Functional Skills Volunteer

At New Meaning Training (NMT), we’re a social enterprise with a mission: to help young people who didn’t succeed in mainstream education find their way to independence and employment. We’re proud to be almost entirely grant-funded, which means we can focus on what matters most — giving young people the chance to build skills, confidence, and a future.

Now, for the first time, we’re opening up opportunities for volunteers to support our learners — and we couldn’t be more excited. Many of the young people who join us haven’t achieved their Maths and English GCSEs at school. For them, our Functional Skills courses offer a vital second chance — a chance to unlock new opportunities, access further education, or step into work with the qualifications they need. Your support could make all the difference.

This is a rewarding and impactful volunteering role where you’ll work closely with young people to help them overcome learning barriers and make real progress — often for the first time in their lives. Whether you’re a retired teacher, former TA, or simply someone who’s passionate about giving back, you could help transform a young person’s outlook, confidence, and future.

Volunteering with us means being part of a small, committed team, based at one of our local centres in Berkshire, Warwickshire, or Buckinghamshire — and being part of a social mission that changes lives.

• Support young people in developing their English and/or Maths skills through one-to-one or small-group sessions.
• Encourage learners to engage, participate, and take pride in their achievements.
• Use your own knowledge and interests to make learning fun, practical, and meaningful.
• Support the delivery of individualised learning plans, adapting your approach to meet the needs of each learner.
• Work alongside NMT staff to build trusting relationships with learners and help track progress.

New Meaning Training (NMT) offers education with a difference. We are an alternative education provider dedicated to helping young people aged 15–25 discover their strengths and develop the confidence and skills to earn their own living. For the 2025–2026 academic year, around 300 young people from Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands, and Berkshire will join one of our programmes. Many of these students are referred by secondary schools, pupil referral units, and Special Education Needs settings.

Our journey began in 2015 with the opening of our first centre in High Wycombe, originally known as “Toolshed.” Ten years on, NMT continues to grow, with new centres planned for Nuneaton and Milton Keynes in September 2025.

We offer a diverse range of eight learning programmes: Construction Multiskills, Motor Mechanics, Creative Art & Design, Sports, Beauty, Work & Study, Boost Workskills, and Achieve Lifeskills. Not all programmes are available at every location, but all incorporate functional skills qualifications in Maths and English, along with tutorials to support our well‑rounded approach. We also provide a ‘Transition Support’ programme for young people with EHCPs who are not yet ready for a learning setting.

NMT tailors its programmes to meet the needs of its learners, considering Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs. We comprehensively apply the principles of a Loving Care Approach (Trauma Informed Practice) to ensure all young people receive the support they need to thrive.

• A passion for sharing knowledge and supporting young people.
• Good communication skills and empathy.
• Confidence with basic literacy and numeracy (ideally experience supporting others).
• A flexible and open-minded approach to different learning styles.
• Patience, resilience, and a warm, encouraging manner.
• Willingness to adhere to safeguarding and organisational policies (training provided).

• Voluntary position (expenses may be reimbursed).
• Flexible commitment – just a few hours a week can make a big difference.
• All volunteers will need to complete an enhanced DBS check and safeguarding training (organised by NMT).
• Opportunities available in Berkshire (Reading), Buckinghamshire (High Wycombe & Aylesbury) and Warwickshire (Stratford‑upon‑Avon & Nuneaton).