Volunteer Hub
Activity Facilitator - Afterschool Volunteering at Willowbank Shelter 2026/27 (SA SU 26-27)
Organisation Details
Student Action - Willowbank (Children's Project)
Sub theme: Children, Homeless and Housing, Youth Work and Young People
Stellify Award: This opportunity is part of 'Make a Difference'
Organisation Description: The Willowbank Project runs weekly childcare sessions for homeless and refugee children at Willowbank shelter in Fallowfield.
Description of role: About the project:
The Willowbank Project operates at the Willowbank shelter in Fallowfield, which provides temporary housing for homeless and refugee families. We run a weekly two-hour childcare session (increasing to twice weekly in Semester 2) where a team of volunteers runs fun, creative activities for young children (e.g. painting, cake decorating, gardening, movie nights, homework help) while giving their parents some respite. The shelter’s address is centrally located in Fallowfield making it very easy to access from the University, the City Centre, Victoria Park, Fallowfield, and Withington.
Your role as an Activity Facilitator:
- Leading the two-hour session on the day
- Supervising a team of 3–4 volunteers per session
- Planning upcoming activities with the rest of the committee
- Purchasing materials for sessions (costs are reimbursed promptly)
- Complete all necessary training prior to commencing
About the role:
As an Activity Facilitator you will join the committee of the Willowbank Children's Project, so the role counts towards both the 'Step Up and Lead' and 'Make a Difference' components of the Stellify Award. We ask for a minimum of two sessions per month, rising to three per month in Semester 2 when sessions increase to twice weekly.
For your application:
Please answer the following in bullet points of roughly 10–20 words each, using a separate bullet for each example or point you make. (If you have no experience for any particular bullet point, please tell us about other relevant experiences or why you feel suited to this role)
- Your previous leadership experience
- Your experience leading a group of people
- Any previous experience working with children.
- Whether you can commit to two or three sessions a month
- Anything you're unsure or concerned about that we could support you with before you start your role
How to contact us:
Should you require any more information, please contact us at willowbank@manchesterstudentsunion.com or follow us on Instagram @willowbankprojectuom. We look forward to hearing from you! :)
The Willowbank Project operates at the Willowbank shelter in Fallowfield, which provides temporary housing for homeless and refugee families. We run a weekly two-hour childcare session (increasing to twice weekly in Semester 2) where a team of volunteers runs fun, creative activities for young children (e.g. painting, cake decorating, gardening, movie nights, homework help) while giving their parents some respite. The shelter’s address is centrally located in Fallowfield making it very easy to access from the University, the City Centre, Victoria Park, Fallowfield, and Withington.
Your role as an Activity Facilitator:
- Leading the two-hour session on the day
- Supervising a team of 3–4 volunteers per session
- Planning upcoming activities with the rest of the committee
- Purchasing materials for sessions (costs are reimbursed promptly)
- Complete all necessary training prior to commencing
About the role:
As an Activity Facilitator you will join the committee of the Willowbank Children's Project, so the role counts towards both the 'Step Up and Lead' and 'Make a Difference' components of the Stellify Award. We ask for a minimum of two sessions per month, rising to three per month in Semester 2 when sessions increase to twice weekly.
For your application:
Please answer the following in bullet points of roughly 10–20 words each, using a separate bullet for each example or point you make. (If you have no experience for any particular bullet point, please tell us about other relevant experiences or why you feel suited to this role)
- Your previous leadership experience
- Your experience leading a group of people
- Any previous experience working with children.
- Whether you can commit to two or three sessions a month
- Anything you're unsure or concerned about that we could support you with before you start your role
How to contact us:
Should you require any more information, please contact us at willowbank@manchesterstudentsunion.com or follow us on Instagram @willowbankprojectuom. We look forward to hearing from you! :)
Skills / qualities associated with the role: Creative Skills, Event Planning, Leadership, Oral Communication Skills, Practical Skills, Project Management, Team Working
Are volunteer expenses available?: Yes
Duration of role: Ongoing / Long term
Opportunity times: Monday Evening
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: You must commit to leading at least two volunteering sessions per month. Each volunteering session will be two hours long.
Location:
2 Willow Bank
Manchester
M14 6XP