Part-time Volunteers
We aim to partner a child with a volunteer literacy tutor for a year if possible as this gives the children the best support. After induction training volunteers support up to 3 children twice a week and develop a caring relationship to help them build confidence in themselves and learn essential literacy skills.
What kind of children does Springboard work with?
Springboard works with children who have literacy difficulties as a main area of concern. Their difficulties with learning may stem from difficulties such as dyslexia, a disjointed education, lack of learning support at home or emotional traumas making it difficult to concentrate in the classroom. Springboard provides a safe learning environment for these children, where the sessions are planned to support the individual child’s needs.
What do volunteer literacy tutors actually do?
- work one to one with children between the ages of 6-11 years
- Supporting them with phonics and spelling activities and games which makes it good fun for the children to learn
- Have a supported reading session with the children to model good reading behaviours focused on comprehension and vocabulary
- receive support whilst working with the children, through training and supervision
- attend Springboard team meetings for training and information
- make a positive difference to a child's life
What is the time commitment Springboard requires of a volunteer literacy tutor?
Volunteers work with us on a part-time basis, teaching two or three children during the school day, twice a week. We ask our volunteers if they can commit to working with us for a year in order to give the children stability whilst they are with us.
Springboard also has internships available. An intern would be expected to volunteer for around 35 hours per week during the term. This is a different volunteering opportunity that we offer and more details can be obtained by here.
Do Springboard volunteers need any previous experience or qualifications?
You don’t need to have any specific experience or formal qualifications. Springboard provides all volunteers with excellent training to develop the skills needed for the tutoring. It is important that volunteers have a reasonable level of literacy skills so they can take on the tutoring role with confidence and if they have had some experience of working with or looking after children. Most important is a willingness to learn the skills and a commitment to the work of Springboard for Children in seeing young lives changed.
Will I be able to work in my local school?
We aim to place volunteers in the most local school to them, but we can only run the project in schools that have asked us to run our programme. If you have a preference to volunteer in a particular area we will try our best to accommodate you, but it may require you having to wait until an opportunity arises in the area you have requested.
What difference can I make as a Springboard volunteer?
Every volunteer makes a tremendous difference and can see the improvement the children make as a result of their tutoring support. It is a rewarding and fulfilling experience at Springboard as you provide a literacy lifeline for the young children you work with. We appreciate our volunteers giving their time, commitment and enthusiasm. Many of our volunteers enjoy their time with the children that they stay with us year after year. The one-to-one tuition enables you to build strong, nuturing relationships with the children you work with.
