Who we are looking for

Children growing up in inner city London come from different racial, socio-economic and religious backgrounds, and have widely differing home lives, values and educational support.  Many are overcoming all the barriers associated with poverty or complex family backgrounds.  So to inspire them and to earn their respect, we need to be diverse and we need to be exceptional.

Our policy is to recruit a broad mix of young people.  Our only criteria are that you must be aged between 18 and 25 and you must be passionate about transforming the lives of children and young people.

We recruit high quality graduates and post A-level students but we also recruit young people who have not followed an academic path.  Your passion and dedication to transforming children’s lives is what matters most.  You need be exceptional in your commitment to helping children.

There isn’t a “typical” corps member but we look for people that demonstrate these qualities:  passion, idealism, energy, commitment, dedication, tirelessness, optimism, hope, selflessness, thoughtfulness, pride, leadership, focus, ambition.

Volunteering with City Year is not an easy option.  A year of service in a school is hard work and can be tiring – but the rewards are immense!

If you want to change the world, then we are interested in you.

You must be:

• Between the ages of 18-25 upon the commencement of volunteering;
• Have the passion, commitment and emotional maturity to be an inspiring role model for children and an impressive ambassador for young people;
• Eligible to live and work in the EU for eleven months (late August 2012 until late July 2013) and dedicated to volunteering full time with City Year;
• Intend to live in London during your year of citizen service;
• Completed or in the process of completing any of the following:
  • Level 3 qualifications (Advanced) such as A Level, Access courses, BTEC National Diploma/Certificate, NVQ Level 3, Higher National Certificate (HNC), Higher National Diploma (HND), International Baccalaureate Diploma or an undergraduate degree.
  • If you do not meet this minimum academic requirement we will still consider your application if supported by a recommendation from someone who has worked with you in a professional capacity for at least six months e.g. caseworker, youth leader, employer etc. Please contact our recruitment team for further information. 
• Demonstrate that you have a good standard of formal written and spoken English;
• Agree to a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check

“To do City Year, you have to be old enough to change the world, and young enough to still want to.” – James Probert, City Year Programme Director

Ready to join? Learn how to apply.

*Please note that at this time City Year London is unable to support visa applications for individuals not otherwise eligible to live and work in the European Union. Neither are we able to cover the costs of travelling to London from other cities or countries.