We will be looking for all kinds of work for the international volunteers to undertake. Our youth organisation, Norfolk International Projects, tries to support young people aged 15 to 25 in accessing opportunities across Norfolk. Although Norwich is a vibrant city, we serve young people across a wide area. Many of our young people come from single parent families or have other disadvantages in their life. This includes poor access to transport as they live in remote rural communities. The volunteer will accompany a NIP officer to visit youth organisations and will help to inform young people of the opportunities available under the Youth Programme. The volunteer will bring an added intercultural dimension in this work.
In the first month the volunteer will not be given any special tasks other than just following the ongoing activities, meeting with young people, settling in socially and getting used to the organisation and the language. After the first impressions we will sit down together and work out a scheme that is suitable both for the volunteer and for our organisation. There will be an opportunity for the volunteer to spend some time on a personal project.
The wide variety of tasks that the volunteer may be asked to do include:

In carrying out these activities the volunteer will work with support of and under the guidance of the NIP officers. The volunteer will be briefed, at least on a weekly basis, by the Chief Executive about the tasks that are required of him/her. For a large part of the time the volunteer will be working alongside a NIP officer in the office or going out and about with an officer. There will, however, be some times when the volunteer will work independently. There will be considerable guidance provided for supporting young people during a youth exchange. During such projects some mundane jobs may be required of the volunteer.

What we are looking for?

It is hoped to recruit a young person who has some sympathy with our aims, and who has some ability in using the computer. (S)He must however be able to express himself and make himself understood in the English language, although linguistic training will be provided to support the placement. The volunteer should have patience and a willingness to try to communicate in a variety of different ways. Because the placement involves working with young people, the volunteer will need to have a police check made on them in their own country.

The most important factor will be to find a volunteer with the motivation to support young people. (S)he should meet the EVS criteria especially in being open minded, and friendly. The volunteer does not have to have any particular skill or qualification except for enthusiasm in abundance, and a genuine interest in working with young people.

The volunteer should be willing to work alongside the NIP leaders in a supportive way and to be able to make a contribution in one of the areas of creative arts, sport or information technology. The volunteer should be capable of taking on in time some initiatives within the extensive activities of the NIP organisation, but equally should be comfortable working as part of a team. The volunteer will be expected to support some of our youth exchange activities. (S)he should be willing to eat some of his/her meals with young people and become part of the caring support for young participants on a youth exchange.

We would like to work with a partner organisation that has a similar philosophy to our own, is both a Host and Sending Organisation and is one that is involved in multi-lateral youth exchanges.