Claire with students at her local primary school

Claire's story

“I volunteer at my local primary school, which I attended when I was younger. I went there for work experience in January 2007 and I thought it was great. I looked forward to getting up every morning and going in and helping out. However, before work experience we had an assembly about volunteering. At the time I was interested, but I couldn’t think of something that I would enjoy at the same time. After one day at the primary school, I knew I wanted to be there even more! At the end of my first day, I asked if I could come back and they were happy to have me! I definitely haven't regretted my decision!"

“I now volunteer once a week and work as a classroom assistant helping various members of the class. I find it amazing how I can learn new things off of them all the time, whilst they are learning off of me too. We were once talking about different cultures and in the one classroom (of children aged around seven years old) there were about 15 different languages that could be spoken. I thought it was brilliant and it really emphasised the joys of working with children for me."

“I have always aspired to being a teacher, but volunteering there has made it a more practical dream and I can see myself doing it in the future."

“Volunteering is most likely one of the best things I’ve done. It has definitely changed my view. I had an assumption that volunteering was something that you wouldn’t want to do but it looks good on your CV or something. Which, yes, it does. But I love volunteering! It doesn’t even feel like I’m doing anything hard at all. I enjoy every moment of it. Every day is different, and I want to continue making those days.”

Claire Tye

Organisation
Worldwide Volunteering

Displaying 6 stories

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Claire's story

Claire didn't realise how rewarding volunteering could be until she started volunteering at her local primary school through Worldwide Volunteering.

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Jade's Story

Jade was one of the first girls to be referred to South Park Enterprise College because of her challenging behaviour.

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Laura's Story

South Park Enterprise College's work-related learning programme gave Laura the opportunity to work in a nursery for a year whilst taking a Diploma in child care. At the end of the year Laura was offered a job at the nursery because of her success.

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Tom's Story - Ralph Allen school

Tom was an able student who found himself in trouble in school due to his inability to control his anger, which in turn started to affect his concentration and learning progress. Tom attended a Communities for Learning workshop and is now managing to control his anger and engage with his learning.

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