Volunteer with MDYH
Here is exactly what happens when you volunteer with us
No guesswork. No surprises. Just a clear, supported path from your first conversation to making a real difference for young people in Milton Keynes.
7
Simple stages
from enquiry to delivery
4
Volunteer roles
to suit your availability
5
Community centres
across Milton Keynes
Free
DBS check
covered by FYMK
Choose your role
Six ways to be involved
Pick the role you would like to explore. The deep-dive below and the journey map further down update automatically to match.
Mentor
1-2 hrs/week
Enhanced DBS required
Digital Skills Volunteer
Flexible sessions
DBS required
Workshop Facilitator
Defined sessions only
DBS required
Event Volunteer
One-off or seasonal
DBS at discretion
Partner Organisation
Flexible engagement
Work experience
Family and Community
Open to all
No DBS required
Safety is central to everything
We work with young people aged 13 to 24. A DBS check and safeguarding induction are required for all roles involving direct contact. We arrange and cover the cost of your DBS.
You will not be on your own
Every volunteer is supervised by a named member of staff. You will have a monthly check-in, a clear escalation pathway, and a team around you at every session.
You will see the difference you make
Our digital programme tracks learner progress. We will share personalised impact updates with you so you can see, in real terms, what your time is contributing.
Role deep-dive
Everything you need to know, side by side
Below, each role has its own set of details: focus, what you will develop, how a session flows, a realistic scenario, and where the fit works well.
Volunteer role
Mentor
You build a sustained, trusted relationship with one young person, meeting them consistently over weeks and months to support their confidence, goals, and digital journey.
- 1–2 hrs/week
- Your assigned family centre
- Enhanced DBS required
- 45-min values interview
Your focus
- One-to-one relationship with a young person aged 13–24
- Building their confidence in digital skills and future aspirations
- Consistent presence: you are a reliable, trusted adult in their week
- Goal-setting and gentle accountability each session
What you will develop
- Active listening and coaching skills
- Understanding of youth development and safeguarding in practice
- Experience recognised by employers in education, social care, and tech
- Personal satisfaction that comes from watching someone grow
Boundaries and support
- You never meet a young person outside the family centre without staff present
- No personal contact details are exchanged
- Any disclosure is handled through Uzo (DSL); you are never alone
- Monthly check-ins exist specifically to support you, not just the mentee
How each session flows
01
Before you meet
02
Your session
03
Brief log
04
Monthly check-in
This role suits you if...
- You can commit to the same time each week for at least a term
- You are comfortable with emotional conversations without trying to fix everything
- You are patient, because progress is real but rarely instant
- You want a role with genuine depth and relationship
Consider another role if...
- Your schedule is unpredictable week to week
- You would find it hard to maintain professional boundaries with young people
- You are looking for a one-off or very occasional commitment
Volunteer role
Digital Skills Volunteer
You work alongside young people and parents or carers during MDYH sessions, providing hands-on help as they work through digital skills content. You are the difference between someone getting stuck and someone getting it.
- Flexible sessions
- Across MK family centres
- DBS required
- Digital baseline check
Your focus
- In-session, hands-on support for learners working through MDYH digital modules
- Working with diverse learners: young people aged 13–24 and parents or carers
- Translating technical concepts into plain, accessible language
- Recognising when someone needs encouragement rather than instruction
What you will develop
- Teaching and communication skills across age groups and confidence levels
- Deepened understanding of digital literacy frameworks
- Experience in community and non-formal education settings
- A strong addition to a CV in tech, education, or social impact roles
Tools and prep
- We carry out a brief digital baseline check before your first session
- You receive a session guide in advance so you know what will be covered
- Access to the MDYH learning platform to familiarise yourself with the content
- A lead facilitator is always present; you are support, not lead
How each session flows
01
Pre-session brief
02
In the session
03
Wrap-up
04
Quick debrief
This role suits you if...
- You are reasonably comfortable with everyday digital tools and the internet
- You enjoy explaining things in simple, patient terms
- You want a flexible role tied to specific sessions rather than a weekly commitment
- You are good at reading a room and spotting who needs help without being asked
Consider another role if...
- You have very limited digital confidence yourself, though we can help build it
- You prefer a structured, prepared delivery role rather than reactive support
- You would struggle to adapt quickly to different learners in the same session
Volunteer role
Workshop Facilitator
You plan and deliver a defined workshop or session within the MDYH programme, drawing on your own expertise or experience. This is a prepared, scoped role: closer to guest delivery than ongoing commitment.
