The Resource Link Team works on the preventative, capacity-building side of youth support, focusing on empowering young people and their families to access the vast array of resources and opportunities available to them.
Many beneficial programs and public services go underutilized simply because families (especially those in Black and Minority Ethnic communities or new immigrant families) are unaware of them or uncertain how to navigate the system.
As a Resource Link Officer, you become a friendly guide and connector bridging families to vital resources that can improve their lives, before problems reach a crisis stage.
This service complements the crisis-focused work of the Liaison Team by addressing issues upstream: we ensure families know about and can tap into support for housing, education, childcare, mental health, employment, and more.
By proactively linking families to these supports, we strengthen the community’s foundation and reduce the likelihood of youth falling into high-risk situations. Think of yourself as part community educator, part advocate, part problem-solver, helping families help themselves.
Key Activities and Responsibilities
Single Point of Contact: Act as a dedicated case manager and trusted ally for the youth and their family.
Proactive Outreach & Awareness: You will actively seek out families who might benefit from various programs and make sure they know about them. We don’t wait for people to ask, we meet them where they are. This could involve visiting community centres, attending cultural or religious gatherings, hosting info tables at local events, and using social media or local radio to spread the word.
You will keep up-to-date on available programs and benefits from free childcare hours or tutoring programs to mental health clinics, youth clubs, housing assistance, job training, and more and present them in an easy-to-understand way.
For example, if there is a government grant for after-school activities or a new free nursery scheme for toddlers, you ensure that eligible families in the community hear about it directly from us. Our motto: “no useful resource should remain a secret” In fact, studies have found that a significant number of parents simply don’t know about the support they are entitled to one UK report showed 38% of eligible families were unaware of their free nursery education entitlement. Your mission is to close that awareness gap.
Guidance Through Processes: Knowing a resource exists is only half the battle. The next hurdle is actually using it. As a Resource Link Officer, you will guide parents and youth step-by-step through application and enrolment processes that might otherwise feel intimidating or confusing. This could mean helping a parent fill out lengthy forms for subsidised childcare or benefits, walking a family through the steps to apply for council housing support, or even accompanying someone to their first appointment at a service provider like a college open day or a job training orientation.
Bureaucracy can be daunting, so you act as a mentor in “how to navigate the system.” By breaking down paperwork and procedures into manageable steps, you remove barriers that often discourage families from accessing help. The goal is not just to inform, but to ensure that available aid is actually obtained and felt in the household, whether it is a child care slot secured, a grant received, or a youth enrolled in a skills workshop. You will essentially empower families with the know-how to get what they need long after you have shown them the ropes.
Cultural and Language Support: Many of our BME and immigrant families face language barriers or carry a mistrust of institutions, due to past experiences or cultural differences. You will provide culturally sensitive, personalised support to overcome these hurdles. This may involve using bilingual skills if you have them or connecting the family with a translator/community volunteer who speaks their language.
It also means being respectful of cultural norms and building trust patiently. You might act as an intermediary or advocate: for example, explaining to a health clinic what a non-English-speaking family needs, or helping a parent communicate with a school. By being that friendly, understanding bridge, you make families comfortable in seeking help.
We find that when information is delivered by someone who looks like them or understands their culture, families are far more receptive. So, if you have a multicultural background or second language, that is a huge asset in this role. Our approach ensures no family fails to benefit due to communication gaps, fear of stigma, or feeling that “the system doesn’t understand us.”
Follow-Up and Encouragement: Unlike a typical referral service, we don’t consider our job done just by handing someone a brochure or phone number. Follow-through is a core part of the Resource Link approach. You will follow up with families after the initial connection to see if they were able to access the resource and if it is meeting their needs. Sometimes families start an application but hit a snag. Maybe a form was confusing, or they have not heard back. If we find out they ran into obstacles or got discouraged, you will step back in to troubleshoot. Perhaps making a phone call on their behalf, clarifying next steps, or finding an alternative service if Plan A fell through. We also celebrate the wins.
If a parent successfully gets the housing support or a youth starts that apprenticeship, you acknowledge it and encourage them to keep engaging. These follow-ups build the family’s confidence and habit of seeking help. Over time, our goal is to make ourselves unnecessary by empowering families to self-advocate and navigate resources on their own. But until then, we stand by them to ensure no one slips back through the cracks due to lack of support or motivation.
What We Look For
Ideal volunteers for the Resource Link Team are outgoing, empathetic communicators who believe in the power of information and education.
Key qualities include:
Passion for Helping Others: You genuinely enjoy empowering people with knowledge. Patience and a caring attitude are a must. You might be explaining basic processes to someone completely unfamiliar with them. A teacher’s heart or a social worker’s patience will serve you well, as will the enthusiasm to go out into the community and start conversations.
Cultural Sensitivity & Language Skills: Since you will work closely with families from various ethnic and cultural backgrounds, you should be respectful and culturally aware. An open mind and willingness to learn about different traditions will help build trust. If you speak additional languages (e.g. Somali, Arabic, Urdu, Polish, etc.), please let us know. Bilingual abilities are highly valued and can greatly enhance our outreach to certain communities. Even if you don’t, the ability to simplify complex information into clear, plain language is very important. Jargon doesn’t help the people who need these services most.
