Information for Volunteers

Volunteering with KEEN London

• Why?
  

  KEEN London can only undertake its work thanks to the involvement of our wonderful team of dedicated volunteers (known as “coaches”), most of whom are students or young professionals. To become a KEEN volunteer and work one to one with these special children requires no previous experience or sporting ability, just an enthusiasm to get involved.

  We offer full training and support, and a range of additional education sessions, including autism awareness, behaviour management, session leading and accredited training in MAKATON (a sign language used by many children with special needs). Volunteering with KEEN London is free, and travel costs are reimbursed. We also offer regular social events for volunteers, and our weekly debriefing sessions over food and drinks are a great way to meet new friends. You do not need to make a regular time commitment at KEEN—we only ask for a minimum of three sessions each term.

• How?
  

  Becoming a KEEN London volunteer is easy, rewarding, very worthwhile and above all great fun! Each volunteer is assigned one athlete for the session. As a coach, role is to enable your athlete to take part in the activities to the best of his or her abilities—and to have a great time!

  KEEN Coaches must be 18 or over. Other than that you do not need any qualifications, just a sense of fun! In order to protect the children, you must complete a Criminal Records Bureau check and agree to abide by our CRB code of practice. You will also need to provide two referees, who have known you for over six months and are not friends or relatives.

• Where and when?
  

  KEEN meets on Sundays during term times in the Tufnell Park area in North West London (within easy distance of Northern Line, London Overground and Thameslink stations). The sessions last from 11am to 1pm although occasionally special activities take place later on Sunday afternoons.

  Induction sessions are held frequently, either before a weekly Sunday session or on a weekday evening at our Islington office. Additional trainings are held on weekday evenings at the KEEN office in Islington.

• Anything else?
  

  You will gain an immense amount as a volunteer with KEEN. Not only will you be helping this wonderful group of children, but you will learn new skills, make new friends, and add some useful experience to your CV, particularly useful for those considering a career in teaching, childcare, psychology or medicine. KEEN Volunteers have won awards for their volunteering and KEEN London has been recognised by the Higher Education Volunteering Awards.