Our Reach: Merseyside and Cheshire

Why volunteer as a tutor in the North West

Liverpool is famous for its football team, its maritime heritage, and for producing The Beatles. Named the European capital of culture in 2008, the city has the most museums outside of London. It became a member of a group of world heritage monuments, including the Taj Mahal and Venice, when it was designated as a UNESCO Global Heritage Site in 2004.

Despite these impressive accolades, in 2019 Liverpool was ranked as the third most deprived local authority out of 317 English local authorities. In 2021, 24% of its child population (under 16) were living in relative poverty, and 19% in absolute poverty. 

These figures rise in certain areas of the city. In 2021, it was reported that 38% of children in the Liverpool Riverside constituency were living in poverty, 37% in Walton and 36% in Wavertree. 

The Government defines people in “relative low income” as those living in households with income below 60% of the median in that year. People in absolute low income are those living in households with an income below 60% of (inflation adjusted) median income in a base year, usually 2010/11.

Evidence shows that pupils from low income families are less likely to perform well in school, since there are more obstacles in the way of their academic progress (such as lack of access to technology or extra resources). This limits their opportunities later in life, whether they’re applying for apprenticeships, studying A-Levels or seeking employment. 

Action Tutoring is committed to improving the academic outcomes of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, demonstrated through our impact data. Read on to find out how you can support these children by volunteer tutoring in Merseyside or Cheshire.

Action Tutoring in Merseyside and Cheshire

Working with multiple schools across England has helped us recognise the needs of schools and better understand the demands and pressures that schools are under, especially after the pandemic. Since launching in Liverpool in spring 2014, we have been working with volunteers to deliver tutoring programmes in a number of schools across the city. In autumn 2019, we began supporting pupils in Wirral and we expanded this reach to include Chester and Southport in 2021.

Read our “Spotlight on Chester” here.

We do more than just tutor. Our volunteers also serve as role models, motivating pupils to overcome learning barriers and achieve their potential in life. We are working hard to grow our volunteer tutor community in the north west region and are keen to engage more volunteers locally in Liverpool to support our face-to-face programmes.

By tutoring in Merseyside or Cheshire for just one hour a week, you will directly support disadvantaged pupils to build their confidence and help ensure they leave school with the grades needed to build a bright future, as well as developing your own skills. 

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!

Paige, volunteer tutor in Liverpool

Some of our current volunteering opportunities in Merseyside and Cheshire take place with pupils from the following partner schools:

Find out more information about becoming a volunteer or partnering as a school in Merseyside and Cheshire.

Merseyside and Cheshire Programme Team

• Grace Atkinson (North West Programme Manager (maternity leave))
• Gabi Cumming (North West Programme Manager (maternity cover))
• Jane Pughe (Liverpool Programme Coordinator)
• Laura Foley (North West Programme Coordinator )
• Sophie Tan (Liverpool Programme Coordinator)