Frequently asked questions
Becoming a Yes Futures Coach
What does being a Coach involve?
As a Coach, you are integral to students’ success on the programme. By working with the same students throughout, you really get to build a relationship with them and see their progress.
As such, your commitment and attendance at all sessions is critical. In exceptional circumstances, if you are unable to make a session, please notify your Programme Executive as soon as possible.
Your responsibilities as Coach include:
- Delivery of the programme including the Welcome and Graduation sessions, Coaching sessions, Play Your Part and World of Work days and the Into the Wild weekend;
- Communicating regularly with your Programme Executive regarding student engagement and progress;
- Joining briefing and debriefing sessions with your Programme Executive and Coaching team;
- Keeping brief session records for each student;
- Supporting the delivery of evaluative procedures.
You will also have the opportunity to write blogs for the website, newsletters and social media should you wish to do so.
How much time do I need to commit to the volunteering role?
We require a full commitment of up to 12 days over a six-month period to volunteer as a Coach with Yes Futures.
1. Welcome session - an after school session where you will meet the students as they receive an introduction to the programme.
2. Coaching sessions - five sessions in school that take place roughly once a month.
3. Play Your Part - a day trip with the students to provide them with the opportunity to be of service to their community.
4. World of Work - a day trip with the students to a workplace where they can gain an understanding of life after school.
5. Into the Wild - a weekend residential from Friday to Sunday where students from all schools taking part in the programme join together.
Wherever possible, dates are planned in advance using the availability that you give to us during the recruitment process.
How do I become a Coach?
We are always looking for enthusiastic and committed volunteer Coaches to help run the Yes Futures programmes. You will also find lots of information on the ‘Get Involved’ section of our website.
Once you are ready you can register your interest in becoming a Coach and we will invite you to apply for the role. Interviews are conducted prior to the start of each programme and if you are successful, you’ll then be invited to a training day where you’ll get to meet the team and other Coaches prior to starting your school placement.
Visit www.yesfutures.org/become-a-coach to apply
Will there be any training?
Yes Futures believes strongly in investing in its team members, whether paid or voluntary. You will be given training when you begin your coaching role which will include an orientation of your role and an introduction to the Yes Futures policies and procedures that are relevant to you.
Your Programme Executive will give you direction and guidance to help you settle into your role. You will receive ongoing support and feedback from them and be kept informed about training opportunities that may benefit you. Please let them know if there is any particular support or training from which you feel you would benefit.
What are the students that we will work with like?
Every student is unique and different, as are our Coaches, so it would be impossible (and unfair) to assume what it will be like to work with each and every one.
What we can say is that our students come from a variety of backgrounds and have all experienced life differently. For this reason we provide training in managing behaviour and your Programme Executive will always be on hand to support you further should you require.
How many students will I be working with?
You are likely to be working with anything from two to five students depending on the number taking part in the programme at your allocated school.
Of course there may be sessions when a student, or even a Coach, is absent in which case your numbers may vary on that occasion.
What opportunities are there to network with others?
At Yes Futures we love a social and, before Covid-19, have hosted summer and Christmas socials every year.
In addition to this, you will also have the opportunity to socialise with your Programme Executive and Coaching team.
We are always looking for new ways to unite our team so if, upon volunteering with us, you think of something you’d like to do, we would welcome your ideas.
What are the benefits to me of volunteering with Yes Futures?
Yes Futures is a small, and rapidly growing, charity. By joining us at this critical stage in our development you will have a significant impact on our growth and future success.
You will:
- Join a team of committed, hard-working and friendly colleagues;
- Get full training and ongoing support at no cost to you;
- Receive ongoing support from a dedicated Programme Executive who will tailor your development needs to you and support you throughout the programme;
- Make a real, tangible difference to the lives of young people;
- Thrive in a volunteer role with a high degree of responsibility.
How are you responding to the Covid-19 pandemic to ensure it is safe to volunteer?
Now more than ever, it is important that young people are given the opportunity to develop their Confidence and Resilience. For this reason we have taken a number of steps to ensure that staff, volunteers and students can remain safe at this time while still delivering our programmes:
- Coach training has moved online with the Yes Futures team providing sessions on Zoom for both new and experienced Coaches.
- Coaching sessions have also moved online with Coaches joining Zoom sessions from the comfort of their home or workplace. This is made possible by our dedicated team of Programme Executives who meet with the students in school and facilitate mini workshops prior to your Coaching sessions.
- Students will select a social action project for Play Your Part and will be set a structured task to complete over the Christmas break which they will then present to a small group in the New Year.
- Volunteers will not be required to attend World of Work which will be an exciting ‘virtual’ day in school with a variety of webinars, virtual tours, live sessions, and videos.
- Our Into the Wild weekend has been adapted so that students can visit a local activity centre for one day towards the end of the programme. This is being reviewed regularly in response to the changes in government guidance.
To find out more about how we are adapting the way we work due to the Covid-19 pandemic, please read our statement.
