Project Host: The YMCA Fairthorne Group operates throughout Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton from 30 venues. Their programmes include 14 early years settings, school holiday day camps, community activities, residential centres, camping and housing for young people.

Volunteer Work: YMCA Fairthorne is a vast, natural, outdoor environment where memories are made to last a lifetime, adventures are found around every corner and you have the chance to deliver life changing experiences. They are offering international volunteers the opportunity to run a variety of activities with children and will provide you with valuable experience and training.

Every year they welcome thousands of visitors to the manor’s 94 acre site on the south coast of England. The site includes vast grounds, mature woodland, a lake, access to the River Hamble and a range of exciting outdoor activities. Fairthorne is a place of firsts – from toddlers walking, kids splashing in the mud, being away from home, trying new activities or a school trip to remember. Enabling young people to grow and thrive is only made possible with the help of top-notch volunteers from around the globe.

The role of Volunteer Leader offers an experience that really embodies YMCA values:
Welcoming, Active, Listening, Inspiring, Caring, Exciting
You will lead activities and games, get involved in evening entertainment, ensure smooth running of our dining room, singing at campfire, be a pro at ‘doing the YMCA’ dance routine and generally make a huge difference to our community! Behind the scenes you may get involved in any area of our large operation, from helping to look after our beautiful woodland and grassland areas, maintain activities, putting up tents, helping out in the kitchen, making beds and much, much more.

YMCA wants you as a volunteer if you…
Know how to have fun
Want to make friends from all over the world
Love being outside come rain or shine
Enjoy inspiring children and young people and have some experience of this
Want to learn new skills and improve the amazing ones you already have
Have a good level of English
Like the idea of no two days being the same
Love the idea of making every visit to Fairthorne special and one to remember

What you get in return…
Full training and development opportunities
3 meals a day
Free accommodation in tents with bedding provided
Branded t-shirts
Loads of fun in the great outdoors and the chance to build friendships that last for a lifetime
Learn new skills to stand you in good stead for many careers
Chance to improve day to day English conversation skills
The opportunity to learn about, and be part of, a huge international YMCA movement
Fun staff and volunteer social events
2 days off for every 5 worked to enable you to experience UK culture

Accommodation and Food: Accommodation is in tents with bedding provided. Food is canteen- style with a limited choice, but with a vegetarian option. 3 meals a day are provided, which includes a cooked breakfast and / or cereals, lunch and a cooked evening meal. Meals are at set times.

Location and Leisure: YMCA Fairthorne encourage all volunteers to take the chance to get out and explore the UK. It is less than 2 hours from London with a local train station. Situated in a 94-acre site in Botley, it truly is a stunning landscape where volunteers can enjoy nature. It is close to Southampton which is one of the biggest Cities on the South Coast where volunteers can explore and enjoy the following:
Visit the Solent Sky Museum
The theatre
Southampton Football Club - Go to a game!
Visit the Tudor houses
Travel to Stonehenge

Documents and Application: To apply a Volunteer Engagement Form (VEF) is required. YMCA ask you to complete a brief application form. They require an online interview with you. If offered the placement you will need good conversational English, 2 two professional references from a recent school/ college or employer and a police check. ETA/VISA, volunteer agreement, passport, arrival and departure details, medical and dietary requirements, media consent or not.

Travel Information:
A lift to the site is provided from Botley Rail station by the host.