Resourcefulness & Knowledgeable: You should be a bit of a “resource guru” eager to learn about the ins and outs of local programs, government benefits, and community services. We will provide training on key resources, but the best Resource Link officers are those who take initiative to stay informed and up-to-date.
When faced with a family’s need, you love the challenge of finding a solution. Whether it is an existing service or a creative workaround. Being resourceful also means knowing how to navigate official websites, who to call for what, and not getting discouraged by bureaucracy.
Interpersonal Skills & Positivity: This role is very people-oriented. You should be comfortable approaching strangers or new acquaintances and striking up conversations about sensitive topics like asking if they need help with anything. Listening skills are just as important as speaking. You need to hear what a family’s concerns truly are in order to connect them to the right help.
A friendly, encouraging demeanour will reassure families that you are there to support, not judge. Also, persistence is key: some people might be reluctant or sceptical about free services thinking “there’s a catch”. You will need to gently encourage them and sometimes reiterate the benefits before they will try it. Optimism and encouragement go a long way in motivating families to pursue opportunities that could change their lives.
(Whether you have formal experience in community outreach or you are simply the go-to person in your friend group for advice, we welcome you. This role is about connecting human-to-human, so life experience and heart can matter more than any specific job history.)
Application Requirements and Process
To apply for the Resource Link Officer (Volunteer) role, please provide:
CV: Provide an overview of your background. This does not need to be a traditional job resume if you are not from a social services field. The main purpose is to understand your experiences and achievements. Be sure to include any volunteer work, coaching, leadership roles, or relevant personal experiences e.g. involvement in youth organisations, clubs, overcoming personal challenges. If you have a particular skill or passion sports, music, tech, etc., mention that too. We try to match mentors and mentees with shared interests when possible.
Cover Letter or Personal Statement: This is your chance to shine beyond the paper credentials. Tell us why you want to be a mentor and what you hope to contribute. We are especially interested in hearing about your life journey. What do you consider your exceptional achievement or defining experiences? How do you think those will help you connect with and guide a young person?
You might share a bit about why you care about supporting youth. For instance, did you have a mentor or wish you had one at that age? Do you see needs in your community that move you? Also, let us know if you have preferences or limitations regarding the youth you’d mentor. For example, if you feel you would work best with a certain age range or gender. We take such preferences into account when matching.
References: Because this role involves direct one-on-one work with a minor, we strongly prefer at least two references who can speak to your character and suitability as a mentor. These could be professional references or personal. If personal, not family members but community leaders, faith leaders, teachers, etc., who know you well. If you have previous experience working with youth or vulnerable groups, a reference from that context is ideal. Please provide their contact information. We will reach out to them as part of the screening.
Screening & Training: All mentor volunteers must pass an enhanced DBS background check required by law for those working with children. We will facilitate this. You will also be invited to an interview or meeting with our mentorship program coordinator. This is not meant to be high-pressure. It is partly for us to know you better and partly for you to ask questions and understand the commitment. We want to ensure that we match you with the right youth and set you both up for success.
Once accepted, you will undergo our Mentor Training, typically a series of evening or weekend workshops. In training, we cover mentoring best practices, communication skills, setting boundaries, safeguarding, youth development basics, and scenario role-plays. You will also hear from experienced mentors about what to expect. By the end, you will feel ready to embark on this journey with confidence.
Program Commitment: As mentioned, we ask for about a 6-12 month commitment if possible, meeting your mentee regularly exact frequency can be negotiated, but consistency is key e.g. an hour or two every week or every other week. We understand life happens, and we will support you through any adjustments, but continuity is important for the youth. We also host group activities and mentor support meetings periodically, which you will be invited to these allowing you to connect with fellow mentors, share experiences, and engage in fun outings with other mentor-mentee pairs.
Volunteer Benefits & Future Prospects: While the Youth Mentor/Coach position is unpaid, the reward is immeasurable. You will directly witness the growth and confidence your guidance can instil in a young person. We provide ongoing support from staff. You are never alone in handling a tough situation and cover any expenses related to mentor activities e.g. tickets to an event for you and your mentee, or simple outing costs within reason.
Many mentors form bonds that last well beyond the formal program. Furthermore, excelling as a mentor could open doors for future roles with our organisation or partners for instance, a paid Youth Worker or Program Coordinator position as opportunities arise. More immediately, we write recommendation letters or serve as references for our standout volunteers. In essence, by helping a youth carve out a better future, you just might be carving a new path for yourself as well.
Ready to Apply? Please send your CV and cover letter for any of the above roles to hr@bmementors.com. Be sure to specify which volunteer position you are applying for. You may apply for more than one if you feel drawn to multiple roles.
If you have questions or want to discuss any role before applying, feel free to contact us at info@bmementors.com We would be happy to chat. Remember, volunteers are the heart of our mission. By joining as a Community Liaison Officer, Resource Link Officer, or Youth Mentor, you will play a pivotal part in transforming young lives and strengthening our community. We look forward to reading your application and potentially welcoming you to our team.
Non-Discrimination Policy: We welcome applications from all individuals regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or background. What matters to us is your passion and commitment. If you need any accommodations during the application process, please let us know.
Thank you for considering volunteering with us. Together, we can ensure no young person falls through the cracks.