Volunteer with us to catch a young person as they fall

The number of young people turning up at A&E as a result of violent injuries, mental health issues and substance abuse has risen steeply in recent years. In response, The Thames Valley Violence Reduction Unit is introducing the Thames Valley Hospital Navigator Scheme, commissioning Oxfordshire Youth as one of its voluntary sector partners delivering youth work-based support and signposting services across five hospitals in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire.

This is a ground-breaking intervention programme created in response to a 51% increase in serious violence among under-18s across the country from 2014 to 2018. It spearheads a multi-agency approach to supporting young people between the ages of 16 and 25 through critical junctures during their stay in hospital and on discharge. A unique feature of the programme is that the frontline staff engaging with young hospital patients will all be volunteers, and every one of them will have the opportunity to change and save lives. 

We are looking to recruit people who can commit to a minimum of four hours a week, and up 35 hours for those who want more. You will be fully supported by a volunteer coordinator to establish trust with young people arriving at Oxford’s John Radcliffe hospital due to substance addiction, mental health issues, personal neglect, and violence. When you connect with a young patient, you will be offering them the opportunity to reflect and open their minds to the possibility of intervention and change. Much of the role involves referring to third-party agencies that can provide the necessary specialist support a young person might need to turn a corner. You will assist in redirecting them back into the community via a positive pathway, and provide mentoring to prevent them requiring hospitalisation in the future. If you think you would like to apply, please look at the full role description on the Oxfordshire Youth website, Work with us page.