Freelance Youth Support Worker - Mental Health Advocate

Trash Gxng Academy C.I.C.; London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 33,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading social mobility organization seeks a Freelance Youth Worker to support a creative bootcamp for at-risk youths aged 16-25. The role involves providing emotional support, facilitating group sessions, and ensuring a safe environment for creativity and self-expression. Ideal candidates will hold a qualification in youth mental health and possess strong communication and empathetic skills.

Benefits

Collaborative work environment

Opportunity to make a tangible impact

Engaging creative bootcamp

Qualifications

• Experience working with 16–25-year-olds in community or creative settings.
• Excellent knowledge of mental health resources and safeguarding.
• Proactive work ethic, always looking for new opportunities to support young people.

Responsibilities

• Provide emotional support and guidance on wellbeing.
• Conduct 1:1 check-ins and support access to services.
• Facilitate group sessions promoting expression and belonging.

Skills

Communication

Empathy

Organisational Skills

Boundary-Setting

Education

Recognised qualification in youth mental health

Job description

**Freelance Youth Worker – Mental Health Qualified Specialist**

Start Date: Monday 21st July 2025. Duration: 2 weeks (Total: 9 days). Working Pattern: Monday–Thursday + 1 pre-meet + Friday debrief + group celebration. Day Rate: £100-150/day | £33k Eqv. Location: In-Person, Lambeth/Southwark, London. Contract Type: Freelance / Contractor.

About us

We are a creative social mobility organisation that provides core soft-skills training to equip at-risk young people to transition into meaningful employment. We work with marginalised, often NEET, 16–25-year-olds from diverse and underrepresented communities. Our mission is to break social isolation and provide a creative outlet that offers hope, practical support, and insight into systemic barriers faced by young adults.

The Role

We’re seeking a qualified mental health specialist youth worker to support our Creative Bootcamp – a two-week immersive programme supporting up to 10 young people in expressing themselves through creative projects. You will create emotionally safe, affirming environments, conduct well-being check-ins, manage crisis awareness, and embed trauma-informed frameworks into creative delivery. You’ll work alongside 4 other youth workers to deliver an engaging and interactive bootcamp.

You’ll:

1. Provide emotional support and guidance on wellbeing to participants.
2. Participate in our delivery team following the workshop brief.
3. Conduct 1:1 check-ins and support access to services if needed.
4. Offer tailored support and a safe space for participants, promoting positive behaviour, encouragement, and guidance.
5. Advise on mental health best practices for the delivery team.
6. Help create a calm, inclusive, safe space for young people to thrive.
7. Build rapport with young people and contribute to team debriefs and reflections.
8. Facilitate group sessions focused on expression, belonging, and wellbeing.
9. Deliver inclusive, engaging sessions tailored to individual learning needs.
10. Act as the main point of contact for up to 6 young people, supporting attendance and behavioural needs.

Requirements

1. Recognised qualification in youth mental health, counselling, therapy, or psychology.
2. Experience working with 16–25-year-olds in education, community, or creative settings.
3. Excellent knowledge of mental health resources, signposting, and safeguarding.
4. Strong values in equity, youth empowerment, and intersectional care.
5. Excellent communication, empathy, and boundary-setting skills.
6. Proactive work ethic and eagerness to support young people's development.
7. Excellent written English skills.
8. Strong organisational skills and experience with CRM systems.
9. Reliability to meet deadlines and deliverables.

Optional

1. Career counselling, development, and management skills.
2. Knowledge of current trends in vocational opportunities.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all young people. Successful applicants will undergo enhanced DBS checks and align with our safeguarding and equality principles.

What’s in it for you

• Participate in a fun, creative bootcamp with tangible outcomes for underrepresented youth.
• Contribute to a social enterprise with a clear social purpose.
• Work with a team that values your experience and voice.
• See your impact as young people develop and celebrate their progress.
• Collaborate with creatives, youth workers, and programme staff sharing your values.

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