YMCA FAIRTHORNE MANOR LEAD SPECIAL NEEDS

During the school holidays the style of work changes. You will experience Daycamps at Easter and half term and our huge summer day camp over 6 weeks in the summer. Children come in busloads from towns, villages and cities to experience a range of outdoor activities plus crafts, games and drama, to name but a few. We cater for up to 600 children each day with some groups staying on site overnight in tents. A considerable amount of work takes place away from Fairthorne Manor, including youth projects, childrens work in Dorset, the delivery of childrens after school clubs, supported housing for 16-25 year olds, nurseries and our residential centre on the Isle of Wight. During your stay you will get involved with some of these projects, giving you an opportunity to see some of our local communities and meet some of the local children and young people.Your work here will certainly be varied, but generally you will be leading activity sessions for children and young people, helping them achieve new challenges and have fun This is a physically demanding job (should you have additional needs we are able to make reasonable adjustments) and you will be working hard whilst you are here. Its a very busy place The Centre operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so come prepared for a hectic but enjoyable time.In addition to the running of activities you will also be expected to contribute to the running of the centre in other ways. This will include working as part of the estate team, housekeeping team or providing a helping hand in the kitchen for a week. It is the estate teams responsibility to take care of the maintenance of the centre and this can include suchtasks as putting up marquees (big tents) and maintaining the equipment. Sometimes you get to help out in other areas such as nursery or reception.Volunteer profile: -An outgoing and friendly personality, able to communicate well and engage a wide range of people, including children, staff and group leaders.-A genuine enthusiasm for working with children -A genuine enthusiasm for the work of the organisation.-An aptitude for and interest in a wide range of sports.-Willingness to learn new skills and undergo training.-As this post involves working with children and living on site, all applicants must be aged between 18-30 years old.ResponsibilitiesAs a Lead International Volunteer your main responsibilities will be:-Being a welcoming and caring individual and an inspirational role model -Actively engaging all customers, providing encouragement and support -Working with and respecting others in a large and diverse team -Being responsible for customers welfare and pastoral needs during their stay -Assist in the delivery of the varying activities/events hosted and amp; run by Fairthorne Manor, to include activity leading, site maintenance, housekeeping, catering, marshalling and other tasks to ensure a high quality experience for the customers -Take the lead in a designated area of responsibility Special Needs -Be a role model of good practice and behavior to other Volunteers and staff and support them where necessary -Be part of the duty system. Tasks include serving meals to the groups, liaising with group leaders and responding to any issues. -Be aware of, and put into practice, all Health and Safety regulations and act in the interests of your own safety and amp; the safety of others at all times -Have a working knowledge of Fairthorne Manor -Is operational policies and ensure the correct and safe use of appropriate equipment. -To follow YMCA Fairthorne Groups Safe Guarding, Child Protection and Safer Working practice policies at all times. Taking any concerns regarding health and/or wellbeing to your line manager or senior management -Anything else reasonably requested by the management of the organisationWorking Hours: You will normally work six days per week, some weeks you may be required to work around 50 hours, but your average should be no more than 45 hours per week.