Volunteering

[Hooli]

rambo19 said:

Animal charities.

Small local ones.

[pherlopolus]

I volunteer at the local heritage railway, it feels a bit like care in the community at times

I also volunteered as a school governor for 4 years which was challenging but very rewarding.

[TwigtheWonderkid]

Yes, I had a 4 yr stint as a school governor. I've never worked so hard in all my life!

[Hoofy]

pherlopolus said:

I also volunteered as a school governor for 4 years which was challenging but very rewarding.

Does it help to improve grades? I've toyed with the idea with a goal of trying to improve schools near me*.















* - meaning that some time in the future, my kids won't have to go traipsing across the county to a decent school.

[Vaud]

Non-parent governors are a god-send for a school. By non-parent, I mean they don't have a vested interest - they can still be parents.

Plenty of parent governors whose interest extends to the school whilst their child is there..

[pherlopolus]

Especially if you have some business skills, a lot of head (especially in primary) don't have any business experience.

[Hoofy]

Interesting. I want to primarily ('scuse the pun) try to influence things so that there is a better quality of teaching.

[eldar]

dirty boy said:

I'll probably regret divulging such information, but I'm a Scout leader (Beaver section - still makes me snigger)


Something to consider..plenty of support with it too.

Your user name made me snigger even more

[soad]

TwigtheWonderkid said:

Voluntary work.....I wouldn't do it if you paid me!

Staying too long in volunteering will make employers assume you don't have to worry about your income...reducing your chances of getting hired.

[pills]

Ambulance service community first responder?

http://www.yas.nhs.uk/OurServices/Volunteering/Com...

This is the Yorkshire one you'll have to check your local ambulance trust.

[ChemicalChaos]

Op, whereabouts in the country are you?
If you're at all mechanically or DIY minded, there is usually a community or charity restoration/museum project near you, bringing some heritage back to life for future generations to enjoy.

There's the Newcomen Beam Engine and the National Coal Mining Museum, both in Yorkshire.
There's the Blists Hill living history museum in Shropshire (and the Black Country in Birmingham)
There's the Avro Shackleton restoration trust at Coventry Airport.
And the one into be foubd at most weekends - the Speke Aerodrome Heritage Group in Liverpool

[AlasdairMc]

Ex swimming coach, and I'm now on the board of trustees for a charity offering social opportunities for adults with physical and learning disabilities.

It's the best use of my skills for that charity (business analyst by trade) and I've got a vested interest in keeping the charity sustainable as a relative is a user of the charity's service.

[227bhp]

I need some gardening doing and the car needs washing, i'll PM you.

[Ki3r]

I'm a Special Constable in my spare time. Hard work at times, but very rewarding.

You only have to do a minimum of 16 hours a month, but I do 100+ at the moment (although now I've got a partner that has dropped).

I've met people that will be friends for life.

Trust them with my life.

[ExV8]

I have been a school governor including chair in the last ten years.

Next role will be trustee for a school that specialises in special educational needs. Really looking forward to adding value and making a difference.

[pherlopolus]

Hoofy said:

Interesting. I want to primarily ('scuse the pun) try to influence things so that there is a better quality of teaching.

don't expect it to be hands on, you shouldn't be inspecting lessons etc. but you will be the "critical friend" asking the right questions and supporting the staff.

[Hoofy]

pherlopolus said:

Hoofy said:

Interesting. I want to primarily ('scuse the pun) try to influence things so that there is a better quality of teaching.

don't expect it to be hands on, you shouldn't be inspecting lessons etc. but you will be the "critical friend" asking the right questions and supporting the staff.

Sure, I didn't expect to nor want to be sitting in on lessons! What can a governor do to influence better teaching then?

[pherlopolus]

Hoofy said:

Sure, I didn't expect to nor want to be sitting in on lessons! What can a governor do to influence better teaching then?

there is a huge amount of data to look at, statistics etc. We had a whole committee dedicated to data. This can highlight where teachers are perhaps not as effective as others, and can assist the head in rectifying it.

The fact that you ask the question indicates you should probably ask about being one try the governance service at your local LEA, they will probably have a list of schools looking for governors.

[Hoofy]

pherlopolus said:

Hoofy said:

Sure, I didn't expect to nor want to be sitting in on lessons! What can a governor do to influence better teaching then?

there is a huge amount of data to look at, statistics etc. We had a whole committee dedicated to data. This can highlight where teachers are perhaps not as effective as others, and can assist the head in rectifying it.

The fact that you ask the question indicates you should probably ask about being one try the governance service at your local LEA, they will probably have a list of schools looking for governors.

Ah, analysis I can do. They'd probably kick me off the committee for enjoying it too much.

Thanks. Will look into it.

[Pentoman]

ChemicalChaos said:

Op, whereabouts in the country are you?

South West - thanks for the suggestions.

We're a good bunch of people on here eh.