Investing in Volunteer Development
At Independent Youth Volunteer Support (IYVS), we believe that volunteers who dedicate their time to supporting young people deserve access to quality training and ongoing professional development.
Our grantmaking programme provides financial support to help youth work volunteers access the skills, knowledge, and qualifications they need to make a meaningful difference in their communities.
What We Fund
IYVS grants are designed to support the personal and professional growth of volunteers working with young people. Our funding can be used for:
Training Courses
Access to accredited training programmes in youth work, safeguarding, mental health first aid, and other relevant areas that enhance your ability to support young people.
Professional Qualifications
Support for pursuing recognised qualifications in youth work, coaching, mentoring, or other specialisations that strengthen your volunteer practice.
Skills Development
Funding for workshops, conferences, and learning opportunities that build practical skills in areas such as communication, leadership, safeguarding, and inclusive practice.
Specialist Training
Support for niche or specialist training that addresses specific needs within your volunteer role, such as working with particular communities or tackling specific youth issues.
Who Can Apply
Our grants are available to volunteers who are actively involved in youth work across the UK, including but not limited to:
- Youth group leaders and helpers
- Scout and Guide volunteers
- Sports coaches and activity instructors
- Mentors and befrienders
- Community youth workers
- Volunteer trustees and coordinators in youth organisations
We welcome applications from volunteers at all stages of their journey — whether you're just starting out or looking to deepen your existing skills and knowledge.
How to Apply
Applying for a grant is straightforward. We ask applicants to provide:
- A brief description of your volunteer role and the organisation you work with
- Details of the training or development opportunity you wish to pursue
- An explanation of how this learning will benefit the young people you support
- A breakdown of the costs involved
Ready to apply?
For full application guidelines, eligibility criteria, and to submit your application, please visit our grants portal or contact our team for more information.
Our Commitment
We are committed to making our grant process accessible, fair, and supportive. We understand that volunteers often give their time and energy freely — and we want to make sure that accessing development opportunities is as straightforward as possible.
All applications are reviewed with care, and we aim to respond to every submission within a reasonable timeframe.
Please note that all grants are subject to availability of funding and compliance with our Grant Disclaimer and related policies.