It’s Student Volunteering Week, and we’re taking this opportunity to celebrate all of the 134 student volunteer tutors who are giving up their time to support our young pupils.
Why did you apply to be a volunteer tutor for The Access Project?
I applied to be a volunteer tutor for The Access Project because I wanted to try something new outside of my university studies and it looked like a rewarding opportunity, and I really loved the ethos and goals of the organisation.
What has been the most rewarding part of volunteering?
The most rewarding part of volunteering has been seeing my student grow in confidence and realising that I can potentially make a difference to their studies and help them to achieve their best.
I feel a sense of pride in knowing that I have dedicated time to support somebody to reach their full potential.
What has been the most challenging part of volunteering?
I would say the most challenging part has been making sure to plan effective lessons so I can make the best use of time we have and fitting it around my existing busy schedule.
The facilitators are all very helpful and any queries I have are always answered promptly. Also, the training session was thorough, and we were given so many useful resources.
What would you say to anyone who is considering applying to become a volunteer?
I would urge them to apply because I have found it really rewarding.
I have really enjoyed building a relationship with my tutee and seeing them grow in confidence. Hearing positive feedback about how I am making a difference is lovely to hear.
And finally…
This will help me in the future because, if I want to do other tutoring roles in the future, I now have specific experience of 1-on-1 tutoring. It has given me invaluable skills such as planning and time management.
I think that the core aims and ethos of the organisation are amazing. As somebody who has often found studying challenging or felt intimidated when applying to top universities, I wish I had known about something like this when I was younger.