‘I didn’t realise that young people could have a voice – volunteering at GMYN changed that’

To mark Volunteers’ Week one of our former young people has shared how volunteering at GMYN has helped them to find their voice and given them the confidence to express their views and advocate for others while offering one-to-one support.

Scott was referred to GMYN by another youth organisation aged 20 and became a member of our Talent Match Youth Panel – a programme that aimed to give young people seeking work and facing long term unemployment a voice. 

Scott says: “I didn’t really realise at the time that young people could have a voice. GMYN is really important for young people, and it means a lot to me.”

Scott joined the Talent Match Youth Panel programme and then the Hidden Talent Youth Panel before later becoming a core member of our Youth Voice group.

As a member of the Youth Voice group Scott increased in confidence and gained several skills through the various programmes including teamwork, communication, problem solving and public speaking.

After Scott turned 25, they were keen to continue their involvement in GMYN and help other young people with similar experiences. Scott decided to volunteer at GMYN and took on a placement supporting our Changemakers Group, a Youth Voice group for young people who are disabled and neurodivergent. 

Scott, now 27, has become a key staff member on the project, advocating for young people and helping them to articulately share their views while also working one-to-one with people who need additional support and reporting back any safety or safeguarding concerns as part of staff de-briefs.

On what they enjoy about volunteering, Scott says: “There’s so much. I get to help people, which is the really important thing, I like helping people and connecting with people. I like to do something important and this feels really important.” 

Scott works with one young person in the group who is experiencing loneliness. They have long one-to-one conversations about gaming and Scott’s approachable nature and knowledge has been key to building their relationship.

Scott has also worked with group members who have anxiety, making them feel welcome and at ease in sessions. Scott’s one-one-one support means that staff leading the group can focus on facilitating the session and responding to the wider needs of the group.

As well as our Changemakers Group, Scott also supports GMYN’s MCR Social programme as a volunteer. 

MCR Social helps disabled and neurodivergent young people to access social activities including cinema, sports and gaming clubs across Manchester. At GMYN we arrange a volunteer to support the young person to travel to and from the activities and help ensure they can access all that Manchester has to offer, while meeting new people and making connections.

Scott’s commitment to volunteering has been fantastic and has made a real difference to both staff and the young people at GMYN. 

We offer a range of volunteering opportunities at GMYN from supporting football sessions to helping unaccompanied asylum-seeking children develop their English language skills. By volunteering for GMYN, you could help young people develop new skills, build their confidence and improve their physical and mental wellbeing. 

Find out more about volunteering for GMYN here