We offer a range of opportunities for employees to engage with our work virtually, from one-off events to long-term volunteering programmes. All of our volunteering opportunities are skills-based and designed to create maximum benefit for the young people we work with whilst also being rewarding and engaging for employees.
YouthLinks – virtual mentoring creating connections across the globe
YouthLinks is an initiative that utilises the power of technology to develop young people’s employability skills through training, mentorship and networking opportunities, supporting them on the path to self-reliance.
YouthLinks digitally connects young people in SOS Children’s Villages’ programmes all over the world with mentors and trainers from the corporate world through an eight-week programme during which young people are matched with volunteers who are best suited to helping them kickstart their career journeys, gaining digital literacy and employment skills. The aim is to help make sure young people are not left at a disadvantage when they transition to the world of work, no matter where they are in the world.
Experience has shown that the employees of our corporate partners who mentor or train young people are: motivated and more loyal to the company after participating in such programmes.
“In a world where we can google every piece of information there is still some knowledge that can be gained through experience, and serving as a mentor is a great example. I personally feel that it’s a two-way street where not only mentees benefit it but as a mentor, it helped me working with different personality which allowed me to strengthen my leadership and coaching skills.”
What countries does YouthLinks operate in?
One-off virtual employee volunteering opportunities
Volunteering doesn’t have to be time-consuming to make an impact. We can create employee engagement opportunities that last approximately 1-1.5 hours per session, using employee skills to support young people from SOS Children’s Villages programmes in developing and enhancing their employability skills.
The topics of these events will be relevant to young people’s interests and needs, for example: becoming an effective leader and changemaker, building resilience and confidence in the workplace, and what to expect on your first day of work.
