We operate under a safe space policy which ensures our opportunities are welcoming to all and reinforces our zero tolerance for any forms of discrimination, bullying and/or harassment.

We are no longer accepting applications for this academic year. However, our applications will reopen in August for the academic year 23-24. You can register your interest for our projects here!

Empower, inspire, cultivate and lead the next generation of young people to reach their true potiental.

What is Empower and Empower Arts?

Empower is a Empowerment Mentoring Programme which aims to inspire and empower young people in secondary schools across London. It is aimed to boosts the confidence and self-esteem of young people by pairing them with a University Student.

Empower Arts is a new branch of Empower that is being piloted this year. Empower Arts will have the same elements of Mentoring as Empower but will utilise mixed-media arts to engage young people in these conversations.

Your role as a mentor is to work 1:1 with a student through a range of different topics e.g. career planning, exam stress and goal setting. To help give them the belief and confidence to achieve their goals, the skills to help with their academic studies and raise their expectations!

Volunteer commitment

Volunteering takes place from November to March (in term time) and the sessions are fortnightly. We recruit students at two different times across the academic year (September and Janaury). Volunteers starting from February onwards will be delviering their sessions weekly instead.

What we would expect of you is to commit to your time and to be consistent to ensure a positive impact on the lives of the mentees.

Skills and employability

Communication, empathy, dedication, safeguarding, leadership, working with children with complex needs, pastoral support of children, flexibility, time management and school liaison are all skills you will gain by taking part in Empower. This volunteering opportunity is excellent for anyone who wants experience working in schools and with young people, is exploring a career in education/youth work or is passionate about empowerment.

Upon the successful completion of the project you will receive:

Training and support

All of our Programmes are supported by our staff team and student committee. As part of Empower, you will be supported by the Empower Coordinator and the Kingston Hub's Projects Officer.

The Coordinator and staff team will be leading on your selection workshop, initial training and additional training provision (behaviour management, routes into education etc.) throughout your placement, as well as any issues with your school placement. The staff team will be in touch with you during your placement to get mid-year and end of year feedback, which is required from all volunteers. Volunteers will also be debriefed about any issues with their mentee which they may want the school to support or follow up from.

Reasonable adjustments

Empower is committed to being an inclusive programme, and encourages all students to get involved. We can make reasonable adjustments to application processes, selection workshops, training sessions, your volunteering placement, and other activities on a case-by-case basis. We also provide ongoing support for the students we work with, so if you have particular accessibility needs, including if you want to disclose a disability or special educational needs, please do get in touch with Emily at emily.hill@kingstonhub.org and let us know how we can make the activity more accessible.

Volunteering with Empower won't cost you

We reimburse all Kingston Hub volunteers' travel expenses throughout the project.

Why not volunteer with a friend?

Volunteering for Kingston Hub is social and you'll have the chance to meet many like-minded people, but why not ask a friend to sign up with you too?

What are the next steps

1. Fill in the Application Form.
2. You'll receive all the training you need to get started and be matched with a student.
3. Spend the next couple of months making an impact, developing skills and experience, meeting new people and having fun!

The Kingston Award helps you to build, identify and reflect on the skills you develop when you get involved in different activities so that you can confidently communicate these to future employers and stand out in the job market. Taking part in Kingston Hub volunteering helps you build your Kingston Award – why not submit your reflections and boost your employability right away. We strongly encourage applications from BME individuals and other under-represented groups.

Questions

Email emily.hill@kingstonhub.org who will be able to answer any questions and direct you for any further help and support. You can also check out other youth projects over on our What's On