Young volunteers can also help organisations develop their next generation of volunteers, staff and trustees, while giving young people valuable opportunities to build confidence, skills and experience.

The good news is that there is no general legal minimum age for volunteering with charities and community organisations. Many already welcome volunteers aged 14–17, including young people working towards their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

So, if your organisation currently only accepts volunteers aged 18 and over, could it be time to reconsider?

Not every volunteering role will be suitable for someone under 18, but there may be opportunities that could be adapted or developed specifically for younger people.

Welcoming younger volunteers does require some additional considerations, including appropriate safeguarding arrangements, supervision, risk assessments, parental consent where appropriate and checking that your insurance covers younger age groups. However, these needn’t automatically be barriers to getting started.

If you’d like to welcome younger volunteers but aren’t sure where to begin, we’re here to help. Whether you need advice on your existing policies, want to review the minimum age for your current roles or would like to explore new opportunities for young people, get in touch with us at support@volunteeringdorset.org.uk.