YM pastoral care role outline

Be part of the pastoral care team at YM 2025

The pastoral care team offers help to Friends who need support during Yearly Meeting and the preparatory sessions (online and in person). It consists of seven Friends who are appointed as the Yearly Meeting Pastoral Care Group (PCG) and a number of volunteers. As a member of the team, you will provide a listening ear, in a safe, inclusive space to help participants deal with issues and feelings which have arisen at Yearly Meeting and the preparatory sessions. We share a responsibility to ensure that Yearly Meeting is experienced as a caring and inclusive community. You do not have to be an expert. You may need to signpost Friends who need intensive support to other specialist services.

The Youth, Children and Families Programme staff and volunteer team, with their pastoral support friend, provide pastoral care for their participants. However, if a child or young person comes to the pastoral support team, the PCG will step in, with pastoral care volunteers’ focus remaining on those aged 18 or over.

This volunteer role is subject to satisfactory safer recruitment checks including a Basic DBS with Adult workforce.

Duties of a pastoral care volunteer

  • To provide support in person and at times by telephone and Zoom
  • To seek advice or further support when needed from the Pastoral Care Group
  • To and adhere to the BYM Community Agreement and Safeguarding Guidelines
  • To maintain a basic record of dates and manner of contact

Backgrounds, skills or qualities for a pastoral care volunteer

  • Some experience of pastoral care
  • Happy to work in a team
  • Welcoming, empathetic, and unhurried
  • Ability to use appropriate active listening skills
  • Able to signpost Friends to appropriate services
  • Respect and maintain confidentiality and healthy boundaries
  • Some previous experience supporting a range of pastoral care needs, including those arising from disability, access, mental health is desirable
  • Willing and able to participate in training to support their role
  • Willing to obtain a criminal record check, provide 2 referees
  • Able to attend Zoom meetings of the pastoral care team

Commitment required

  • Attend induction meetings: 7 to 8:30pm on Wednesdays 20 February, 13 March, 3 April.
  • Attend disability rights training (to be arranged), and undertake safeguarding training
  • Register for Yearly Meeting: 23 to 26 May 2025 (registration opens on 8 January).