Become a Volunteer Cadet Unit Leader
Inspire Young People. Build Stronger Communities. Make a Difference.
Location: New Forest
Hours: Approximately 3 hours per week, Thursday evenings term time only.
Salary: Volunteer Role
Closing Date: Sunday 13th September 2026 at 23:59 hours
Volunteer Police Cadet Unit Leader - New Forest
Are you an experienced leader who is passionate about supporting young people and making a positive difference in your community?
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary is looking for a dedicated Volunteer Police Cadet Unit Leader to lead and develop our New Forest Cadet Unit.
This is a rewarding leadership role where you'll oversee the safe and effective running of the unit, lead a team of volunteers, and help local young people build confidence, resilience and life skills. You'll work closely with local policing teams and community partners, creating opportunities for cadets to contribute positively to their communities while developing into active and responsible citizens.
If you have leadership experience, an understanding of working with young people and a commitment to safeguarding, this is an opportunity to make a lasting difference.
What You'll Be Doing
As the Volunteer Police Cadet Unit Leader, you will take overall responsibility for leading and developing the New Forest Cadet Unit. You'll lead a team of volunteers, oversee the safe delivery of cadet activities, and ensure the welfare and development of the young people within the programme. Working with local policing teams, parents and community partners, you'll help create opportunities for cadets to learn new skills, support local initiatives and make a positive difference in their communities.
This is a position of trust and responsibility, offering the chance to directly influence the experiences, confidence and future aspirations of local young people.
About You
We're looking for a confident, enthusiastic and dependable leader who is committed to helping young people achieve their potential.
Experience of leading people, working with young people or supporting safeguarding activities would be highly beneficial. This may have been gained through youth work, education, coaching, scouting, guiding, cadet organisations, community projects or similar roles.
You will ideally demonstrate:
- Strong leadership and organisational skills
- Confidence in motivating and supporting others
- Good judgement and a strong sense of responsibility
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
- An understanding of safeguarding and supporting young people
- A commitment to inclusion, diversity and equality of opportunity
- Alignment with our values of Integrity, Respect, Empathy and Public Service
Full training and ongoing support will be provided.
What You'll Gain
Few volunteer opportunities offer the chance to have such a lasting impact on young people's lives while developing your own skills and experience.
As a Cadet Unit Leader, you'll see first-hand the difference your leadership makes as young people grow in confidence, develop new skills and achieve things they may never have thought possible. You'll play a key role in shaping the future of local young people while helping to strengthen relationships between policing and the communities we serve.
You'll also benefit from:
- Comprehensive training and ongoing support
- Opportunities to develop leadership, mentoring and communication skills
- Valuable experience that can support your career and personal development
- Building relationships with local policing teams and community organisations
- Being part of a supportive and inspiring volunteer network
- The satisfaction of knowing you've helped young people reach their potential and make a positive contribution to their community
For many of our volunteers, the greatest reward is seeing the confidence, resilience and ambition that young people develop as a result of their support.
Time Commitment
The New Forest Cadet Unit meets on Thursday evenings from 6pm to 8pm.
Most Unit Leaders volunteer approximately 3 hours per week, with occasional additional time for community events and activities. We understand the importance of flexibility and will work with you wherever possible.
Interested?
If you're looking for a rewarding volunteer opportunity where you can inspire young people, develop your own skills and make a positive impact in your community, we'd love to hear from you.
Competencies and Personal Qualities
We are Emotionally Aware Level 1
We Support and Inspire Level 1
We Take Ownership Level 1
Values
When applying, you will have the opportunity to tell us how you are meeting the criteria outlined on the advert. Please use concrete examples that demonstrate the level of your knowledge/skills.
You can use specific examples from your career or personal life to demonstrate your competence and describe how recently you have used your skills,
Read through the competencies hyperlinked above: these, in fact provide clear expectations for everyone working in policing.
They also describe the behaviours required by you, as a police officer or member of staff or volunteer, to be effective in your role.
Candidate Guidance for Completing an Application Form.
Click the 'Apply' button below to begin your application.
For further information about the Volunteer Police Cadet programme, visit our cadet pages or contact the Recruitment Team at police.recruitment@hampshire.police.uk.
