Volunteer for SHINE
Are you, or somebody you know, interested in giving their time to help the disadvantaged children our projects support?
Although we cannot place volunteers directly, SHINE can broker relationships with the programmes we fund to help identify projects that can make best use of the skills and interests of individual volunteers.
If you are thinking of volunteering yourself, please remember that many of the children and young people with whom SHINE-funded programmes work are disengaged from the education system and extremely vulnerable. This can make them a challenge to help and requires any potential volunteer to be prepared to commit to help at regular intervals over a consistent period of time (this might be, for example, once per week for a term, or even for a whole school year). In some of our projects, potential volunteers may also need to undergo training in the specialised educational techniques used by those particular programmes.
Current opportunities
That Reading Thing
That Reading Thing uses 1:1 academic mentoring to help low achieving teenagers in Bethnal Green to raise their literacy levels and self-esteem. Last year it achieved some great results, with students on average making almost two years' progress in just one year of support.
The project needs volunteer mentors, each of whom would be assigned a specific student. The role involves much more than just reading. Many students on this project are very vulnerable; some can be quite challenging. However, by building a trusting relationship over time, mentors can boost their student's self-esteem and confidence, as well as improve their reading skills and thereby help transform a young life. Applicants must be able to commit to at least one year.
To apply, or to find out more, please email Sarah Warburton at That Reading Thing.
Finish Line Tutors
Finish Line targets students at the start of their GCSE exam year who are predicted to achieve only a grade D or E in either English or maths. Each pupil is paired up with an academic mentor, who meets them on six Saturdays for intensive one-to-one tuition sessions in the run up to their exams.
Finish line is looking for volunteer mentors who will help a student catch up in English or maths. Each applicant must be prepared to commit to six consecutive Saturday mornings in either the spring or summer term. The students are likely to be well motivated but in real need of extra academic support.
If you are interested, please visit Finish Line's website or email Susannah Clark at Act Network.
Other ways you can help
If you would like to volunteer in some other way, such as supporting one of our projects with your skills and experience in, for example, accountancy, business development or fundraising, we will try to link you to a project that needs this kind of help.
If you would like to donate your time, please ring the SHINE office on 020 8393 1880.
