Volunteering

Tees Valley YMCA delivers targeted youth services across Darlington to support children and young people aged 10 to 25 experiencing significant challenges such as deprivation, isolation, low self-esteem, anxiety, trauma, bereavement, and bullying.

Through community-based interventions including structured activities, workshops, support sessions, and mentoring, the project promotes engagement and supports personal development. We work collaboratively with local partners to extend our reach, generate referrals, and positively impact young people across the region.

Youth Work volunteers at Tees Valley YMCA play a vital role in improving outcomes for young people across Darlington. By supporting structured activities, workshops, and one-to-one interventions, volunteers help foster personal development, promote emotional resilience, and encourage positive life choices. Their engagement enhances access to support services, reduces the risk of antisocial behaviour, and contributes to improved physical and mental wellbeing.

At a broader level, volunteer involvement strengthens community cohesion by promoting inclusion, reducing social inequalities, and supporting safer, more engaged neighborhood’s. Volunteers also serve as positive role models, contributing to a culture of trust, empowerment, and long-term transformation for vulnerable young people and the communities in which they live.

Our Approach As part of the Darlington Local Youth Partnership and VCSE sector, we aim to reduce social, economic, and health inequalities and address youth offending through holistic, empathetic support.

We are actively seeking volunteers to support our open-access youth service; delivering activities at our weekly youth sessions and engaging with young people.

Our volunteers will in turn receive full YMCA training, access to external training opportunities, experience working with young people aog with ongoing support and supervision.

Delivery includes:

• Workshops addressing anxiety, mental health, sexual health, gambling awareness, anger, safety, and substance misuse
• Sessions supporting healthy relationships, social-emotional skills, and resilience
• Group activities such as sport, arts, and social events alongside one-to-one mentoring
• Engagement with families and schools to provide support during key transitions

Volunteer Involvement Volunteers are integral to the success of the project. Their contribution in sessions, engagement, logistics, and role modelling enhances service delivery, broadens impact, and creates a safe, inclusive environment for young people to grow and thrive.

For more information or if you would like to get involved, please contact us on: 01352 462 452 ext 24 or drop us a message on one of our socials.

YMCA Tees Valley

YMCA Tees Valley