Background:

West Horsley Place is a Grade I listed mediaeval manor house and estate of great beauty and historic significance. The current manor house dates from 1425, though there has been a building on site since Saxon times. The house remains on Historic England's Heritage at Risk Register and along with the outbuildings has parts in very bad states of disrepair. 

The West Horsley Place Trust is working to bring the house, gardens, 380-acre estate and 8 Grade II listed outbuildings back into good repair and to improve people's wellbeing through art, culture, heritage & nature.

The focus of this role is to respond to ASB by young people in Lollesworth Woods and Kingston Meadows at the north end of the estate. We want to explore positive and sustainable solutions for this situation.

 

Main Purpose of Role

West Horsley Place is looking for a freelance youth worker specialising in outdoor youthwork activities to work with two groups of young people, exploring how we can engage them with heritage/nature at WHP.

We are looking for a youth worker with excellent safeguarding knowledge to deliver and evaluate two strands of youth-led youth work during summer 2022, working closely with the Community Engagement Coordinator and a team of volunteers. Each group should consist of a minimum of six sessions, focussing on the question ‘How can we take inspiration from our history and natural heritage to create a better future?’

Following discussion with West Horsley Youth Council, initial outlines for these strands include:

• Outdoor activities for 12-14 year olds
• Developing an outdoor seating area with 16-25 year olds

Participants will have the opportunity to learn about historic and natural heritage and management of heritage sites as well as developing new skills. This will support participants with increased confidence, self-esteem and positive outcomes for health and wellbeing.

Our challenge will be to engage the young people who already use our ancient woodland in less than desirable ways.

The main responsibilities of the Youth Worker will be to:

• Work closely with the Community Engagement Coordinator to shape recruitment of young people.
• Develop and deliver two strands of youth-led activities.
• Undertake evaluation, using and tailoring proposed evaluation methods.
• Undertake and communicate risk assessments for proposed activities.
• Work closely with the Estate and Gardens Manager and volunteers to plan and undertake work to develop and outdoor seating area with young people.
• To share about the importance of ancient woodland, inspire young people to take care of it and develop their knowledge and skills in how to look after it.
• Ensure all activities adhere to West Horsley Place's safeguarding policy

 Renumeration

This is a freelance role paid at £30 per hour. 

How to Apply: Please submit your CV and cover letter, including details of relevant skills and experience to Jo Ellison, Community Engagement and Projects Coordinator, by emailing to [email protected] or by post to the above address.

 

Person specification

We are looking for a positive, pro-active and organised freelancer who will champion young people, supporting their engagement and enjoyment of West Horsley Place:

You will buy-in to and demonstrate our values of being:

• Inclusive and non-elitist, seeking to embrace as wide an audience as possible
• Community-focused – both of place and of practice
• Warm and welcoming
• Innovative and challenging
• Embracing of partnership
• Open and honest

 

To be successful in this freelance role, you must have the following essential attributes, experience and knowledge:

• An appropriate youth work qualification and safeguarding training
• In-depth understanding of ancient woodland and passion for sharing your knowledge
• Build positive connections with young people, developing relationships based on respect and trust
• Assess the needs of young people to plan and deliver a programme which meets their specific needs
• Creating and following effective risk assessments for youth activities
• Delivering forest school and woodworking activities with young people
• You must have an up to date Enhanced DBS check

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