Volunteer Hub
TOC Youth Ambassador – Creative, Outdoor & Community Activities
Organisation Details
The Outdoor Collaborative
Sub theme: Education, Youth Work and Young People
Stellify Award: This opportunity is part of 'Make a Difference'
Organisation Description: The Outdoor Collaborative
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Supporting young people through outdoor experiences and creative digital learning in photography and filmmaking.
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Our Mission
We work with young people across Greater Manchester to build confidence, improve mental well-being, and develop practical skills through a combination of outdoor activities and creative digital projects. By engaging with nature and learning new techniques, our participants are inspired to explore their potential and discover new opportunities.
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What We Do
We deliver programmes that blend outdoor exploration with digital creativity. Our sessions are carefully designed to help young people:
• Build resilience and confidence through outdoor challenges
• Learn practical photography and filmmaking skills
• Improve well-being by connecting with nature
• Express themselves creatively and develop a sense of achievement
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Our Story
The Outdoor Collaborative was established in 2018 by a group of trustees from Saddleworth with a shared belief in the power of the outdoors. What started as local walks quickly evolved into a structured programme combining nature, creativity, and support for young people at risk of isolation or disconnection.
We’ve since developed partnerships with schools, youth groups, and local organisations to reach even more individuals, providing consistent and impactful support through our projects.
⸻
Our Approach
Our work is rooted in a simple but powerful idea: when young people are given the chance to learn, create, and reflect in natural environments, remarkable things happen. Participants leave our programmes with more than just new skills—they gain confidence, direction, and a deeper connection to the world around them.
The photographs and films they create are shared with potential employers, education providers, and the wider community—showcasing their talents and helping open doors for future development.
⸻
Supporting young people through outdoor experiences and creative digital learning in photography and filmmaking.
⸻
Our Mission
We work with young people across Greater Manchester to build confidence, improve mental well-being, and develop practical skills through a combination of outdoor activities and creative digital projects. By engaging with nature and learning new techniques, our participants are inspired to explore their potential and discover new opportunities.
⸻
What We Do
We deliver programmes that blend outdoor exploration with digital creativity. Our sessions are carefully designed to help young people:
• Build resilience and confidence through outdoor challenges
• Learn practical photography and filmmaking skills
• Improve well-being by connecting with nature
• Express themselves creatively and develop a sense of achievement
⸻
Our Story
The Outdoor Collaborative was established in 2018 by a group of trustees from Saddleworth with a shared belief in the power of the outdoors. What started as local walks quickly evolved into a structured programme combining nature, creativity, and support for young people at risk of isolation or disconnection.
We’ve since developed partnerships with schools, youth groups, and local organisations to reach even more individuals, providing consistent and impactful support through our projects.
⸻
Our Approach
Our work is rooted in a simple but powerful idea: when young people are given the chance to learn, create, and reflect in natural environments, remarkable things happen. Participants leave our programmes with more than just new skills—they gain confidence, direction, and a deeper connection to the world around them.
The photographs and films they create are shared with potential employers, education providers, and the wider community—showcasing their talents and helping open doors for future development.
Description of role: Join the TOC Youth Ambassador Programme 2026–2027 and use your creativity, communication and leadership skills to make a positive difference in Greater Manchester.
The Outdoor Collaborative (TOC) is a registered charity supporting young people through a combination of outdoor learning and digital creativity. Since 2018, we have used photography, filmmaking, creative activities and outdoor exploration to help young people build confidence, resilience, practical skills and stronger connections with their communities.
As a TOC Youth Ambassador, you will support our team in delivering youth activities, outdoor photography sessions, creative workshops and community events across Greater Manchester. The role is flexible and designed to work alongside university study.
1. What you may get involved in:
- Supporting young people during outdoor photography, filmmaking and creative workshops
- Helping facilitators prepare activities, equipment and event spaces
- Welcoming and encouraging young participants and helping create an inclusive environment
- Supporting TOC at community events, exhibitions and outreach activities
- Helping promote activities and engage with young people and community organisations
- Contributing ideas for future activities and youth programmes
- Working alongside other volunteers, youth organisations and community partners
You do not need professional photography or youth-work experience to join. We are looking for people who are positive, reliable and interested in supporting young people and their communities. An interest in photography, digital media, outdoor activities, education, youth work or community engagement would be especially welcome.
