At Madeley Academy, we believe that everyone has something to offer and encourage students to get involved in volunteering, particularly in the Sixth Form, when they are preparing for university or working life.
Students volunteer for all kinds of reasons. It may be to:
For many of our students volunteering can be a route to employment, or a chance to try something new which may lead to a new career pathway. From this perspective, volunteering can be a way of:
Did you know?
A recent survey by Reed Employment showed that 73% of employers would favour someone who had volunteered over someone who hadn’t.
Can children volunteer?
Many children like the idea of volunteering but as children under 14 are not supposed to work at all, regardless of whether they are being paid or not, finding voluntary work for anyone under this age can be difficult. But just because they cannot carry out organised volunteering does not mean children cannot help society – there are plenty of less structured ways children of all ages can get involved.
Perhaps the biggest organisation for children who want to volunteer is the scouts, guides or any of the younger groups associated with them. As well as giving children the opportunity to volunteer in a safe and well-run environment, scouts and guides also teaches children valuable life skills they will need when working – voluntary or paid.
Although not technically volunteering, sponsored events are a great way of children being allowed to help others through ways which use their skills. At Madeley Academy, we encourage students to take part in sponsored events, raising money for others who are less fortunate .We feel this teaches students a lot about responsibility and working for a result, as well as illustrating how charities support disadvantaged people all over the world.
There are plenty of organised schemes for teenagers who want to volunteer. Once a child reaches 14, they may want to go directly to a charity or join an organised scheme such as the Duke of Edinburgh Award or the National Citizen Service. Both these schemes are offered and promoted at Madeley Academy and required young people to commit to completing a certain number of hours of voluntary work.
Sixth Form Students at Madeley Academy have the unique opportunity of being able to volunteer at the Princess Royal Hospital Telford or Royal Shrewsbury Hospital as part of the NHS Young Volunteers Scheme.
If you would like to find out more about becoming an NHS volunteer, please speak to the Careers Department.
Specific Volunteering Opportunities in Telford (Under 18)
**Street Champion Family Scheme**Young people can volunteer alongside parents/guardians to support their local community.Telford & Wrekin Council – Street Champions
Youth Health Champions (Ages 13–18)Promotes health and well-being among peers through youth-led initiatives.Telford & Wrekin – Youth Health Champions
Barnardo’s Telford Youth Group (Ages 10–25)Focuses on mental health, social support, and essential needs for young people.Barnardo’s Youth Services
British Red Cross (Ages 15+)Offers youth-friendly roles including first aid, retail, and peer education.British Red Cross – Volunteering
League of Friends Shop Volunteers (Ages 16+)Supports Princess Royal Hospital by helping in retail shops and cafés.League of Friends PRH
General Volunteering Platforms & Programs
Volunteer TelfordLocal platform listing various volunteering opportunities, including those suitable for youth.Volunteer Telford
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE)Volunteering is one of the main components, often through local charities like the British Heart Foundation.DofE Volunteering
National Citizen Service (NCS)A structured personal development program for 16–17?year-olds, including volunteering projects.NCS – National Citizen Service