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

[OldTiredMum1976]

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?

I think it's the insurance that is the problem not DBS. Riding for the Disabled will have that anyway.

At that age she doesn’t need to be volunteering. Why not help her to develop some hobbies?
Lots of tutorials for crafts on YouTube or places like Hobbycraft and independent shops run workshops.
she could join a gym if finances allow, learn to run long distance?
what about going out with friends, reading books, etc.

Why not just get a job for the summer?might as well get paid.

You have to dbs everyone. too expensive

Summer reading scheme at the library. From 14 in my area. It was great for my daughter.

Library take on young volunteers for summer reading schemes, any activities, sport or other organisations she is involved with may have workshops she can assist with, some charities will need help with events and sorting donations. If you have a voluntary hub they may be able to match her interests and skills.

Because she's 14

My daughter is 13 and comes along on my volunteer shift at the local Babybank when she’s on holiday. But it’s on the understanding that I’m responsible for her. Our insurance allows for secondary school age children but they need direct supervision. But I’d happily take another child along too if they were interested. So are there any things in your wider circle that she could be a part of?

14 is a good age for paid work.the 14s I know are getting summer work,even 13s in fact.just as we did.

It's not too early to think about her CV - she will be doing her UCAS form in 3 years and it is always good to have relevant experience to include.

I would look at volunteering in organised groups such as Sea Cadets, Guides, D of E etc. Also does her school have afterschool / enrichment clubs that she is interested in? You can often find work experience opportunities through that eg theatre group, sports.

She can also do her own thing - set up a social media account or local campaign or do litterpicking (the local authority usually supply litterpicking kit free for volunteers).

DBS is a red herring - she won't be supervising children on her own. DBS / insurance is used as an excuse by organisations too lazy or too reluctant to take on young people. My organisation runs a careers club for Y7-13. I feel quite strongly that we all have to take more responsibility finding work experience for teenagers. We have a very big youth employment issue.

Where are you based? There's noone round here that will hire below 16

She could write to local schools and ask for work experience in the office. It would be welcomed (trust me - there's so much to do) and give her a view of the back office engine few teachers see.

Join cadets. My son is in sea cadets but same applies for air and marine. They do loads.

I did this at age 14 up (a long time ago).

During the school holidays?

junior park run volunteer?

I currently have a 14 year old young leader at brownies.

Parkrun will take under 18s

I agree - My kids attend a club run by a charity and once the kids turn 12 they can become volunteers.

Also the Scottish goverment runs the Saltire Awards to actively encourage volunteering from age 11.

saltireawards.scot/

I live in a touristy area, all kids work from 14, mainly in hospitality. Great for their life skills, confidence and CVs.

There's also volunteering opportunities through school (DofE, Saltire Award, Leadership Awards, which are equivalent to Highers).

What do everyone's DC do all summer if they don't work or volunteer?

Agreed that is something REALLY useful for the group, but most groups like that stop for August (at least, some for all the school holidays) so not going to be worth the organisation's while to do any sort of arranging / induction when they then close after the first week.
Same with most toddler groups that another poster suggested.

Fantastic for older teens who can perhaps fit things like that round college but no t feasible for people still at school.

Could she contact her local 'Friends of X Park' type organisation. Generally groups like that would welcome some younger legs / arms / hearts, and, as a generalisation I suspect would not be as restricted by concerns about your dd being U18 and unaccompanied as some places might.
Same with asking about if any of your friends do gardening at their local hospice / rehabilitation centre / Church / hospital / etc. who might be willing for her to go along with them. I doubt any of those organisations, if formally approached, would be able to accept unaccompanied minors, but mostly volunteers would turn a blind eye if Bill / Kathy's friend's grandaughter came along with them a few times over the school holidays.

I'd encourage her to put flyers through neighbours letterboxes offering time and energy. My 14 yr old son has and is currently painting three garden benches and a table for £100 for a neighbour! It's teaching him resilience and confidence. Plus a few skills. And he's earning good money for something he's saving for.

Do you have any relatives or friends who run a business of some kind - even if its just an Ebay or Vinted shop? I had two of my great nieces do some back office work in my antiques business. I was setting up on a new platform for the younger age group. Their input was really valuable in writing descriptions and picking age appropriate tags. They also helped with packing and during a photo shoot. They now have something to put on their CV and of course i will give them glowing references. Entirely different names so no clue that we are related.

Tried to motivate my then 15 yo SD to do this but she couldn't have been less interested and then her Mum waded in to say she mustn't talk to strangers. 🤦 Couldn't be more different to my brother and I who were both earning by that age at a princely sum of £3.65 at the local pharmacy or £5 per washed car. And yet, according to her Mum's side of the family and my in-laws, I'm the spoiled privileged princess. 😂

My 13 year old has been volunteering at a local dog kennels and groomers. She loves it