Community-Based Artists For Change Youth Mentors

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Are you an artist passionate about empowering the next generation of leaders in Northern Ireland? Do you believe that creativity is a catalyst for civic action by helping children and young people in NI develop the empathy, problem-solving, innovation, collaboration and optimism needed to improve their lives and their communities?

Join us by using our globally acclaimed FEEL-IMAGINE-DO-SHARE framework, to mentor a group of minimum 5 youth to identify real-world issues and design arts-based solutions. eduSOIL CIC is the nation-wide partner for Design for Change (DFC) programmes in Northern Ireland, and is part of a UN-recognised global movement empowering children and young people to design and lead solutions to real-world challenges affecting their lives and communities.

Our work integrates wellbeing, creativity, youth voice and global citizenship through school and community based programmes. eduSOIL CIC and Design for Change (DFC) NI are looking for multidisciplinary artists to join a nationwide collective of mentors. We invite you to use your creative practice to support children and young people as they become empathic, collaborative, and optimistic "leaders of change" in their own communities.

• Time: A minimum of 20 hours total (delivered in 1.5hr – 2hr sessions). You create your own schedule tailored to your availability and the availability of the group you will mentor.
• Training: Participate in online and onsite training in Belfast.
• Timeline: Support your group to initiate and lead a project in their community between Feb - early Sept this year.

We believe in supporting our artists as much as our youth. We provide:

• Art Materials and access to equipment: Supplies for visual art group’s project as well as musical instruments and audio visual recording equipment (as per request & availability).
• Printed Resources: Curricula and DFC mentorship guides (provided in volunteer brief).
• Travel Stipends: Reimbursement for travel based on submitted receipts.
• Wellbeing & Training: Access to eduSOIL’s wellbeing-informed leadership framework, including "MEtime" reflective practice and an abridged Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction course.
• Global Connections: Peer mentorship opportunities with coordinators in South Africa and Sudan, and a chance to qualify for the 2026 Global Celebration in Greece.
• Fundraising platforms: Approval to use eduSOIL (or vetted platforms) to raise funds for their group to attend as NI representatives at the 2026 Be The Change Global Celebration taking place in Nov in Greece (optional incentive for those who submit their stories of change by early September).

We are seeking values-led artists with at least 3 years of professional experience. We are particularly interested in applicants who:

• Have a creative practice in any medium (Visual arts, music, prose, poetry, etc.).
• Bring lived experience of migration, cultural transition, or integration, including previously or currently being in the asylum system.
• Are multilingual or have experience working with underserved communities.
• Are motivated by equity, youth voice, and ethical leadership.
• Have experience working with schools, young people, educators or community organisations either through professional roles or in a voluntary capacity.
• Possess strong relationship-building and communication skills.
• Have experience supporting or managing projects or programmes.
• Show confidence mentoring young people and volunteers.
• Have an interest in wellbeing-informed leadership and reflective practice.

You do not need prior experience with Design for Change, but you should be open to learning and working within an established global methodology. You also do not need to have a background in Education or the Community Sector, yet should have experience with young people, prior voluntary experience in any field and must have a commitment to connect with and collaborate with underserved communities.

We are particularly interested in applicants who:

• Have experience in arts, mindfulness, yoga or wellbeing practice alongside at least 3 years professional expertise in the creative industries or complementary field/sector.
• Are eager to go beyond the minimum of 20 hours to mentor 1 group of children and young people and are willing to utilise our 1 week or 1 month curriculum to design a mentoring programme that enables the children and young people to get the best support.
• Are open to supporting multiple groups over the course of the year.

This role suits someone who wants to actively contribute and who is excited by working at both local and international levels.

This role is critical to eduSOIL’s ability to deliver high-quality, sustainable youth leadership programmes across Northern Ireland. By having a nationwide team of onsite DFC NI Youth Mentors, eduSOIL can:

• Strengthen relationships with schools, universities and education stakeholders.
• Increase programme reach, consistency and quality across NI.
• Better support young people through mentoring and leadership.
• Deliver nation-wide programmes effectively and responsibly.
• Build a stronger pipeline of partners, funders and future leaders.
• Ensure NI voices and practice are represented within a global movement.

The contributions of each and every DFC NI Youth Mentor directly supports young people to lead meaningful change while strengthening the long-term sustainability and visibility of the organisation.

All Community Based Artists For Change Youth Mentors participate in eduSOIL’s wellbeing-informed leadership framework, including:

• Weekly guided reflective practice (MEtime For Change).
• Online training modules (Design For Change).
• 2 month abridged Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Course.

All work operates under eduSOIL safeguarding policies.

Through their volunteer engagement, Community Based Artists For Change Youth Mentors will also:

• Participate in shared leadership, wellbeing practice and safeguarding processes.
• Grow their own leadership capacity within a respected global movement.
• Build and maintain relationships with schools, universities, funders and strategic partners.
• Contribute to national visibility and storytelling through stories of change.
• Represent Northern Ireland within the global Design for Change network.

The role combines strategic contribution with hands-on involvement in programme delivery, partnerships and mentoring. The team of Community Based Artists For Change Youth Mentors will work alongside the team of DFC NI Youth Mentors all of whom will be supported by the DFC NI Programme Director, Programme Coordinators and the Country Director. They will also be involved in a peer mentorship group with Programme Directors and Coordinators in South Africa and Sudan, contributing to shared learning and international, intercultural and intergenerational collaboration.

Ready to bridge the gap between art and activism? Apply directly via the Be Collective platform. You will be contacted within 2 days of applying. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an online interview with our Founder/CEO within 5 days. Successful applicants will undergo background checks via Volunteer Now. Agreement to participate in Mindfulness and safeguarding training, which are mandatory for this role must be provided prior contractual confirmation. We aim to finalise placements on a first come first served basis, based on our organisational needs. Let’s use creativity to drive social change. Join the collective today!

• Identify Your Group: Find at least one group of 5+ young people (13 - 18yrs) to mentor between February - Dec.
• Engage in Enhanced Disclosure with Barred List, participate in Safeguarding Training and ensure safeguarding, consent and ethical boundaries in all onsite youth spaces.
• Escalate safeguarding or wellbeing risks appropriately and promptly.
• Secure a Space: Identify a community space or school to host your mentorship sessions.
• Engage in online and onsite training in Belfast to experience our globally acclaimed 4 step framework (FEEL - IMAGINE - DO - SHARE) that has empowered more than 2 million children and young people to lead civic action in more than 70 countries.
• Lead the Framework: Guide your group through the 4 steps:

• FEEL: Help group identify an issue affecting their lives or mental health.
• IMAGINE: Co-create an innovative solution, integrating artistic expression and artivism.
• DO: Take arts-based action to make a difference and address the issue.
• SHARE: Tell their "Story of Change" to the world, at a school assembly or in a community setting.

Skills and experience gained include adaptability, children's support, communication skills, community development, event management, exhibition arts, fundraising, interpersonal skills, leadership, mental health, mentoring, music arts, painting, performing arts instruction, problem solving, public relations, reporting & dashboards, resilience, SWOT/GAP analysis, self-awareness, strategic planning, teaching/instruction, teamwork, theatre arts, time management, visual arts, youth activities management, and youth services.

Community-Based Artists For Change Youth Mentors.