Volunteer Leader Roles 2024

Volunteer Leader Roles 2024 with British Exploring Society

British Exploring Society is a world class youth development charity with a unique heritage, founded on the belief that challenging experiences can transform lives, empowering and equipping young people with the courage, skills, resilience and determination to make the most of their future.

We prepare and take young people on expeditions to remote locations where they face challenges, gain skills and learn about themselves - as well as acquiring knowledge relevant to their lives and to the fragile environments that they explore.

The results are transformative – not just in terms of practical skills and resilience, but in a new-found confidence and self-belief which they carry forward to their future life.

More than this, through their adventure together, our young people forge friendships for life and become part of a unique supportive and continuing community of explorers with shared experiences, values and perspectives on the world.

We are committed to building an executive and volunteer team that together represent a diverse variety of backgrounds, skills, and perspectives on the world. The more inclusive we are, the better we think we’ll be at delivering our charitable aims.

We are an equal opportunities employer and do not discriminate on the grounds of gender identity, sexual orientation, marital or civil partner status, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, disability, or age.

If you are interested in applying and require any accessibility adjustments to the interview process, please do let us know when you apply. Thank you.

Upcoming opportunities

Expeditions are between 2 and 6 weeks long and take place during academic holiday periods. We are currently recruiting volunteer Leaders for all our expeditions for Summer 2024.

We welcome applications for all our Leader positions, including Adventure Leaders, Knowledge Leaders, Social Leaders, and Medical Leaders. Additionally, we are keen to hear from those with relevant or transferable senior leadership experience to fulfil our Basecamp Manager, Chief and Deputy Chief Leader roles.

Learn more about the roles available.

Leader Recruitment Pack

For more information about what volunteering with us looks like, please refer to our Leader Recruitment Pack.

Benefits of being a volunteer Leader with us:

Community - Our Volunteer Leader community come from a variety of backgrounds, ages and professions bring a diverse range of skills and experiences. Not only will you become a Member of British Exploring Society after leading with us but will leave with strong bonds and shared memories.

Courage - Set in wild, remote and sometimes harsh environments that young people aren’t used to. Working in this environment and supporting young people requires Leaders to show courage and be adaptable and dynamic, allowing for a unique and new experience - 100% of Leaders said they had acquired new skills.

Challenge – Our expeditions can be challenging. To prepare Leaders we provide high quality training and personal development. This offers Leaders the opportunity to develop & stretch their skills, such as youth work, technical, leadership and facilitation - 74% of Leaders said that volunteering with us had furthered their career.

Self-belief - From beginning to the end, you will be supported whilst developing their confidence. - 90% of our Leaders said they were more confident after expedition.

We are looking for applicants who are:

• Able and passionate about leading, inspiring, and teaching young people.
• Comfortable spending extended periods in remote and sometimes harsh environments.
• Able to commit to all pre- expedition training events. Dates are still being confirmed for the 2024 season though they will be similar to the 2023 pre-expedition training events. Please keep checking the link attached for the 2024 dates.
• Available for expedition for 2 to 6 weeks from mid July

As a charity, all Leader positions are undertaken on a voluntary basis and Leaders join for the intrinsic value of adventure, education, and personal development of young people. You do not have to fundraise to lead on our expeditions.

Prior to expedition all volunteer Leaders will receive training and support. We ask that first time Leaders cover the cost of their flights as part of the group booking booked by British Exploring Society, who will then reclaim the cost from Leaders. Flight costs will be covered for all returning Leaders. Leaders will need to provide their own personal kit as well as vaccinations and visas (if applicable). Leaders may claim expenses for UK training events. All other expedition costs are covered, including insurance, specialist equipment, expedition food and accommodation.

How do I apply?

Please visit https://www.britishexploring.org/lead/ for further info about our volunteer roles. Begin the application process firstly by submitting an expression of interest. Once you have expressed an interest, you will be invited to complete an application which will be reviewed and if successful, you will be invited to attend a digital Leader assessment day. We are currently running Leader assessment days for the 2024 season.

Learn more about the recruitment process through our Leader Recruitment Pack.

If you have any further questions, please contact us directly on expeditions@britishexploring.org