Volunteer Spotlight: Rachel Arnold

Why I began volunteering with ReachOut

For a while, I had felt like I wanted to go into teaching after university so my first motivation for volunteering was to get some experience working with children. I also knew that I occasionally needed to break out of university life!

What effect do I think I had on the young people while volunteering with ReachOut?

It was important to me that I was there as someone who would listen to the mentees and be genuinely interested in their lives. I was always there for them and I think that helped build their confidence and self-belief week by week. I’m certain I made them laugh and smile, whether it was through showing them it’s okay to dance silly or telling cringe-worthy jokes.

I know I had a positive effect purely based on two examples. The first occurred while my year nine mentee and I just went through his 6 times table, over and over. It might sound repetitive but we made it into a fast competition and without a doubt, it was the best feeling when he came back the next week and still knew them! The second was a session on the use of brackets in English with my year four mentee; on the spot I developed some very over exaggerated movements where my mentee had to fill in the gaps and throw the imagined information around the room. She had the biggest smile for two hours and I guarantee I did too!

How did ReachOut help me? How do I feel I developed while I volunteered with ReachOut and what skills did I gain? 

It might sound over-dramatic but ReachOut gave my life a new purpose. In the past, I’ve struggled with all sorts of issues, particularly in my first year of university, and in all honesty I may not still be studying here if I hadn't agreed to mentor. I had to be there for someone else for a few hours a week, every week, and it kept me going.

I have loved mentoring with ReachOut because I enjoy a challenge and like having to think creatively. It has helped me to develop most of the key skills needed to be a teacher, or for any other career for that matter! My professionalism, team working skills, communication and confidence have improved, as well as my own character traits.

Has ReachOut changed my views or perspective on anything?

Yes, I realised I enjoy the buzz of doing something for nothing more than I thought possible. One thing I can guarantee is that the ReachOut team and mentees will be just as supportive as you can be for them and if you want to help make a real difference to the lives of children of all ages, ReachOut is definitely for you!

Rowathons and Keepy Uppies

A huge thank you to the staff at Macquarie Group for organising two events in their office during Foundation Week in October, a week dedicated to raising awareness of the work the Macquarie Group Foundation does to support its partner charities, and to encourage staff to donate or get involved.

Our partnership with Macquarie has developed over the past 6 years, beginning with a few employees volunteering weekly as mentors in Hackney. The company now encourages its staff to volunteer both as mentors and fundraisers, provides bro-bono office support, training and development opportunities for ReachOut staff, as well as regularly organising workshops for the young people on ReachOut’s projects.

During Foundation Week staff organised a lunch break Keepy Uppy competition in the dining area where staff could show off their footballing talents, as well as a Rowathon in the lobby to see how fast competitors could row 1000m. The Macquarie Group Foundation generously matched all donations to ReachOut during the week 2 for 1. As a result, Macquarie staff raised over £6000 for ReachOut!

Thanks and well done to all involved! 

Watch the video here: 

The ReachOut team set the scene.

Contestants dazzle observers with their skills.

High heels didn't stop the ladies getting involved...

...though they were removed for the actual challenge!

One contestant was so keen to win that he tore open his shirt in the effort! (Thankfully he did actually win in the end!)

Macquarie employees learn about ReachOut while rowing

Maquarie CEO David Fass and Macquarie Group Foundation Manager Rachel Engel are impressed by the leader board.

The leader board at the end of an energetic lunch break!

Keepy Uppy champions Katerina and Adam pose for the cameras after receiving their prizes.

An Award Winning Charity

On Monday night, we won the Kids Count “Most Inspirational Community Group” Award in a ceremony at the House of Commons attended by MPs from across the country.

Five young people who volunteer as mentors for ReachOut, several of whom used to be ReachOut mentees, collected the award from John Leech MP for Manchester Withington. It recognises the fantastic weekly support these guys give to local young people (aged 11-16) to improve their maths and English and build character. John Leech MP described ReachOut as ‘an inspirational charity’.

ReachOut Director Peter Blackwell used his acceptance speech to thank the young people volunteering for ReachOut and other community groups. He said, ‘They are an incredibly powerful example to those around them, the other young people in our communities, estates and schools, and they are an inspiration not just to those people, but to everyone that works with them, myself included.’

This award is testimony to the great work all our volunteers in London and Manchester do for young people, so a big thank you to all of you!

Volunteer Spotlight - Jamie Broom

Jamie Broom, Macquarie employee, has been an enthusiastic and committed mentor at the ReachOut Academy for three years now. When he’s not mentoring, Jamie is a keen runner and has raised a fantastic £5770 for ReachOut doing various marathons and half-marathons with colleagues, which has been generously matched by the Macquarie Group Foundation.

How did you hear about ReachOut and get involved?

One of my colleagues attended ReachOut regularly for a few years and the concept of combining football with mentoring and learning seemed like a great idea. I was looking for a something to get involved in outside of work to challenge myself whilst (hopefully!) doing some good. Getting involved was really easy, I applied online then they sent me an email with more information and invited me to a training session.

What were you nervous about before you first started?

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started. I don’t have many family or friends who are in the age group of the young people who attend ReachOut so I wasn’t sure what they’d make of me. Luckily, the ReachOut staff are incredibly good and made the whole process easy. The training also helped.

What have the challenges and high points been so far?

I do find it challenging when meeting new young people for the first time as we don’t immediately know what we have in common. The high point is always when one of the young people shows a breakthrough in learning something that they didn’t know already. I also enjoy listening to interesting stories about the lives of the young people. They all live much more interestingly than me!

How do you manage mentoring with your routine?

This can be really tough. I work at a bank and support activities going on around the clock so getting out in time for ReachOut can sometimes be tricky. I generally block plenty of diary time out for ReachOut and try to be strict to leave on time! I’ve explained to my team how important it is that I make it to ReachOut every Wednesday and they’re really supportive – probably because they know it’s a worthwhile cause.

Have you gained anything yourself from mentoring with ReachOut?

I have learnt to connect with a greater range of people which has helped me when dealing with different personalities at work. ReachOut has also taught me ways to motivate individuals and to communicate effectively with them. At first, there were occasions where I felt out of my comfort zone but these turned out to be times where I was gaining new life experiences. 

A tribute to Kieran

We were extremely sad to hear of the death of one of our mentors last weekend. Kieran Dhaliwal, a student at Queen Mary University of London and ReachOut Club mentor at Redlands Primary School, was killed in a hit-and-run accident while walking home on Saturday night.

Kieran was a dedicated ReachOut mentor, giving up 2 hours each week to support a Y6 child with his English and Maths, and to help him develop confidence and character. Kieran was also involved in the ReachOut Society, helping to build the ReachOut community at Queen Mary and to recruit more volunteers.

We would like to express our gratitude for the commitment that Kieran showed to ReachOut and his mentee and pass our condolences to his friends and family.

Kieran mentoring at the ReachOut Club

Kieran and his mentee having a bit of fun