Volunteering for a 16 year old

[SunnySideUK77]

Hello,
I’m trying to find volunteering opportunities for my daughter this summer once she completes her GCSEs. I’ve been looking online but not finding a lot - can anyone suggest anything?
Are 16 year olds able to do anything like tutoring?
thank you?

Charity shops are a good shout as they also provide a retail reference.

Mine did their DofE and the voluntary bit was so tricky to fulfil, safeguarding and insurance limitations made it hard to find anything. charity shop & youth groups were the only ones we could find. Which is a shame as it would be nice to find a sector that relates to their chosen career. But, I get it. I think jobs and volunteering at that age are so good, you learn so much about people, work, society and respect for each other.
you may find some smaller animal charities accept 16 year olds.

Just seen you mention tutoring i am in an 11+ area and loads of 16-18 year olds are employed by the tutoring companies to carry it out, so could be worth contacting any tutoring companies in the area? a friends daughter did music instrument tutoring, again, local piano and flute teacher took her on.
holiday clubs are another that take them on if she wanted paid employment.

If you still have libraries in your area, they are often looking for volunteers to help with the Summer Reading Challenge.

Does your daughter play any sports or have hobbies/interests that could be useful in a holiday club setting? DS1 volunteered as a football coach for the local football club's holiday and after school courses, and they did all the DBS applications/checking as a matter of routine. Do you have any local charities that have an office nearby? DS2 volunteered once a week at one local to us to do data input - they found it invaluable and he gained confidence, experience and a lot of biscuits! Friend's child used to upload "valuable" items onto eBay for the local hospice charity shop once a week as the regular volunteers lacked the technical nous.

Thank you Oi hadn’t thought about 11+ tutoring so we’ll look into that

Thank you that would be a great opportunity!

She’s not very sporty but your other ideas sound like they’d be a good fit thank you!

Yes lots of red tape for this age group! But as you say worth pursuing as they learn a lot about the world and themselves!

My friend's 16 year old volunteered at the local food bank, but she was there at the same time as her mum so not sure if that made a difference!
I would also look at National Trust volunteering - they often have specific projects to get done over the summer months, but not sure if there is an age limit.

Dd volunteered with Summer Reading Challenge when she was about 14 so that would be a good place to try.

It’s frustrating isn’t it, I get why there’s red tape but this age group have so much to offer, they are an age group that needs to be kept busy.
it’s also a great way to instil work ethic, and respect for those in what can be considered lower status and pay jobs.

Thank you I’ve emailed our local libraries.

Because of another thread mentioning the good work of cinnamon trust I thought I’d have a look to see if it would suit me
anyway if your dd is 16 and likes animals it looks like she could volunteer
cinnamon.org.uk/how-can-you-support-the-trust/become-a-cinnamon-trust-volunteer/

Two of my dc volunteered at their old primary school after GCSEs. The school was very happy to have them as they came for the full day 5 days a week for the last 3-4w of the summer terms, a phenomenally busy time of the year. They were never left alone with children, but were incredibly useful during the show rehearsals and performances, as well as hearing readers and helping the TAs get ahead with getting the classrooms ready for the next academic years. One dc enjoyed it so much that they continued volunteering there once a week throughout Sixth Form.

Do you have any local museums with volunteers? Our local museum trust runs activities over the school summer holidays that want volunteer helpers.

Libraries usually do reading schemes run by volunteers, and may also offer shelf filling and customer service.

As someone who runs a volunteer led organisation, please don't send the emails, get her to do it. It doesn't set a good first example if someone wants a job (paid or otherwise) but has their mum doing all their leg work!

Library
Museums
Care homes

National trust
Kennels

Volunteering at your local Park Run: marshalling, token sorting etc.

She could be a young leader in scouting probably

Lots of great ideas here, but why are you doing all the leg work? I get giving encouragement and support, but surely half the point of volunteering is to build self confidence, self reliance and using initiative. DofE itself give great guidance for young people. I am often approached at work by parents looking for jobs for their children (even in their 20s). When I suggest the offspring are welcome to phone, write in for themselves or look at the vast amount of info on our website, I am met with puzzled looks.

My DD volunteers at a local Wildlife Rescue, she did it most weekends from 16 and then during her gap year and she will probably go this Summer as well.
She had to be 16 minimum for Insurance purposes

Totally agree with this. She needs to print out her CV and go to the local charity shops, food banks, libraries, museums and maybe even Hospices and ask herself.

Hospices might be an odd suggestion but when my DF was in one a lovely tern lad came around with the tea trolley a couple of times and made us all a much appreciated cuppa.

Thanks all. I agree that she needs to start taking the initiative herself! I’m going to get her to contact a local museum where I’ve heard there might be opportunities.