Jeremy's Story

Jeremy Tang – ReachOut! Club Mentor 2011-12


2nd Year English Language and Linguistics student at Queen Mary, University of London

Queen Mary Freshers Fair. One of the first events of my university life and I was overwhelmed with the different societies/volunteer opportunities that were on offer, however, a small stall drew my attention - ReachOut! was promoting their cause; to mentor disadvantaged children in the local community. I signed up for more info...

Training. I was very nervous and clueless as to what was going to happen but the session went really well and I learnt many things, such as the different ways you could teach Maths (never knew how the methods have advanced so much!), techniques for dealing with challenging behaviour, and all the things I could gain from the experience.

I chose the ReachOut! Club in De Beauvoir Primary School in Hackney, and after a year there, it's safe to say I wouldn't choose another school! I would be lying if I didn't say I was apprehensive about going into Hackney for the first time. You make judgements from the news; however, it was totally misconstrued. I had no problems in Hackney and when I tell my friends back home about my experiences, they find it very hard to believe!

The first session. It was weird, setting foot into a primary school and all these memories flooding back! I met other Queen Mary and UCL students, who had signed up to the programme and it was great to hear why they were taking part; reasons ranging from wanting to help the community to considering working with children as their chosen profession.

'What had I let myself in for?' That was the question running through my head when we walked into the room with the kids. They were very hyperactive and it gave me a shock, some of them play fighting and some running around like they were on sugar. We met Maxwell, the Project Leader, and then all introduced ourselves to the kids in the order; name, favourite colour, favourite football team. Most of the kids were Man United fans; I was a Liverpool fan so I knew we would have a rivalry straight away!

Sports was a big part for the boys. At the start of most sessions we played football, promoting respect and team work in the progress. This gave the kids a chance to run around whilst enjoying themselves, whilst developing their character by working as a team and exercising fairness. However, you question your own sport skills when you get nutmegged by a ten year old! Sportsmanship can show a person's true character and this was reflected in the games we played and how some of their personalities progressed from the start of ReachOut! till the final session. Usually at the end of sessions, we joined up with the girls and played dodge-ball, which highlighted the ferocious rivalry between the girls and boys and was some fun for the mentors who tried to take it light-heartedly (even though I couldn't!).

Numeracy and Literacy. All the children were at different levels academically and needed tasks appropriate to their level. I was assigned to mentor one child and worked with him throughout the project supporting him with Maths and English. The different exercises gave it variety which didn't make it boring, and we worked in his book especially for ReachOut! (designed in the first week). The improvement was astonishing, and his handwriting also improved which is imperative. The key to any child is to guide them to the right answer, whether it be in comprehensions or maths equations, making them use their initiative and they will gradually improve in their work.

De Beauvoir has given me some great memories, specifically seeing my mentee grow in personality and academically. All I wanted when I first started at ReachOut! was for the children to take something positive from this programme, and I can safely say that everyone learnt something from their experience, whether it be their character or academically. One particular memory I will take away from my first year was when all the boys in unison went 'Oh!' in an undertone of sadness when Maxwell announced the programme was coming to an end.

I believe that I have learnt a great deal from the project myself such as learning how to deal with different situations, becoming more confident and I have been touched by the bonds that we as a group formed with the children. Managing my time with my university work and volunteering was not as hard as I thought, as long as you plan for the deadlines, the experience is invaluable and I would recommend it to anyone!

Just head to the ReachOut! website (www.reachoutuk.org) and sign up or get information from your freshers fair! As for me, I look forward to leading a group of mentors this coming year, an immense challenge that I relish.

A great year with ReachOut!

It’s often hard to see the difference you are making through all the times tables, straw towers and dodgeballs flying around.  So here are a few stats and quotes from a fantastic year of mentoring.

ReachOut! London 2011/12 in numbers

17 – the number of ReachOut! mentoring sessions each week

151 – the average number of mentors each week

204 – the average number of children attending ReachOut! mentoring projects each week

6863 – the total number of volunteer hours contributed by ReachOut! mentors

And this is what the teachers thought of the ReachOut! Club programme…

‘The children enjoyed the ReachOut! Club immensely this year. The positive impact of the one-to-one mentoring on their behaviour and self-confidence was really noticeable and I think the children are much happier about the transition to secondary school now having been supported individually this year.’ Brook Community Primary School, Hackney

‘We wish you had more places for our young people, such is the popularity of the scheme. Keep up the good work!’ De Beauvoir Primary School, Hackney

‘The boys gained from the interaction with positive role models.’ Rhyl Primary School, Camden

‘The attendance of the mentors has been good, which is very important motivation for the children. I am confident the mentoring programme has a positive impact on the academic progress and behavioural development of the children involved.’ Redlands Primary School, Tower Hamlets

‘Brilliant!  The boys love coming and look forward to their Monday sessions.’ Jubilee Primary School, Hackney

‘It is clear that the girls were greatly supported; SAT results show that individual progress and attainment was enhanced. Here are some quotes from the girls when asked if they would recommend ReachOut! to the upcoming year 6 - to which the answer was a big yes.’ Cayley Primary School, Tower Hamlets

And what did the children think of their mentors?

‘They help you with problems in subjects, explaining properly and showing different methods.’

‘We’re always having fun at the same time’

‘They help with confidence for our SATs’

‘They treat us to fun things like the pancake day’

‘Girls were like mates but like teachers as well’

‘Sports were proper fun’

‘They gave us confidence’

To become a ReachOut! mentor visit our website and register your interest now!