When promoting employee involvement, it is important to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to take part in activities whatever their background or skills.

The great thing about volunteering is that everyone has something to offer. With this in mind, City Action offers a wide range of opportunities including:

Supporting Education -
Reading / Numeracy / Language Partners

Employee volunteers work with primary school children to provide additional support and encouragement with their reading, numeracy or foreign language skills.

You will be matched with a child and meet for weekly half-hour sessions during lunchtime at their school.

What are the benefits for a volunteer?

• Developing interpersonal skills such as: listening, questioning and communication skills, giving advice
• Gaining a better understanding of the challenges facing schools
• Building a mutually beneficial relationship
• Encouraging a young person to fulfil their potential
• Providing a positive role model

Things to consider:

• You must be able to commit to the scheme for a reasonable time-period, usually one academic year
• Prior to beginning a primary school partnership you will be asked to undergo a police check and a short training session

Supporting Education - School Governors

School governors make an important contribution to the effective running of schools and enable staff to provide the best possible standards of education. They help children realise their aspirations and expectations.

You do not need to be a parent or possess knowledge of education to be a school governor.

What is the role of a school governor?

• Promoting high standards of achievement
• Planning the school's long term future
• Overseeing the school's aims, values and ethos
• Setting performance targets and monitoring against set standards
• Appointing senior staff

What are the benefits for a governor?

• School governance has many parallels with running a business, so it makes good commercial sense
• The opportunity to develop new skills and strengthen existing ones
• The chance to gain knowledge of education and social issues surrounding children
• Experience of key areas such as finance, personnel and strategic planning

Next Step... Contact City Action!

Check out our tips and tools page for ideas on linking up with schools or businesses.

Education is a vaccine for violence. Edward James Olmos