- Defined sessions only
- Varies by session
- DBS required
- Session briefing provided
Your focus
- Delivering a specific, planned session within the MDYH curriculum
- Bringing real-world expertise: employability, creative tech, digital business, cybersecurity, and more
- Making content relevant and engaging for young people and parents or carers
- Working to defined learning outcomes, not an open brief
What you will develop
- Facilitation and public-speaking confidence with diverse community audiences
- Ability to translate professional expertise into accessible learning
- Experience of non-formal education in a community setting
- Tangible social impact from your professional knowledge
What we provide
- A clear session brief with learning outcomes, audience profile, and timing
- Existing slide templates and materials you can adapt
- AV equipment and venue set up at the family centre
- A Digital Skills Volunteer volunteer in the room to help with any learner needs
How each session flows
01
Prep (in advance)
02
Arrive and set up
03
Deliver your session
04
Debrief
This role suits you if...
- You have professional or lived expertise in a digital or employability field
- You can commit to specific scheduled sessions but not ongoing weekly time
- You are comfortable presenting to a group and handling questions
- You want a well-structured role with clear preparation and support
Consider another role if...
- You prefer informal, reactive support over prepared delivery
- You have no particular area of expertise to offer as session content
- Groups and public speaking feel uncomfortable for you right now
Volunteer role
Event Volunteer
You support MDYH events, community showcases, and programme milestones. This is the most flexible volunteering option: time-limited, clearly scoped, and a great way to get involved before committing to a regular role.
- One-off or seasonal
- Varies by event
- DBS at discretion
- Pre-event briefing provided
Your focus
- Practical, logistical support on the day: registration, wayfinding, activity support
- Creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere for young people and their families
- Being a visible, friendly face for MDYH in the community
- Supporting the wider team so delivery staff can focus on participants
What you will gain
- A genuine feel for what MDYH does and who it serves
- Event coordination and community engagement experience
- The chance to decide whether a more regular role is right for you
- Connection to a community of people who care about MK’s young people
Types of events
- Programme launch and showcase events at MK City Council family centres
- Digital skills taster days for schools and families
- Community outreach pop-ups in the four priority wards
- Learner celebration and graduation events marking programme milestones
How each session flows
01
Briefing pack
02
Set up
03
On the day
04
Pack down
This role suits you if...
- You want to help but cannot commit to a regular weekly slot
- You are friendly, reliable, and good with people in busy environments
- You want to try volunteering with FYMK before taking on a more involved role
- You enjoy the energy of live events and community gatherings
Consider another role if...
- You want to build an ongoing relationship with specific young people
- You have a particular skill or expertise you want to put to direct use
- You prefer a quiet, structured environment over a busy event setting
Engagement route
Partner Organisation
Collaborate with Fresh Youth MK on the MDYH programme by offering work experience placements, workplace visits, or sector insights. You connect young people to real opportunities and help bridge the gap between digital learning and employment.
- Flexible engagement
- Milton Keynes and remote
- No DBS required
- Regional careers network partner
Your offer
- Work experience placements: one week or split days, structured or shadowing
- Workplace visits for groups of 4 to 12 young people
- Industry talks delivered in person at a family centre or virtually
- Mock interview panels, CV reviews, or careers Q&A sessions
What you gain
- Measurable social impact linked directly to your organisation
- Access to a diverse pipeline of young talent aged 13 to 24, including young people who are not in education, employment, or training (NEET) and are actively working to change that
- Named inclusion in FYMK impact reporting to funders
- Connection to a regional careers network spanning Milton Keynes and the wider South Midlands area
What we handle
- Full preparation of learners before any employer engagement
- Safeguarding oversight: a DBS-cleared FYMK staff member attends all in-person sessions
- All logistics, scheduling, and learner communications
- Post-engagement impact reporting to share with your team
How each session flows
01
Initial conversation
02
Agree the offer
03
Meet the learners
04
Shared outcomes
This role suits you if...
- You operate in a digital, creative, tech, or employability-related sector
- You have capacity for at least one engagement per programme term
- You want genuine community impact, not just a logo on a poster
- You can host or facilitate young people in a professional environment
Consider another role if...
- You are unsure what type of engagement fits your capacity
- Your workplace has access restrictions that may affect visits
- You would like to co-design something bespoke with the MDYH team
Community engagement
Family and Community
Parents, carers, and community members are an essential part of the MDYH programme. You can access digital skills sessions directly, refer a young person, or help spread the word across your ward and network.
- Open to all
- New Bradwell, Stantonbury, Woughton, Bletchley East
- No DBS required
For parents and carers
- Attend dedicated digital confidence sessions alongside other parents and carers
- Learn skills that help you support your child’s learning at home
- No prior digital experience needed; sessions start from the basics
- Sessions are free and held at accessible MK City Council family centres
Referring a young person
- If you know a young person aged 13 to 24 who would benefit, refer them directly
- FYMK will make contact, explain the programme, and handle enrolment
- Priority is given to young people in the four MDYH wards, particularly those who are not currently in education, employment, or training (NEET)
- No forms to fill on behalf of the young person; we take it from there
Spreading the word
- Share information about MDYH with your community, mosque, church, or school
- Help FYMK reach families who may not know the programme exists
- Attend community showcase events and bring others along
- Your network is one of the most powerful ways the programme grows
How each session flows
01
Hear about us
02
Get in touch
03
Join a session
04
Spread the word
This role suits you if...
