Giving a small amount of your time creates huge opportunities for disadvantaged young people’ says Sam
Twenty year old, Nottingham University student Sam McCaughan believes that now more than ever before, disadvantaged pupils in schools around the region need support, and he’s urging people to come forward and sign up as a volunteer tutor with charity Action Tutoring. “An hour a week can have an incredible impact on a young person’s future,” explained Sam, “you can literally change a life. So many kids have missed so much school at a crucial point in their learning. Together we can help them overcome that disadvantage.”
In 2020-21, 2,749 Action Tutoring volunteers ranging from 18 years old to 80, delivered nearly 31,800 hours of tutoring in partnership with schools across the country, to help ensure that whatever their background, young people had the opportunity to achieve their goals and reach their true potential.
Sam, a third year undergraduate student reading MEng Aerospace Engineering at Nottingham, started volunteering with Action Tutoring in autumn 2020 and has delivered over 30 hours of tutoring.
‘I first heard about Action Tutoring after emailing my Students’ Union, to ask if there were any volunteering opportunities available. They directed me to the charity, I applied and have never looked back. It is very rewarding as I can clearly see the tangible effects of my efforts reflected in the increase in confidence and the progress my pupils make. Being able to pass on my knowledge to other people, seeing what a difference it makes to them – it’s so worthwhile.
‘Tutoring has also had a profound effect on me. Seeing pupils improve and gain confidence is a fantastic feeling – the fact that I personally have a positive impact on others’ lives, even if it is just the few pupils I tutor. It has provided me with valuable life experience and a grounding at university.
‘What I enjoy best is watching my pupils’ confidence grow with each session, they begin to ask questions and I can clarify the problem and make it clearer – that’s the difference with tutoring one or two pupils at a time – at any point I can take a step back with them and go over what they are still unsure about. The tutoring sessions are a safe space for them to learn, they never feel judged and they become so much more engaged with their learning.
‘As I’m only 4 or 5 years older than the young people I tutor, I think it’s easy for them to relate to me. I only left school 3 years ago. I still remember the pressure of exams. They know I’m at university and I think this has made a few of them question and wonder about what they could do in the future. A couple of my pupils have mentioned they now want to take maths A-level, and another pupil, Jake*, has decided he wants to follow in my footsteps and read maths at university. Maybe I haven’t just supported their maths, but also widened their horizons, which would be great.
‘You’re not on your own, Action Tutoring are there every step of the way; the charity provides training with Vedamo, the interactive Virtual Classroom, and all the resources and guidance you need. There is also support available from the volunteers’ Facebook group and you can opt in to a WhatsApp group with other tutors on your programme.
‘To anyone looking to get involved, I would say – just take the first step, sign up, do the training and start tutoring!’
Students like Sam make up just over 30% of Action Tutoring volunteers, another 40% are employed professionals and 10% are retirees. Whatever your background or experience, you can support a young person and change lives. To sign up to volunteer with Action Tutoring or to learn more, please visit www.actiontutoring.org.uk, email hello@actiontutoring.org.uk or call 0203 872 5894.
* not his real name
