Power hour, powerful impact: Why volunteering as a tutor is the ultimate “win-win”
Most professionals spend at least an hour a week in meetings that could have been an email. But what if that same hour could change a child’s life?
The attainment gap between disadvantaged pupils and their peers is at the widest it’s been in over 10 years. While many of us have enjoyed successful careers built on the foundation of our own schooling, thousands of young people are currently struggling to reach their potential.
With 14 years’ experience working with wonderful volunteers, we know that the talent needed to close this gap already exists (see our latest impact data). And it could be sitting right there in your office!
Whether you are an individual looking to give back or a Social Value Lead searching for a simple intervention with high-impact to support your social-value goals, here is why volunteering as a tutor is the ultimate professional “win-win.”
1. It fits your calendar
The biggest barrier to volunteering is often time. However, our one-hour-a-week programmes fit seamlessly into the lives of working professionals.
“Flexibility is very important for my day-to-day commitments at work. I am desk based and mainly working from the office, so tutoring sessions are well adapted to people working at offices.”
Javier, volunteer tutor
Whether you are working from the office or home, our online tutoring option means you can make a difference without even leaving your desk. Many of our tutors find that a morning session acts as an antidote to burnout, leaving them feeling energised for the rest of the work day.
2. No teaching degree? No problem.
You don’t need to be a formal educator to be a tutor. We provide the tools, the workbooks, and the training; you provide the encouragement and perspective.
“The workbooks and training are very clear and well laid out. If you come with an open mind and listen to the needs of the young people, you will be able to help them, even if you do not have prior teaching experience.”
Ian, volunteer tutor
3. Tutoring is professional development
Volunteering is of course about giving back, but it’s about sharpening your own edge. Tutoring builds essential transferable skills:
- Communication: Explaining complex ideas simply.
- Leadership: Mentoring a young person through challenges.
- Confidence: Stepping outside your usual working bubble.
“The main benefit for me has been with the increased confidence working with students. I’m hoping to build on that in the future when representing my profession and industry.”
Dave, volunteer tutor
How your company can get involved
Corporate partnerships are instrumental in driving our mission forward. For CSR/Social Value leads, we offer a low-friction, high-impact partnership. We manage the logistics and provide the resources, while your employees provide the impact.
By integrating tutoring into your CSR strategy, you aren’t just meeting social value targets; you are boosting employee retention and wellbeing.
“Action Tutoring has been a strong partner to work with—clear, responsive, and highly organised, with a delivery model that makes it straightforward for our colleagues to get involved and stay engaged.
Luke Richardson, Head of Social Value, Amentum
The quality of their impact data and reporting has been particularly valuable, giving us credible evidence we can take internally to demonstrate the real-world value of our employees’ time.
Just as importantly, the flexibility of the programme—whether tutoring online or in-school, and a manageable weekly commitment—means it fits around the working lives of professional staff.”
Take the next step
Ready to turn your next “spare hour” into a milestone for a pupil facing disadvantage?
- Individuals: Sign up to tutor today
- CSR Leads: Fill out our expression of interest form to book a chat with our Corporate Partnerships Manager.
