Volunteer tutors play a huge part in what goes on at the Rendezvous. Our team of more than 30 tutors have helped 100s of young people gain their qualifications and get to college or move into work or apprenticeships – we’d love to hear from you if you are interested in joining us.
If I hadn’t got my maths qualification then I’d be kicking around Sherborne in a dead-end job watching everyone else go off and do exciting things. Now that won’t happen.
You don’t need to be a teacher to volunteer as a tutor (patience and empathy are equally important) but experience of working or supporting young people is essential.
Becoming a volunteer tutor really can change lives – the young person’s and also the volunteer’s. One of our long-standing tutors Helen explains just how much she has gained from the experience too in the video above and you can read about the difference our volunteers make in a feature article from the Sherborne Times.
I get more from volunteering than I give. It feels good to know I’m having a positive effect on a young person’s life.
What is volunteer tutoring?
Giving your time as a volunteer tutor means giving practical support to a young person who has missed out at school, helping them gain their Level 1 or 2 functional skills English or maths qualifications.
It’s been a complete joy for me seeing the young person achieve – the same joy as I had for teaching. It has honestly been the highlight of my week especially during Covid.
– Judy, volunteer tutor
Young people need these qualifications to move on into apprenticeships, employment or further education. They gain hugely in confidence throughout the process and can start thinking about their next steps in life.
Find out more and apply to be a tutor
What is volunteer tutoring?
Giving your time as a volunteer tutor means giving practical support to a young person who has missed out at school, helping them gain their Level 1 or 2 functional skills English or maths qualifications.
Young people need these qualifications to move on into apprenticeships, employment or further education. They gain hugely in confidence throughout the process and can start thinking about their next steps in life.
We now have a team of more than 30 tutors and have helped more than 100 young people gain their qualifications.
How does it work?
The young person, or learner, is paired with a volunteer tutor and they work together one to one at the learner’s pace. This can be crucial for those who find classrooms make them anxious and unable to learn.
The pair meet weekly, either online or in person, in an unpressured non-judgemental atmosphere. The learner sits their exam when the tutor thinks they are ready, rather than preparing for a set date.
It’s flexible so learners and tutors can start at any time throughout the year.
What are we looking for?
- You don’t need a teaching qualification or teaching experience
- You need competence in English and maths (A level standard)
- We look for kindness and patience, the ability to explain concepts clearly and calmly and not to judge
- You need to commit to two to three hours a week, either online or in Sherborne, Yeovil, Gillingham or Shaftesbury.
What support will I get?
- You will receive free NSPCC safeguarding training
- You will have an induction to show you the materials and examination papers, and the IT we use
- You will be given your own Rendezvous email address, access to Microsoft Teams for one-to-one tutoring and to Google Classroom to share resources with other tutors
- You will be given a mentor – an existing tutor who you can shadow and who can share their experience – and monthly tutor meetings
What safeguarding do we undertake?
All applicants are subject to DBS checks and our application and interview processes follow safer recruitment guidelines. All volunteers receive free NSPCC safeguarding training and an annual refresher in the spring.
What Covid safety measures are in place?
We follow the National Youth Association’s Covid guidelines and have strict protocols in our centre. As an educational centre, we are allowed to run our learning at our centre, but we also have the option to provide tutoring online.
Do we pay expenses?
We can cover reasonable travel expenses where appropriate.
How do I get involved?
First, please read the detailed volunteer tutor role description. Does this sound right for you? If so, phone Julie Bartle (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) on 07485 913370 or Faye Dimdore on Monday or Tuesday on 07485 913371 or drop them a line using the form below – we’ll mail you back so do please check your junk mail if you don’t get a response.
Other ways to get involved
In addition to tutoring, there are many other ways you can get involved with the Rendezvous. We have a number of volunteers who bring all sorts of skills and experience to our work, including people who help us with our admin behind the scenes, take on special projects and help with fundraising. Find out more on our Volunteers page.
Please note that we take the welfare of young people very seriously and all our volunteers must pass vetting checks and safeguarding procedures before starting with us.