Why your 2022 new year’s resolutions should include volunteering with Action Tutoring

As surprising as it may seem, given many of us are still processing 2020, 2022 is just around the corner. This is the perfect time to pause and reflect on what’s important to us, clear our mind and work towards achieving new goals. Setting resolutions can be a great way to focus on the person we want to become by improving our skills, developing new ones and getting out of our comfort zone.

At Action Tutoring we believe that one of the most important resolutions we can set for ourselves is making a positive change in the world. Volunteering as a tutor is a great way to do this and we encourage everyone to find time in 2022 to join.

Tutoring provides a tangible way to grow personally and professionally. This is what one of our our amazing volunteers from Liverpool, Paige, said about her experience:

I have gained valuable transferable skills whilst volunteering with Action Tutoring. It has given me experience of a career path I hadn’t previously considered. The impact you can have on a child’s life is one of the most rewarding things any volunteering could offer!

Our volunteer tutors have not only made a positive impact on the lives of disadvantaged young people, but they have experienced positive benefits for themselves too.

Here is why you should include volunteering with Action Tutoring in your 2022 resolutions:

Volunteering as a tutor leads to self awareness

Volunteering is an eye opening experience which can help to identify your strengths, areas to improve and your personal values. Volunteering as a tutor can be an excellent way to improve your self-awareness through the feedback you receive and as you develop your skills.

A great way to track this development is by reflecting after each session. Writing down any new learnings, skills developed or observations will provide a valuable resource to refer back to for future tutoring sessions or other activities.

Volunteering can boost your interpersonal skills and confidence

Volunteering with Action Tutoring can be a brilliant way to enhance your interpersonal skills as you interact with people of different ages from different backgrounds, cultures and experiences in new situations.

As a tutor, you will practise active listening and asking open-ended questions to your pupils during the tutoring sessions, these are valuable transferable skills for the workplace and socially.

Time doesn’t need to be a barrier

We understand how hectic our daily life can be so we ask all our volunteers to simply give one hour each week to tutor and directly support disadvantaged pupils. Time shouldn’t be a barrier for your 2022 resolutions.

Amber, currently in her final year, studying for her BA in History at Nottingham Trent University has said that “the actual delivery of the session plus planning time is completely doable alongside other commitments”. She would urge anyone considering an application not to worry about whether they can fit it in as it is “totally manageable”. She also expressed how “the benefits of tutoring are endless but above all, children are our future and each child deserves that chance to prosper, blossom and thrive”.

Let’s make sure 2022 the year of giving back.

How Action Tutoring’s partner schools benefit from our volunteers

Action Tutoring’s volunteers are an invaluable resource to our partner schools. Not only do they help pupils achieve better grades, but they also serve as positive role models who support them so they can thrive at school and later in life.

Our mission at Action Tutoring is to support young people facing socio-economic disadvantage to achieve a meaningful level of academic attainment. We do this by partnering with primary and secondary schools in England where a higher than average percentage of pupils are eligible for Pupil Premium funding.

Our tutors are committed individuals who contribute towards lowering the attainment gap and create a supportive environment for pupils so that they can feel confident and motivated to do better academically.

Volunteer tutors play an important role in helping state schools provide equal opportunities to all pupils. Our core value is that everyone has the right to educational support and resources no matter their background. Our team at Action Tutoring is highly motivated and excited to work towards a brighter future for all young people.

We understand the demands and pressures that schools are under, especially after the pandemic. This is why we encourage primary and secondary schools to partner with us so we can deliver sustainable and effective support to young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The flexibility and desire to accommodate and work with our staff and pupils prior to and throughout the pandemic has been first rate. Communication and clarity of intent have always been clear and acted on swiftly, ensuring staff and pupils have been brilliantly supported. The commitment and desire to develop and advance our pupils has been superb.

Ben Carter – Assistant Headteacher, Bohunt Worthing

Why Action Tutoring?

