Inspire::Volunteer for Inspire Programmes

Volunteer for Inspire Programmes

Our top volunteering priorities for this school year are listed below.

If you can offer volunteers or other forms of support, please volunteer onlineor contact our Work-related Learning Project Manager, Kita Jiwani on 020 7275 6060 or email her at kita.jiwani@inspire-ebp.org.uk

Enterprise Workshops – one day events

Today all young people need to acquire the enterprise skills that will help them to deal with the challenges and uncertainties of the 21st Century. They need to know how to make things happen for themselves, to use their initiative, solve problems and know how things work in the real world.

Inspire has developed a range of new one day Enterprise workshops all of which will present groups of young people with challenges, based on real-life scenarios, that will give them opportunities to take real responsibility for developing their own solutions and working together as self-managed teams. We expect to deliver around 20 of these days over the school year, each for 100-200 students.

Volunteers are needed to act as facilitators and advisors to students as they tackle the challenges set, contribute to group discussions and exercises and share their own experiences and learning at work.

Presentation, Application and Interview Skills Days

Our one day Getting P.A.I.D. workshops support pupils in developing their awareness of the job application process and the skills needed to be successful when applying for a job or college place. The day includes interactive role-play sessions with professional actors, workshops on preparing a C.V and filling out an application form, group exercises and practice job interviews for all students.

We expect to deliver about 8 of these events over the school year, each for 100-200 students.

Volunteers are needed to act as facilitators to groups of students as they participate in a range of exercises and group discussions and will also be asked to share their own experiences of applying for jobs and their career pathways. Some volunteers will be needed to give students practice job interviews.

Primary Pupil Mentoring

Groups of five or more volunteers are required to visit primary schools on a weekly or fortnightly basis to support children on a one to one or small group basis with a particular subject or skill area.

Reading Partners will help children to practise their reading. Number Partners will play simple maths games with pupils to develop their mental maths and confidence with numbers. ICT, science, sports, and playtime partners are also needed, as are Transition Mentors who can support a child from primary school through to their first terms at secondary school.

World of Work Visitors

All schools are now required to deliver work-related learning as part of the curriculum, not just through vocational courses, but for all young people, including through their core subjects. Teachers are looking for real-work contexts, tasks and information to make their teaching as relevant as possible to the real world.

We need individuals or pairs of volunteers that could visit a class or group of students, in school, to present them with a vocational challenge, act as an advisor, provide students with case study or research material, give a presentation or demonstration, talk about workplace applications of curriculum or vocational subjects or to talk about their own career paths and experiences in the workplace.

The length of visits will vary and can be negotiated with the school. Many will be just one or two hours. We aim to build up a pool of available volunteers to help us respond quickly to requests from schools for visitors.

Vocational Volunteers

More and more young people, of all abilities, are now studying vocational courses in schools as well as colleges.

These students have a real enthusiasm for learning about modern working practices and for developing their own skills and understanding through researching or working for a real local business. Their teachers would also appreciate your help in designing up to date and relevant teaching materials.

Students would like to:

  • Meet employees and find out about their roles and responsibilities, working practices and career paths
  • Write a case study about your business, the challenges you encounter or your ways of working
  • Carry out a real-life project or research assignment to benefit your organisation

Courses currently running in Hackney and seeking support from the associated industries are:
  • Health and Social Care
  • Motor Vehicle Studies
  • Construction Trades
  • Business and Finance
  • Childcare
  • Information and Communication Technology
  • Manufacturing
  • Applied Art and Design
  • Engineering
  • Hairdressing and Beauty
  • Hospitality and Catering
  • Music and Media
  • Applied Science
  • Leisure and Tourism

Volunteer Skills and Support

Volunteers for the above events need good interpersonal and communication skills, an enthusiasm for working with young people and a commitment to raising their aspirations. No prior experience of working with young people is required.

Volunteers will be expected to take part in a briefing or training session beforehand to prepare them and give them more details about their role and responsibilities and the structure of the programme. These can be delivered on company premises. Volunteers will also be given support materials, resources and timetables.

If you can help recruit volunteers from your company or volunteer yourself, please contact Jenny Bernard at Inspire on 020 7275 6060 or email info@inspire-ebp.org.uk