More than 230 students at a leading independent school are making their mark on causes they care about after signing up to a volunteering charity.
Sixth Form students at Bradford Grammar School have registered with vinspired, a UK volunteering charity for 14 to 25 year olds, which helps young people give something back as well as learning new skills, such as teamwork and problem solving.
Julia Cumberland, 17, from Ilkley, said: “With vinspired you can volunteer to help out in your community in different ways. It’s about doing something good and meeting like-minded people who also want to make a difference. Whatever you are into, wherever you are, however much time you can commit, volunteering with vinspired can change your world.”
BGS Headmaster, Simon Hinchliffe said: “Research shows that social action can increase resilience and confidence, not to mention employability. The younger people start to volunteer to support good causes, the more likely civic engagement will become a habit for life.
“At Bradford Grammar School we have been working with local schools and charities for some time. It is the right thing to do and we enjoy it. Our pupils see that by giving to others we ultimately enrich our own lives and the wider Yorkshire community.”
Andy Crabtree, BGS teacher and vinspired overseer, said: “So many young people are already more engaged, more informed and ready to take action than any generation before them.”
He said pupils were working with several organisations to provide volunteering opportunities for our students.They include Age UK, Barnados, Bevan House Well Being Centre, Heaton Primary School, Frizinghall Primary School, One in a Million, Shipley Glen Tramway, Aireborough Supported Activity Scheme and Chellow Heights Stay and Play.
“Other students have arranged their own volunteering and many students volunteer within school as Sixth Form mentors, homework club helpers, volunteer coaches or classroom assistants. So far, they have committed more than 1,500 hours of volunteering in five months,” he added.
Students are rewarded for their hours of commitment with many having already achieved the V5, V10 and V30 award. Three students have gone beyond with more than 50 hours of volunteering since September and have received their V50 award.
“Research shows that social action can increase resilience and confidence, not to mention employability. The younger people start to volunteer to support good causes, the more likely civic engagement will become a habit for life.
We have been working with local schools and charities for some time. It is the right thing to do and we enjoy it. Our pupils see that by giving to others we ultimately enrich our own lives and the wider Yorkshire community.”
Be Social!