Ready to learn new skills, meet new people and make a positive difference to teenagers who are often struggling in today’s world and their communities?
A place for everyone
Whatever your experience and skills you can help young people flourish: teaching, engineering, team building, maintenance, communications, catering, fund raising, electrical, administration, photography, sports coaching, IT, finance, driving.
Volunteer with us and MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
We have a range of different roles to choose from:
Watersports instructor
Share your love of being out on the water with the next generation, through the opportunity to teach watersports such as kayaking, sailing, powerboating, canoeing, rowing and windsurfing. Don't worry if you don't have prior experience, with us you can gain national qualifications with the RYA and BCU to teach, all you need is lots of enthusiasm!
Unit management team
If you aren't able to commit to a regular volunteering role, there's still plenty of ways you can get involved and make an impact – no commitment is too small and a role on a unit's Management Team could be a perfect fit. You could volunteer in roles such as Chairperson, Treasurer, Secretary or Fundraising. These roles are perfect if you're not able to be at your local Sea Cadets unit every week, or if you have a specialist skill you'd like to share.
Unit instructor
Whether you opt to be a uniformed leader, or wear your own clothes, you can be hands-on, teaching cadets at your local unit. You'll run lessons, activities, games, projects and events that help cadets progress through The Sea Cadets Experience, gaining qualifications and confidence as they go. A role at a unit is ideal if you can support local young people on a regular basis, are happy to throw yourself into teaching activities and seek a rewarding role where you'll be the key to helping young people flourish into confident, capable young adults.
The commitment?
For Watersports and Unit instructors
All of our volunteers need to undertake an enhanced DBS check (we pay for this), and then a programme of mandatory training core modules.
All training is free.
At Guildford Sea Cadets we have 2 parade nights each week (Monday and Thursday 6.45pm until 9pm). Whilst you don’t need to attend every parade night every week, these are the times the majority of our activities take place and you will need to be available.
We offer some cadet activities at weekends, and there is opportunity to attend other training, activities and camps on weekends and during the week in school holidays.
For Unit management team
The team meet roughly 10 times a year at the unit, some remote participation is possible. Meetings are approximately 90 minutes long and in the evening.
Being part of the management team means participating in decision making affecting the finance of the unit and its activities, premises maintenance, health and safety requirements, facilities for cadets, fundraising activities, and more.
Meet Guildford Sea Cadet Corps
The group was founded in October 1942, becoming the 164th unit to be formed in the country. There are now more than 400 units nationwide.
Structure
We have 3 distinct detachments within the Unit:
- Junior Sea Cadets
For 10 to 12-year-olds, our entry level programme offers junior sea cadets a fun, hands on learning experience that encourages them to learn skills they can build upon, during their time with the Sea Cadets and supports their transition to becoming a senior cadet post their 12th birthday. - Sea Cadets
For 12 to 18-year-olds, young people can join as a Sea Cadet and work their way up through the training programme. When cadets turn 18, they can either leave the Corps or they can stay and train as an instructor. - Royal Marines Cadets
For 13 to 18-year-olds, part of the Sea Cadets family, Royal Marines Cadets enjoy all the exciting activities on water that Sea Cadets do, as well as branching off into serious adventure training too. Specialising in orienteering, field craft and weapons handling is what makes Royal Marines Cadets unique.
We have a current membership of approximately 50 cadets, but we want to GROW!
Facilities
Our building is right in the centre of Guildford town, providing easy access via public transport and parking for volunteers. We’re right on the river, so we don’t have to transport cadets to access our core waterbased activities.
We have 2 large halls, catering facilities, a parade square and a building which has been upgraded to provide overnight accommodation which facilitates training weekends.
Our cadets have access to 2 rowing boats, 3 power boats, 6 standup paddle boards, 20+ kayaks, access to sailing boats and canoes at nearby cadet-owned facilities.
Training
You do NOT need to have a military background as full training will be given. There is no minimum health requirement, anyone can join and do their part.
And most of all it's fun!
Once you have completed your basic training (this includes safeguarding, data governance and working with young people) you can access so many training opportunities depending on the specialist area you want to pursue, here is just a few:
Watersport instructor, Adventure training, Fieldcraft, Physical Training, Seamanship, Leadership, Drill, Cadet Instructor, First aid, Catering, Skill at Arms, Peer Educator….and many more.
What other volunteers say
We currently have a great team of 20 volunteers and 7 members of the Unit Management Team. More volunteers means we can open our doors to more young people!
This is what our current volunteers say about being Sea and Royal Marines Cadets:
“Everyone’s lives are very busy - but it’s truly refreshing to step out of your normal day to day “work life” to give time to others. As an ex parent with a cadet who grew through the unit to become staff - it’s great to be part of such a positive group of staff and kids and we have a lot of fun in the process.” - David, paddlesport instructor
“Watching a cadet paddle on the Wey or confidently and safely handle a powerboat, when a couple of weeks previously they had no experience is one of the reasons I volunteer. The confidence the cadets gain from their skills on the water is very rewarding to see. Equally, off the water it is rewarding to see them work as a team, train for a inter-unit competition or face down individual challenges, such as public speaking, which they may not do in other spheres of their life. The cadets really bond - and being part of opening up opportunities for these cadets is why I volunteer.” - Fred, Cadet Instructor/Officer in charge
“I was firstly a parent of a cadet, I then became a civilian volunteer who had never kayaked before. With the help, guidance and support of the staff at Guildford I am now a qualified kayak coach.
There is nothing more rewarding than taking a bunch of young cadets who have never paddled before and seeing them become confident paddlers who have gone on to win competitions for Sea Cadets and other clubs.
Being part of Sea Cadets has not only broadened my Horizons but also helped me become a much more confident person.” - Richard, paddlesport instructor
"It is a great privilege to see our young people develop during their time in the and to hear from parents just what a role the Sea Cadets has played in this. Our volunteers do a magnificent job in providing so many opportunities for the cadets to benefit from. It is great to be part of the management team which, as trustees of the unit’s charity, ensure that the resources, which are essential for the unit’s successful running, are available." - Jim Robertson, Chair, Unit Management Team
Dave's story...
“I was with the Boys Brigade before joining the Sea Cadets in 1977 at Lambeth unit in London, I was there for about six months before going back to the Boys Brigade until 1979 when the all the armed forces came to my school to do a presentation, after the Navy's presentation I told my Social Worker that I wanted to join the Navy.
She went off and found Streatham Sea Cadets in London, I joined the unit and for my first course was a parade and general, my first specialisation course my CO said Tomo you are going on a PT course, "I said ok Sir" and 40 years on I have not looked back. I have done other courses and to this day I can tell you about every day on every course I have been on.
I have worked with young people inside and outside cadets and my aim is always the same to give them the belief and support I got when I was a child of care.
My role as a Detachment Commander was good, my role as the Junior Training officer was good and interesting, my role as Commanding Officer was important, good and different, my role that I am moving on too as a Warrant Officer will be challenging but equally important and will be very interesting.
All my position have and will be rewarding and I would not change any of them because to hear ex cadets say because of Sea Cadets I am where I am today is the same for me and so, so rewarding.” - WO2 Dave Thomas
Ready to join?
Supporting young people to grow and progress brings a sense of purpose and above all else, it’s FUN!
Contact us today to find out how you can make a difference >
