Job Details:
Youth Facilitator for Explorers Leigh

Job Description

Youth Facilitator Role 

As a Youth Facilitator for Explorers Leigh, you will play a vital role in fostering a welcoming, inclusive environment where our young members feel safe and supported. The role will involve 4 hours per week, with a split of 30 minutes for setup, 2 hours for group facilitation, 30 minutes for reflection and tidying, and 1 hour for admin tasks, all paid at £15 per hour for a total of £60 per week during term-time. 

This is a freelance role and you will be expected to pay your own tax and national insurance contributions.

We are currently hiring for two part-time Youth Facilitator roles. If you’re passionate about supporting young people and creating inclusive spaces, we’d love to hear from you!

About Explorers Leigh 

Explorers Leigh is a vibrant LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent youth group for 11-18-year-olds, based in Leigh, England. We meet every Saturday during term time from 11:45 AM to 1:45 PM at the Studio Room at The Turnpike. Our mission is to create a safe, youth-led space where young people can explore their identities, build friendships, and develop valuable life skills. Explorers Leigh is the main youth group for LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent young people currently run by We Are Explorers CIC. 

Responsibilities include: 

- Facilitating engaging and interactive group sessions, encouraging youth-led activities based on members' interests and needs. 

- Supporting personal growth, self-expression, and leadership development for young members. 

- Promoting an inclusive atmosphere where all young people, regardless of background, feel respected and valued. 

- Building positive relationships with members, parents, and other stakeholders. - Working alongside our youth board to implement activities chosen by the young people, including decisions on how funding is allocated. 

- Completing relevant administrative tasks, including risk assessments, safeguarding reports, fire registers, and keeping records. 

- Occasionally accompanying young people on trips, including potential support during Pride events and the summer holidays. Additional travel time and costs will be reimbursed.

Essential Skills and Qualifications: 

- A passion for working with young people and promoting LGBTQ+ and Neurodivergent inclusion. 

- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust and rapport with young people. 

- Personal or lived experience of being LGBTQ+ and/or Neurodivergent is highly valued.

- Flexibility, adaptability, and the ability to handle changing situations with ease. 

- Ability to work independently as well as part of a team. 

- Willingness to travel independently and accompany young people on trips. 

- Basic administrative skills, with attention to detail when completing paperwork. 

Desirable Skills and Qualifications: 

- Experience in youth work or related fields (formal or informal). 

- Knowledge of creative arts, music, drama, or other relevant skills that can enhance group activities. 

- Experience working with young people with additional needs. 

- First aid training (training will be provided if not already qualified).

- A valid driving license (preferred but not essential). 

Additional Requirements: 

- An enhanced DBS check will be required. This will be provided if you do not currently have an enhanced DBS certificate.

- Safeguarding and first aid training will be provided and all training time will be paid for.

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About Our Values 

At Explorers Leigh, we are deeply committed to fostering an environment that is: 

Safe 

We believe in creating a space where all young people, particularly those who are LGBTQ+ or neurodivergent, feel secure, respected, and free to express themselves. We are looking for facilitators who have a deep understanding of the unique challenges these young people may face, including issues like discrimination, mental health struggles, or navigating complex social dynamics. Ensuring emotional, psychological, and physical safety is at the core of what we do, and we expect our facilitators to be sensitive, supportive, and proactive in creating an inclusive environment where every individual feels valued. 

Engaging 

We pride ourselves on offering activities that are interactive, fun, and empowering. At Explorers Leigh, we encourage all young people to actively take part in group activities, whether that’s through creative projects, discussions, or physical events. Engagement means more than just participation—it means fostering a sense of ownership and excitement about what they’re doing. The role of the facilitator is to ensure that every session is dynamic and accessible, keeping young people interested and involved by tailoring activities to their unique skills, interests, and energy levels. 

Youth-Led 

At Explorers Leigh, young people’s voices are central to everything we do. We are committed to a youth-led approach, which means the ideas, interests, and opinions of our young members guide the direction of our group. We encourage them to take an active role in decision-making, from planning activities to deciding how funding is spent through our youth board. The facilitator’s role is to support and enable these ideas, helping young people bring their vision to life. Rather than relying on a top-down, adult-led model, our group operates as a collaborative space where young people feel empowered to take the lead, with adults providing guidance and support where needed. 

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If you are passionate about creating positive, inclusive spaces for young people and supporting them in leading their own experiences, we encourage you to apply for the Youth Facilitator role at Explorers Leigh. 

We strongly encourage applications from individuals with lived experience, as well as those from diverse backgrounds.

• 7 Free Day Passes & Employee Discount at Anytime Fitness Leigh, helping you stay active and healthy.
• Flexible, Neurodivergent-friendly Working Patterns to accommodate individual needs and ensure a supportive work-life balance.
• Free Training and Development to help you grow in your role and career.
• Opportunities to Earn Level 2 and 3 JNC Accredited Youth and Community Work Qualifications, with support from the organization.
• Staff Social Events to build a strong, fun, and supportive team culture.
• Opportunities for Additional Hours as we expand! We’re looking for Youth and Adult Facilitators for various projects throughout 2025, offering the chance to take on extra work as we grow.