- You are a parent, carer, or community member in or near one of the four MDYH wards
- You want to build your own digital confidence alongside your family
- You know a young person aged 13 to 24 who would benefit, including those who are NEET and may not know where to turn
- You want to help spread the word within your community network
Consider another role if...
- MDYH sessions are currently available in the four priority wards; speak to us if you are nearby but outside these areas
- Sessions for parents and carers are scheduled separately from young people’s cohorts
- All sessions are free; there is no cost to attend
The Journey
Your journey, step by step
Click any stage to find out what to expect. The details tailor to your chosen role where it matters.
What happens
- You might hear about us through church, school, a friend, or find us online.
- You browse our website or the Curriculum Pathway Finder to understand what MDYH is.
- You can have an informal conversation with Kay or any FYMK team member: no pressure, no commitment.
What to expect from us
- A clear description of each volunteer role and what it actually involves day-to-day.
- Honest answers about time commitment, DBS requirements, and what the programme delivers.
- A warm welcome regardless of your background or experience level.
✓ Good to knowYou do not need any formal qualifications to volunteer with MDYH. What matters most is that you care about young people and want to support them. We will train you in everything else.
What the form asks
- Which volunteer role interests you (you can indicate more than one).
- Your availability and how many hours a week you can offer.
- A little about your motivation and any relevant experience (paid or voluntary).
What happens next
- You will receive an acknowledgement confirming we have your form.
- Our Project Manager will be in touch within a few days to arrange a conversation.
- No decision is made at this stage; it is simply the start of a conversation.
✓ Good to knowYou do not need a polished CV or a long letter. The form is straightforward and should take about 10 minutes. If you are not sure which role is right for you, say so and we can talk it through.
What we talk about
- Why you want to volunteer with young people and what draws you to MDYH specifically.
- Any previous experience working with young people or in community settings.
- What professional boundaries mean to you, and how you would handle a concern about a young person’s safety.
How it works
- It can be in person at one of our family centres, or by video call, whichever works for you.
- There will be at least two people from FYMK to ensure the conversation is fair.
- You will be told the outcome, and given specific feedback if you are not selected.
✓ Good to knowThere is a mandatory safeguarding question in every conversation. Do not worry if you are not an expert; we are looking for awareness and a willingness to learn, not a rehearsed answer. We will always discuss a scenario with you rather than quiz you cold.
Note for mentor volunteers: For mentors: This conversation is slightly longer (around 45 minutes) because the mentoring relationship involves sustained one-to-one contact with a young person. We take extra care to understand your values and approach to boundary-setting.
The DBS check
- A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is required for all roles involving direct contact with young people.
- FYMK arranges and covers the full cost of your DBS check; there is nothing for you to pay.
- Not all previous convictions are disqualifying. If you have a concern, speak to us confidentially; we handle all disclosures with care and without assumption.
Safeguarding induction
- A minimum 3-hour session covering the types of harm to be aware of, how to spot concern, and exactly what to do if a young person discloses something to you.
- Delivered by our Designated Safeguarding Lead, Uzo Nwuga, who holds a Level 3 qualification.
- You also sign a volunteer agreement covering your role, conduct, data responsibilities, and your right to step back at any time.
✓ Good to knowThe 2–4 week wait for a DBS result is normal. Your Safeguarding Lead will keep you updated on progress so you are never left wondering where things stand. We schedule your induction in parallel so there is no unnecessary delay.
Note for event volunteers: For event volunteers: A DBS check may not always be required for your role if you will not have unsupervised contact with young people. Our Safeguarding Lead will confirm what applies to you based on the specific event.
What we cover
- A clear briefing on your specific role, what a typical session looks like, and what is expected of you.
- Introduction to our learning management system, the digital tool you will use to support and track learner progress. Do not worry if you are not very technical; we walk you through it.
- A visit to your assigned community centre so nothing is unfamiliar on your first day.
Who you meet
- Your Project Manager, who oversees your role and is your first point of contact.
- The Digital Skills Lead, who manages MDYH delivery and can answer questions about the curriculum.
- The Children’s Centre manager at your assigned venue, so you feel welcomed and know who is responsible for the building.
✓ Good to knowYou will never be left to run a session on your own without support. Onboarding is designed so that your first actual session with young people feels like a continuation of something you have already practised, not a leap into the unknown.
