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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

That it’s impossible for 14 year olds to get volunteering experience.

108 replies

OldTiredMum1976 · 13/06/2026 16:48

I have a very sensible 14 year old girl who is hoping to be a teacher when she grows up. She has a 9 week summer holiday and gets so fed up! She would like to do some volunteering to get some things on her CV, however, it seems impossible to find anything these days.

Has anyone got any ideas?

OP posts:
Nonnegotiables · 13/06/2026 16:56

Another thought, more child specific, is to put out a request on your local neighbourhood group to see if anyone wants babysitters or a hand with kids in summer hols? My older DD did this and got a couple of takers. I would have loved having a teen to just play and craft with kids while I was working from home in holidays. Volunteering at rainbows/brownies etc also good experience.

TeenLifeMum · 13/06/2026 16:53

Church groups often do summer camps and older dc can help round here. Dd2 is 14 and helps weekly at an evenings drama club.

ShetlandishMum · 13/06/2026 16:53

She could volunter with guides. It's from 14 yo. Ut of course it isn't the holiday.

www.girlguiding.org.uk/get-involved/become-a-volunteer/young-volunteers/young-leader/

Nonnegotiables · 13/06/2026 16:52

Park run volunteering has been fantastic for my DDs. They know more locals than I do now! They’ve tried different roles and it’s really built confidence. Some of their friends volunteer in charity shops or food banks too. There are some community gardens near us too which I think would welcome teen volunteers.

stripesandspotsanddots · 13/06/2026 16:51

Parkrun is good for that age group - my DS did it for his DofE.

Vetiver · 13/06/2026 16:51

My daughter volunteered with Riding for the Disabled from age 12 and recently volunteered with cubs for her DofE, might be worth looking into

Needmorelego · 13/06/2026 16:51

Summer Reading Scheme at your local library?
I have known teens do that. They pretty much just have to give the stickers out to the younger kids for reading books.

aliceyyyy2654 · 13/06/2026 16:50

Unfortunately due to DBS requirements she wouldn’t be able to volunteer with anything with children.
Do you have any neighbours/friends with kids who would like tutoring?