ReachOut! target areas worst affected by Severe Child Poverty

Last month Save the Children published an eye-opening investigation into severe child poverty in the UK. Save the Children, a recognised leader in studies of this kind, published their findings following both national and local, authority-level research. The document makes for an interesting yet shocking read and highlights specific geographical areas where severe child poverty is most likely to be found. Tower Hamlets and Manchester were named as the most likely, with one in four children living in severe poverty and Hackney featured as the tenth.

The report offers recommendations to the government in its aim to tackle the problems. This includes a focus on improving education and reducing barriers to employment. They also mention children’s activities beyond their formal education, suggesting that a lack of outside school activity is ‘hitting their educational and social development and leaving them excluded from society’.

For an organisation that works to encourage confidence, self-esteem and raise aspirations among children, the report is particularly interesting. Operating within several of the most significantly affected areas and providing for the demographic featured by Save the Children, ReachOut!’s relevance could not have been better confirmed.

Source: Save the Children, Severe Child Poverty : Nationally and Locally (Feburary 2011) [http://www.savethechildren.org.uk/en/54_14969.htm]

Steph Pickerill

ReachOut! meet UBS

On Monday 21st February four year 11 students who attend an Enabling Enterprise course run by ReachOut! in Hackney, had the chance to find out about careers at an exciting event. Enabling Enterprise, the non-profit community organisation that aims to motivate students and provide an insight into employment opportunities, ran the afternoon at UBS.

The visit to the global investment bank began with a tasty lunch before the group got to work on skills-based games. After the ‘Moon Game’, a teamwork exercise which introduced the boys to different professions and emphasised the importance of every job in society, the group met Ben. Playing interviewers, the four boys (Eman Yesufu, Matthias Bakare, Charles Alabi, SeyaOkunlol) quizzed the UBS graduate on the qualities an employer may look out for: his top three things to consider were communication, resilience and individuality. Ben went on to discuss proactivity and recommended exploring potential career options, doing research and gaining experience even if it might not be the right one.

The afternoon finished with a challenging, hands-on second game which involved two chairs, an empty glass bottle, tape and a newspaper. The result (eventually) was a bridge along with some thoughtful planning, strong teamwork and a lot of fun!

Steph Pickerill

Students are wonderful people!

A few interesting stats from Bursting the Bubble: Students, Volunteering and the Community:

• 63% of students have taken part informal volunteering since starting university
• Student volunteers report many positive impacts on their own personal development, skills and employability
• 51% of recent graduates under 30 years old who are in paid work say
that volunteering helped them to secure employment
• Students identified the opportunity to burst out of the student ‘bubble’ as one of the most valued aspects of volunteering
• 95% of students who volunteer are motivated by a desire to improve things or help people

So what can we draw from this?

That volunteering is a fantastic way to develop a many different skills as well as get away from the sometimes overwhelming student life whilst helping others in the community. Oh, and that students are wonderful people of course, but we knew that already!

For the full report visit:
http://www.ivr.org.uk/evidence-bank/evidence-pages/Bursting+the+Bubble-+Students+Volunteering+and+the+Community

Summer 2010

As we look towards a new academic year, the recommencing of the usual term time projects and the start of some exciting new ones, lets have a quick look back at ReachOut!’s busy summer.
Back in July ReachOut! got involved in the ASICS British 10k run. The eager group was made up of staff, volunteers and supporters, ranging from novice joggers to regular marathon fans. All the sweating paid off (the day was extremely hot!) and together they raised an unpredicted £3000! After the success of the 10k run, further fitness inspired fundraisers have taken place, the latest being the ReachOut! walk-a-long. As with the run, this was a great event both physically and socially as volunteers and staff had the opportunity to get to know each other. The six mile walk around central London proved so popular that it is set to be an annual event on the ReachOut! calendar. Thanks to the organisers of both of these events and to everyone who joined in!
August saw the opening of ReachOut!’s Summer Programme, a project eagerly anticipated by volunteers and pupils each year. With new additions to the teaching team, some 150 pupils, sports, activities and outings, everyone was sad to come to the end of the three week programme. It ended on a high as students showed off their talent in front of the whole programme with dancing and singing as well as collecting awards for effort in sport, English, maths and science.
Approaching the restart of the Midweek Mentoring Programme, the team has visited Queen Mary University Freshers’ Fair to recruit volunteers for the coming months. We look forward to seeing you there!

Steph Pickerill
Mentoring Project Co-ordinator

Poonam wins Volunteer Manager of the Year!

ReachOut!'s very own Poonam Halai won an award for Volunteer Manager of the Year at Hackney's Annual Volunteer Achievement Awards on Monday evening!

Poonam with her award

Several ReachOut! volunteers were also nominated for awards and received runner up certificates, they were:
Matthew Wiltshire – Young Volunteer of the Year
Stephanie Pickerill – Experienced Volunteer of the Year
Jennifer Paul-Christian – Volunteer of the Year
Springfield MMP Mentors – Volunteer Team of the Year

Well done to all!

Above: Gavin Reynolds - Springfield MMP Volunteer

Below: Jennifer Paul-Christian