What your sessions involve
- Facilitating or co-facilitating digital skills sessions with young people aged 13–24 and parents or carers.
- Recording attendance and observations in the learning system after each session: simple, brief, and purposeful.
- Building relationships with the young people in your cohort over time.
The support around you
- A monthly check-in with your Project Manager: not a tick-box but a genuine conversation about how you are finding it.
- Direct access to the Safeguarding Lead at any point if something gives you concern.
- A peer volunteer network and delivery staff at every session; you are part of a team.
✓ Good to knowIf sessions ever feel emotionally heavy, as some of our young people face real challenges, that is what your monthly check-in is for. We take volunteer wellbeing as seriously as learner wellbeing. You will never be expected to carry a concern alone.
Note for workshop volunteers: For workshop facilitators: Your involvement is scoped to specific defined sessions rather than ongoing cohorts. You will be briefed for each session and will always have a member of FYMK staff present.
Note for event volunteers: For event volunteers: Your role is time-limited and clearly scoped to the event. You will receive a pre-event briefing and will be supervised throughout.
Your impact made visible
- We share personalised impact updates drawn from our learning system: real numbers, real names (where permitted), real progress made by the young people you supported.
- You will be recognised personally by the Programme Director and FYMK leadership.
- Your contribution is reported to our funders as part of the wider MDYH impact story.
Where you can go from here
- Many volunteers grow into more senior roles over time. We support a clear pathway: Event → Digital Skills Volunteer → Workshop Facilitator → Mentor.
- Volunteering with MDYH develops real facilitation, digital, and youth work skills that are recognised by employers.
- You can refer friends and colleagues; the best volunteers often know the next ones.
✓ Good to knowThere is no obligation to stay forever or to progress to a more senior role. You can step back at any time. If you do decide to continue, we will grow alongside you. Many of FYMK’s closest long-term contributors started exactly where you are starting now.
FAQs
Common questions
If your question is not here, get in touch. We are happy to talk it through.
No formal experience is required. We look for people who genuinely care about young people and can demonstrate an awareness of appropriate boundaries. All safeguarding training is provided by us before you have any contact with young people.
Not all previous convictions are automatically disqualifying. We handle all disclosures with care and confidentiality. If you are unsure, please speak to us before applying. You can contact our Safeguarding Lead, Uzo Nwuga, in complete confidence to discuss your situation before submitting a form.
It depends on your role. Event volunteers may only give a few hours once or twice a year. Digital skills support and workshop facilitators typically give a few hours per session, scheduled in advance. Mentors generally commit around one to two hours a week. We always agree a schedule with you before you start and will never ask for more than what you have offered.
All sessions are co-delivered or supervised by paid FYMK staff. You will never be solely responsible for a group of young people without a staff member present. Your Project Manager oversees all volunteer activity and is always reachable between sessions.
MDYH stands for Mobile Digital Youth Hub. We deliver digital skills and employability support across Milton Keynes, specifically in New Bradwell, Stantonbury, Woughton and Fishermead, and Bletchley East. Our learners include young people aged 13 to 24, as well as parents and carers who want to build their digital confidence to better support learning at home. Sessions take place at MK City Council family centres across the four wards.
For most volunteer roles, you do not need to be a digital expert. What you need is a willingness to learn alongside the young people you support. For the Digital Skills Volunteer role specifically, we will carry out a brief digital baseline check to make sure you are comfortable with the content before you deliver it. We will provide preparation materials in advance of any session.
Get in touch using the “Register your interest” button on this page and let us know you are enquiring as a partner organisation. Our Project Manager will arrange an initial conversation to understand what your organisation can offer and how it aligns with the MDYH programme. There is no DBS requirement for partner organisations; a DBS-cleared FYMK staff member attends all in-person sessions involving young people.
Yes. The MDYH programme includes dedicated sessions for parents and carers alongside the young people’s cohorts. You do not need to have a child enrolled to attend. Sessions for parents and carers focus on everyday digital confidence: staying safe online, using digital services, and supporting learning at home. All sessions are free and held at MK City Council family centres across the four priority wards.
Yes. MDYH actively welcomes young people who are NEET. The programme is designed to be accessible regardless of educational background or current status. Building digital confidence and employability skills is one of the core aims of MDYH, and young people who are NEET often benefit most from the structured progression and the connections to local employer partners the programme provides. If you know a young person in this situation, please register your interest and we will be in touch to discuss how best to support them.
Ready to take the first step?
It only takes 10 minutes to fill in your Expression of Interest form. No commitment required;
just tell us a little about yourself and we will take it from there.
just tell us a little about yourself and we will take it from there.
Or email us at volunteer@freshyouthmk.org if you have a question first.