The Barracks Cafe jobs

Voluntary

Part time

Doncaster

Care, Social Care

16/03/2026

REQ16722

Part time, 2-3 hours once a month.

Overview:

If you want to volunteer, have fun, and make a difference to a young person's life, this is the perfect volunteer opportunity. Become a buddy for a child or young person living in care in Doncaster.

Responsibilities:

A buddy is a trained volunteer who visits and befriends a young person in care (usually aged between 8 and 18 years old). The aim of the role is to be a positive adult role model and provide 1-2-1 time and space for a young person to talk, feel listened to, valued, and have some fun.

Buddies meet with their young person for 2-3 hours once a month and spend time together. They do activities, go out for food, talk, and generally have an enjoyable time.

We ask for a minimum commitment of two years for this volunteering role as buddies play an important part in their young person’s development. This consistent friendship helps the young person to build self-esteem, confidence, and resilience.

Examples of activities buddies do with their young person are:

Go to the cinema, bowling, ice skating

Go to the park, dog walking, play football

Visit a local museum, gallery, theatre

Go to a restaurant or café.

It all depends on what the young person would like to do. We do aim to match you with a young person who has similar interests and hobbies to you.

A set budget and travel expenses are provided per calendar month.

Can I volunteer?

We are looking for positive, reliable, and enthusiastic volunteers from all different backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. You do not need any specific qualifications or experience to volunteer, just an interest in the development and welfare of children. Full training is provided for this role with continual support from your designated coordinator.

To become a buddy, you need to be:

18 years or older.

Able to relate well to young people and have a genuine interest in their welfare.

Aware of and sensitive to the impact of race, culture, language, religion, ability, gender or sexual orientation and to challenge prejudicial attitudes and discriminatory behaviour.

Willing to undergo background checks, an enhanced DBS check (Disclosure and Barring Service) and provide two references.

If you have lived in the UK for less than five years, you are required to obtain an overseas criminal record check(s) from the overseas country/countries you have resided in, in the last five years.

If ALL of the overseas addresses are UK HM Forces barracks addresses then overseas check(s) DO NOT need to be undertaken as these will be obtained as part of our DBS application.

Able to attend an informal interview and complete a full day of initial training.

Committed to meeting your young person once a month for a minimum of two years.

Able to develop a trusting relationship with your young person which will require patience and understanding. This can be a slow process.

Willing to share any child protection concerns that arise which are beyond the realms of confidentiality.

Complete a brief visit recording form and expenses form after each visit.

Please note: The independence of the Buddy Scheme is vital, therefore anyone who works for Doncaster Children's Services or as a local councillor unfortunately cannot be a volunteer. This also applies to partners and spouses of these staff members.

Please head over to our Buddy Scheme website for more details:

www.doncaster.gov.uk/buddyscheme

If you have any questions about this opportunity, please contact: buddyscheme@doncaster.gov.uk.

An application form is attached to the top of this screen, please return completed application forms to buddyscheme@doncaster.gov.uk.

This post involves working with children and therefore if successful you will be required to apply for a Disclosure and Barring Service records check at an enhanced level.Further information about the Disclosure Scheme can be found at www.gov.uk/disclosure-barring-service-check.

Doncaster Council is committed to meeting the needs of our diverse community where we strive to improve the quality of life for all. We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults and expect all staff to share these commitments.