Janet, retired tutor in London

Before volunteering with Action Tutoring, Janet was a Governor at one of our partner schools and saw the positive impact our programme was having on the pupils.

Here is what Janet says about tutoring with us:

I’ve retired from full-time paid work and decided to try volunteering with a few different organisations. Action Tutoring has been one of the easiest to fit into my schedule. Having a regular weekly slot works well for me, and because I’m already in central London for the session, I often turn it into a full day—visiting art galleries and museums afterwards. For anyone wondering how to make it work, I’d say treat it as a fixed appointment in your calendar—it becomes a rhythm in your week rather than a burden.

The beginning and end of the programme stand out to me. At the start, everyone’s getting to know each other and it’s fun breaking the ice. By the end, it’s rewarding to see how much the pupils have matured. They open up more, start talking about their future plans, and you can reflect together on everything they’ve achieved over the year. It’s good to see their confidence grow. The programme coordinators have been fantastic. They’re always approachable, friendly, and genuinely invested in the pupils’ progress. They’re happy to chat through any questions or discuss how students are doing.

If you could describe your experience with Action Tutoring in three words, what would they be and why?

Rewarding, purposeful, inspiring. Rewarding because it feels good to make a tangible difference; purposeful because you know your time is being well spent; and inspiring because the pupils’ resilience and progress are genuinely motivating.

To someone considering volunteering with Action Tutoring, I’d say give it a go—you don’t need to be a subject expert or a former teacher. The training and resources guide you through everything, and the sessions are very structured. As for time, even one hour a week can make a real difference. Volunteering has sharpened my own thinking and communication skills, and it’s reminded me how valuable one-to-one support can be. It’s also helped me feel connected to younger generations.