Give us a week (or two)
It is only through the commitment of our army of volunteers that the scheme keeps going from strength to strength. No experience needed — training, DBS and a proper team all provided, and none of it costs you a penny.
How it works
Create your profile
Sign up on the volunteer portal and pick the training day that suits you.
Play Leadership Training
One day, run across Lancashire in June and July. Free, and it counts towards your certificate.
DBS check
Everyone 16 and over is checked. We handle it and cover the cost — you just bring your ID.
Join a team
Choose the age group you want to work with. You are never on your own — every team has an experienced leader.
Upcoming training days
Play Leadership Training runs at venues across Lancashire in the weeks before the scheme. You pick one date when you sign up on the portal.
Next summer's training days go up here in the spring. Create your profile on the portal now and we will email you as soon as dates are open for booking.
Where our volunteers come from
Most of our volunteers arrive through a school or college — often because a friend went the year before. Here is who they came from this year.
Why volunteer?
You are not paid for playscheme, but there is a great deal in it. You choose the age group you would like to work with, and if you already have a skill to share you can lead one of our workshops — sports and games, arts and crafts, and plenty more. Volunteers with experience of working with children can become key workers, making sure a child with additional needs is fully part of the week.
You will do your play leadership training, and there are chances to add first aid, face painting and other skills on top. Free transport runs from stops across the area to both sites, every activity during the week is free to you, friendships get made — and everyone looks forward to the Survivors' Dance when the fortnight is over. You collect a certificate for your training and another for each week of service, which is exactly the sort of thing an employer, college or university is looking for.
If you are 16 or over you will complete a DBS form as soon as you can. Bring your birth certificate and/or passport, plus something like a bank statement, building society book, NHS card or an addressed payslip. You need at least three forms of identification — the more the better.
Already volunteered with us?
You have done your Play Leadership Training, so you only need your annual update at Skills Training Day. Log in to the portal, book your place, and you are set for the summer.
Getting there
We run buses all over Lancashire for the children of playscheme, and volunteers ride them too. Before Skills Training Day you will get an email asking you to update your details, and that is where you choose the stop that works for you.
Where you could fit
Play leader
Looking after a group of children through the week, alongside an experienced team leader. Choose the age group you would like to work with.
One full week
Year 10
Key worker
Working one-to-one with a child who needs extra support, so they take a full part in the week. Some experience of working with children is needed.
One full week
Year 10
Workshop leader
Running sports and games, arts and crafts or another workshop for groups as they come round to you. Bring a skill you already have.
Days or full week
Year 10
Site team
Keeping the site running and safe.
Days or full week
18
Workcamp
Live and breathe Playscheme. Workcamp is demanding and tiring but also rewarding! You live on site making sure everything is tip and top and ready to go for the next day
Full Week AND Weekends
18
Changeover/Pack down Team
Our most intense period where we pack down and move sites or pack up for the next year. Not child facing and no training necessary
Sat/Sun - as much time as you can offer
Not sure yet? Ask us
Signing up is done on the volunteer portal, but if you have a question first — about the training, the DBS, bringing a friend, or whether a role would suit you — send it here and a volunteer coordinator will come back to you