Youth Volunteering

Are you aged 16-25 and have asthma? Want to learn new skills and support other young people with asthma?

Asthma UK is launching an exciting new project and we’re looking for young people to get involved.

Project aims

This project, which has been designed by young people with asthma, is all about giving support to young people.

The project aims to:

  • improve asthma support services for young people
  • improve asthma management for young people
  • enhance health equalities for young people

Two young men and a young woman laughing.

How to get involved

We’re looking for volunteers aged 18-25 to take part in a residential weekend to learn about:

  • how you manage your asthma through this time of change in your life
  • issues you may face as a young person with asthma
  • raising awareness of asthma in your local community
  • volunteer opportunities at Asthma UK
  • developing a peer-support programme for other young people

The weekend will be taking place in Manchester on 5-6 February 2011. You will need to be able to stay overnight on the Saturday and all your expenses will be paid for – including food and travel.

Why are we running this project?

Vinspired logoFrom starting work, moving away from home, pressure to start smoking to suddenly finding that you have to pay for your prescriptions, Asthma UK understands that young people face many issues at this time in their lives.

We also know that young people can find the move into adult care services difficult and confusing and this project is designed to address these issues and explore new ways of supporting young people at this time.

This project is supported by Vinspired.

What happens next?

After attending the residential weekend, you will have the opportunity to become a volunteer for Asthma UK in a variety of ways. We will provide you with additional training and support for each of the following volunteer roles (only available to over 18s apart from the Youth Forum):

  • Pass on your new knowledge to other young people by sharing your what you've learned about asthma and self-management through peer support sessions.
  • Become a Speak Up for Asthma Volunteer and act as a representative of Asthma UK to raise awareness of asthma and the work of Asthma UK in your local community.
  • Volunteer on a Kick Asthma holiday and help run a week long residential adventure week for children aged 7-16 with asthma.
  • Become a member of the Users and Carers Advisory Forum, Youth Forum (for those under 18) or Black and Minority Ethnic Forum and help influence the way that Asthma UK works with people with asthma, their carers, young people or Black and Minority Ethnic groups affected by asthma.
  • Support Asthma UK at fundraising or awareness raising events, from working on a stall at a mela or cultural day to cheering on our marathon runners.
  • Become a case study for Asthma UK and help Asthma UK illustrate the impact of asthma in our work with the media by sharing your story and telling us what its like to have asthma.

Get in touch

This is a fantastic opportunity to become part of a new and exciting youth volunteering project at Asthma UK and we want you to be part of it.

To sign up or find out more information email us at getinvolved@asthma.org.uk