History Society Community Volunteering Project

History Society Community Volunteering In Schools Project

2012/13

Project Description

Background A key focus for the History Society over the last few years has been looking at the issue of employability. A high proportion of History Graduates go into teaching as a career, so experience in the relevant area is highly sought after. An important strand of the Society’s work therefore has been about providing opportunities for students to gain experience of volunteering in schools whilst at the same time sharing their knowledge and passion for history. This project has been developed to address this issue and give history students the opportunity to do some subject-related volunteering in the local community.

What is the project? During 2009/10, the History Society worked closely with the Community Partnerships team within the University to develop and deliver a range of volunteering projects in schools in Nottingham and since then the scheme has continued to thrive and expand. Our project is now supported with generous donations from Nottingham alumni, staff, students and friends through the Cascade funding stream.

Each project is unique and individually developed with the schools involved. This helps to ensure that projects firmly support the school’s own objectives and suit their needs, and also allows students to contribute towards their own learning and development.

A range of different projects have been available for students to participate in, from working in a classroom environment to after-school clubs, to curriculum enrichment activities. Topics covered have been varied, including: - Detective-style Aztecs after school club - The Vikings - Life in World War One based on ‘The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas’ - The Titanic

We aim to run the project again after its continued success and positive feedback with new schools and different projects. Therefore we are seeking to recruit enthusiastic and ‘The project allowed me to committed volunteers. Projects will be gain confidence and realise running throughout the academic year, that the career I wished to providing opportunities for long term pursue was teaching. I was involvement. Typically, there are able to gain useful approximately six sessions per term on the experience which aided me project, requiring a time commitment of 2-3 in being accepted onto a hours per week and time to plan your PGCE course.’ sessions as a group. Hannah Radcliffe What are the benefits of getting involved? As a volunteer you will gain direct experience of supporting children’s learning in a school environment. You will also be encouraged to think about your subject in a different way and be challenged to convey it creatively to young people.

There will also be a chance to develop skills in areas such as: - Planning and organisation - Time management - Communication and teamwork - Presentation Skills - Leadership and management with an opportunity to be a team leader when you have gained some initial experience as a volunteer within the project

Students in the past have found the project very rewarding for a variety of reasons. Some have wanted to discover more about teaching and the field of education as a career upon graduation, whilst others wanted to simply volunteer or get involved in the community. It is a chance to try something different outside of your normal academic studies.

You will receive a certificate upon completion of the project which will be presented at an end-of-term session, in recognition of your efforts.

Will I need a Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) check? As participation in this project will involve frequent and regular contact with the same group of children you will be required to undertake an enhanced CRB check which will be carried out through Community Partnerships. This involves completing a form and providing original identification documents as outlined in the guidance that you will receive. You will need to ensure that you have access to the relevant identification documentation. If you are successful in gaining a place on the project, you will be contacted to arrange a CRB check.

What training and support will I get? There will be a compulsory training session run by Community Partnerships to prepare you for your placement in schools. You must attend this training if you want to volunteer. Information will be provided on topics such as, working in a school environment, expectations of volunteers, child protection, planning and delivering a session and information specifically relevant to each project. It will also be an opportunity to meet the group you will be working with.

Support will be available on an ongoing basis from members of the History Society Committee, Lisa Owen (Primary Schools Engagement ‘It’s a really good way to Manager, Community Partnerships) and Joe gain experience without Merton (History Department). Feedback and interrupting your studies, queries will be welcomed throughout all stages of only requiring a few hours the project. of preparation a week. It is also nice to know we are giving something back to Next step the community and the If you are interested in getting involved in this schools appreciate our project or have any specific questions please involvement.’ contact Victoria Hill – Welfare Secretary, Olivia Salmon History Society at [email protected]