Our Programme Coordinators are dedicated members of staff working closely with teachers to make sure all our programmes run smoothly and efficiently. They are all passionate about educational equality and work hard to ensure pupils gain the most from their tutoring sessions with our volunteers.

Launching our online tutoring sessions during lockdown was an important step to help pupils who were hit hard by the pandemic and school closures. From September 2019 to March 2020, before the disruption, pupils supported by Action Tutoring made an average of +12% progress from their initial assessment, conducted at the start of their programme, to their progress assessment in February. You can read more about the impact of our tutoring programmes here.

Who are our volunteers?

Our amazing volunteers care about the wellbeing of the pupils, and not just their general academic success. During our recruitment process, we make sure that tutors are caring and empathetic individuals with a genuine interest in making a difference and helping young people.

We carefully assess all our applications and work with volunteers that have a strong academic background (at least a B at A Level in the subject they want to tutor). We also make sure they have excellent communication skills in order to effectively pass on their knowledge to their pupils.

The three main groups of volunteers we work with are already employed corporate volunteers working full-time or part time, university students, and retired professionals, including former teachers, who all believe in our mission. They are dedicated volunteers who want to give back to their community and share their knowledge with young people.

Watch the video below to learn more about the benefits of partnering with us.

Pupils will feel the benefit of having positive role models around them, who are giving their time to support others, investing in their education and supporting their school. Some might even be inspired to volunteer later in life and learn the importance of giving.

If you’re interested in partnering with Action Tutoring, or simply looking for more information, please complete the application form below.

Why volunteering as a tutor is the best Christmas gift

The holiday season is an excellent opportunity to get involved in volunteering and give your time to help others who are facing challenges or are less fortunate. As December rolls on, the pressure to spend becomes even stronger and makes us forget the true meaning of Christmas. The best way to spread the holiday spirit and joy is to give back to those who need it the most.

That’s why we encourage you to not get worried about what Christmas gifts to buy, but instead spend some time thinking about how rewarding the experience of volunteering is.

Action Tutoring gives you the opportunity to support disadvantaged pupils so they can have a stronger learning foundation and a firm footing for a bright future.

Even if you’re not based in one of our regions, or you have responsibilities that require you to be at home, you can still get involved as an online tutor.

Here you can find all the information about volunteering with us from the moment you apply until the final step when you get to meet your pupils and start tutoring!

We believe volunteering helps you grow as a person and understand the importance of giving back to the community. Helping us close the attainment gap between disadvantaged young people and their peers is the best Christmas gift you can give, not only to yourself, but also to your community.

Here’s why volunteering with Action Tutoring is an excellent way to strengthen the true spirit of giving during the holiday season:

Volunteering will give you a sense of fulfilment

If you’re feeling down during the festive season perhaps because you’re missing a loved one or are overwhelmed by all of the preparations, volunteering can give you a sense of purpose and help you gain perspective. Studies show it also helps you combat stress, anxiety, depression and anger. It’s an eye-opening experience that reminds us all to appreciate what we have and be more grateful.

Set a good example 

With so many family members present during the holidays, why not serve as a role model for the children (or even the adults) and teach them the importance of giving? This can help your family, particularly the younger members, recognise the benefits of volunteering. Philanthropy, altruism and kindness are taught by example.

Volunteering creates strong relationships

When you help others, you form a special connection with them and with your fellow volunteers, who may be people from outside your social circle; people you would not normally interact with. Volunteering with Action Tutoring is an opportunity to form meaningful connections with like-minded people – what a great gift!

Finally, the holidays can be incredibly tough for families barely making ends meet. Pupils from from lower socio-economic backgrounds may be experiencing stressful or challenging situations at home.

By volunteering as a tutor, you are making sure disadvantaged pupils get the academic support they need in order to secure a better future for themselves and their families.

At Action Tutoring we believe education is the only way to stop the vicious cycle of poverty and financial exclusion. We are committed to giving young people the same opportunities as their peers so that they can have the confidence to follow their dreams and help others do the same.