2. Develop as a Youth Ambassador
We want volunteering with TOC to support your own development too. Volunteers who show commitment and enthusiasm will have opportunities to progress into TOC Youth Ambassador responsibilities, including supporting activity planning, representing TOC at community events, helping newer volunteers and taking on greater leadership responsibilities.
3. What you will receive:
- Reimbursement of agreed travel expenses
- Refreshments during activities
- Induction, training and ongoing support from the TOC team
- An official TOC Youth Ambassador Certificate
- Opportunities to develop communication, teamwork, leadership and event organisation skills
- Priority access to selected TOC public activities
- Opportunities to connect with charities and community organisations across Greater Manchester
- Practical experience to strengthen your CV and future applications
Activities take place at different community and outdoor locations across Greater Manchester, primarily in Oldham. Dates and locations will be communicated in advance, and volunteers are not expected to attend every activity.
TOC is committed to safeguarding, inclusion and creating safe, supportive opportunities for both young people and volunteers. Relevant induction and safeguarding guidance will be provided before volunteers take part in activities.
The Outdoor Collaborative (TOC) is a registered charity supporting young people through a combination of outdoor learning and digital creativity. Since 2018, we have used photography, filmmaking, creative activities and outdoor exploration to help young people build confidence, resilience, practical skills and stronger connections with their communities.
As a TOC Youth Ambassador, you will support our team in delivering youth activities, outdoor photography sessions, creative workshops and community events across Greater Manchester. The role is flexible and designed to work alongside university study.
1. What you may get involved in:
- Supporting young people during outdoor photography, filmmaking and creative workshops
- Helping facilitators prepare activities, equipment and event spaces
- Welcoming and encouraging young participants and helping create an inclusive environment
- Supporting TOC at community events, exhibitions and outreach activities
- Helping promote activities and engage with young people and community organisations
- Contributing ideas for future activities and youth programmes
- Working alongside other volunteers, youth organisations and community partners
You do not need professional photography or youth-work experience to join. We are looking for people who are positive, reliable and interested in supporting young people and their communities. An interest in photography, digital media, outdoor activities, education, youth work or community engagement would be especially welcome.
2. Develop as a Youth Ambassador
We want volunteering with TOC to support your own development too. Volunteers who show commitment and enthusiasm will have opportunities to progress into TOC Youth Ambassador responsibilities, including supporting activity planning, representing TOC at community events, helping newer volunteers and taking on greater leadership responsibilities.
3. What you will receive:
- Reimbursement of agreed travel expenses
- Refreshments during activities
- Induction, training and ongoing support from the TOC team
- An official TOC Youth Ambassador Certificate
- Opportunities to develop communication, teamwork, leadership and event organisation skills
- Priority access to selected TOC public activities
- Opportunities to connect with charities and community organisations across Greater Manchester
- Practical experience to strengthen your CV and future applications
Activities take place at different community and outdoor locations across Greater Manchester, primarily in Oldham. Dates and locations will be communicated in advance, and volunteers are not expected to attend every activity.
TOC is committed to safeguarding, inclusion and creating safe, supportive opportunities for both young people and volunteers. Relevant induction and safeguarding guidance will be provided before volunteers take part in activities.
Skills / qualities associated with the role: Creative Skills, Event Planning, Oral Communication Skills, Team Working
Are volunteer expenses available?: Yes
Duration of role: Ongoing / Long term
Opportunity times: Monday Afternoon, Tuesday Afternoon, Wednesday Afternoon, Thursday Afternoon, Friday Afternoon, Saturday Morning, Saturday Afternoon, Sunday Morning, Sunday Afternoon
DBS required: On
Can reasonable adjustments be made regarding additional needs?: Yes
Is this organisation part of the Sports Volunteering Scheme (SVS)?: No
Minimum hours commitment: Around 4 hours per month; Depends on the role
Location:
Greater Manchester
Oldham