates can be found on the application form: Training Pre-Residential Prep Day (on site) Residential, in full Feedback & thank you afternoon We will arrange Zoom interviews with applicants separately. If you have any questions about applying for this role, or about your eligibility, please contact our Volunteering Manager, Amer, at amer@oursecondhome.org.uk. QUOTES: “Having the professional [welfare] support made me feel very support and more comfortable with the work” – BT “The atmosphere of fun, respect, care, and community is what made the young people so comfortable and connected” – BT “The leaders were all awesome – it was incredible to work in a team so full of hard working, intelligent, experienced people” – BT “Seeing the kids bursting out of their shells and that being the norm rather than just exceptions was just incredible.” – CA “It honestly surpassed anything I could have hoped for” – LK Responsibilities: Interacting and forming a bond with the participants Creating and running fun and engaging activities for the participants Looking after the participants’ welfare, and ensuring that they feel cared for and secure Managing the participants’ behaviour and setting clear boundaries Expectations and requirements: All applicants must be interviewed and be willing to provide references on request. Youth Leaders must set a positive example of behaviour and involvement for all participants, and adhere to the volunteer guidelines. Youth Leaders may be required to prepare activities for participants at the camp. If asked, this must be completed in plenty of time to allow any materials or equipment to be sourced. Applicants should be aged 20 or above. Applicants must be eligible for DBS clearance (no criminal record that prevents applicants from working with children) Youth Leaders must raise any safeguarding concerns swiftly and follow safeguarding procedures Youth Leaders must follow all Our Second Home policies and procedures of (which will be explained at the Camp training days). Structure: Youth Leaders will be supported by the Welfare Support Lead(s), who will be their main contact in the build to and throughout the camp. The Welfare Support Lead(s) will run team meetings at the end of each day and be on hand to advise and manage the Youth Leaders.
Advice, Information & Support,Art & Design,Befriending, Buddying & Mentoring,Catering,Community Work,Counselling,Entertainment,Languages & Translation,Practical Work & DIY,Teaching & Training,Youth Work,Campaigning & Lobbying,First Aid,Legal,Music,Sport & Coaching,Support Work,Volunteer Management,General & Helping,Youth Safety
Art & Craft, Building & Maintenance, Cleaning & Tidying, Counselling, Creative & Design, Language Skills, Managing People, Maths, Organising & Planning, Photography, Reading & Writing
Essential skills: Experience working with and/or caring for young people aged 14-18 Flexibility, adaptability and ability to improvise Ability to build connection quickly with peers and young people Ability to work in a team and communicate effectively High level of organisation High levels of empathy and patience Awareness and sensitivity that some participants might be suffering from trauma Additional desired skills: Experience working with refugees and/or asylum seekers Experience working with young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities Language skills: Arabic, Dari, Pashto, Tigrinya, Somali First Aid training Creative or artistic abilities Sports leadership Ability to prepare fun and engaging activities for young people We particularly encourage applications from those who have lived experience of being a refugee.
OSH offers: Training in youth facilitation, trauma-informed practice, and safeguarding Real leadership experience on residential camps Ongoing mentorship and support, with clear progression pathways Certificates and references to support your future goals Joining a diverse, welcoming, and passionate network Meaningful experiences that build confidence, skills, and connection You’ll also receive: Travel expense coverage, so cost isn’t a barrier Your official OSH Leader t-shirt Support from dedicated Welfare Leads and Officers, plus daily team check-ins Most importantly: You’ll be part of a community that values care, compassion, and leading with kindness
Our residentials are 2, 4 or 5-night activity camps for young refugees and asylum seekers aged 14–18. You’ll be “on duty” the whole camp — sharing meals, laughter, and late-night chats. Don’t worry: we’ll train and support you every step of the way.
SW9 7QD
Trainings take place at 6 Canterbury Crescent, Brixton. Residentials take place at different locations outside London and Bristol.
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