Volunteering for staff
09 October 2009
LJMU Volunteering are working closely with schools and organisations supporting young people, to bring opportunities to both staff and students who wish to volunteer, gain experience working with young people and support the local community.
Our latest opportunities include becoming a school governor, business mentor plus various work experience placements. We would like to offer all staff the opportunity to find out more about these opportunities and will therefore be providing lunch time information sessions, including a free lunch, for projects where possible. Please see below for a brief overview of each opportunity and the times and dates for the information session.
Becoming a School Governor
School governors are responsible for making sure the school provides a good quality of education. They set the school aims and policies together with the head. The head is responsible for day- to-day management. But he or she is chosen by the governors and works closely with them. School governors make decisions on a variety of matters from budgeting and staffing to how the school can encourage cultural and spiritual development amongst its pupils.
The amount of time commitment varies widely, depending on how involved you become and what needs doing. The governing body usually meets at least once a term and you would likely sit on one or two committees dealing with more specific areas.
Great satisfaction can be drawn from making a difference to how well a school runs as well as serving the local community. However, many people get involved to gain experience and new skills for their career development. New school governors are also offered training to help ensure you are equipped with the skills necessary.
Information session: Thursday 15 October, 12pm – 1pm, Roscoe Room, Egerton Court. Free lunch will be provided. Please contact Lucy McGrath on 0151 231 3850 or email volunteering@ljmu.ac.uk to confirm your attendance.
Business Mentors
Business mentors work on a one to one basis with young people who would benefit from having someone get to know them. Mentors offer advice and encouragement and share with the young people their own experience of the workplace.
Mentors spend up to an hour a fortnight with their young person on school premises. All mentors will receive training and ongoing support from the school and Sefton EBP throughout the relationship and are subject to CRB Enhanced Disclosure.
Information session: Thursday 12 November, 12pm – 1pm. Venue yet to be confirmed. Free lunch will be provided. Please contact Lucy McGrath on 0151 231 3850 or email volunteering@ljmu.ac.uk to confirm your attendance and venue.
Work Experience Placements
This year LJMU would like to offer pupils from St John Bosco High School the opportunity to work at various departments around the University between the dates of 18 January – 22 January 2010.
We are looking for a member of staff /team committed to the development and valuable work experience for young people. Those in charge of young people should be competent in their work-role and at ease with offering support. Young people may lack confidence in a working environment and reassurance and guidance is needed.
Information session: Those who would like to get involved with this project and offer a young person valuable work experience should get in contact with Lucy McGrath on 0151 231 3850 or email volunteering@ljmu.ac.uk to arrange an individual meeting to discuss how they can get involved.
