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Organisation Spotlight: Beyond Blocks, and how Lego Robotics can make STEM Accessible

logo for beyond blocks who deliver lego robotics sessions

Today’s organisation spotlight is on Beyond Blocks, which aims to introduce children to programming and engineering through a medium they’re familiar with – Lego. Beyond Blocks packs problem solving, communication and presentation skills into fun and immersive ninety minute sessions delivered after school. In this interview, its founder and lead teacher, Andy Hoang, takes us through Lego Robotics, Beyond Blocks’ mission, and how Lego can play a part in making STEM education more accessible.

Hello! Please could you introduce yourself, and tell us a little about Beyond Blocks?

I’m Andy Hoang, I set up beyond blocks over 3 years ago to build beyond Lego instructions. I wanted kids to get more out of buying Lego – instead of just only building the model, following the instructions and then just buying another Lego model. 

Beyond Blocks focuses on building great people through Lego, and the bulk of our work is in Lego Robotics, teaching children how to program through Lego. This builds up teamwork, communication, resilience and listening skills. Beyond Blocks is about building character through complex challenges – programming is hard, you’re going to fail over and over and over again. It’s about knowing that if there’s a problem it can be broken down, recognising patterns and getting children to pull up their socks and know they aren’t going to give up immediately. 

Lego gives children permission to solve problems on their own. Because kids are so used to putting bricks on top of each other, when you bring that into the classroom, you’re teaching children with a medium that they know and love.

Could you tell us a little more about Lego Robotics? How would a Lego Robotics Club session usually go?

Usually in a Beyond Blocks session, children will be paired up and build a model based on the same instructions. We’ll then teach them how to bring that model alive through programming. Children need to work out the steps to have a model come alive – for instance they’ll need to figure out when a motor needs to turn on, which way it goes and why.

Our groups work with the same instructions, but each pair considers a series of increasingly difficult problems to solve. Because these are Lego models, each pair will end up with a completely unique model. They might add different functions to their model or add decorations. Because these children have made these changes, they take ownership of the project because they’ve spent ages building this thing. 

By the end of the session, each pair will present their model to the group – encouraging presentation skills and improving their self-confidence. 

What can volunteers learn by becoming a Lego Robotics Club Leader?

Beyond Blocks’ mission is that we build great people using Lego, and this doesn’t just apply to the kids. It’s the staff, it’s the parents and the teachers. Beyond Blocks volunteers are trained up in the technical aspects of programming and running a Lego robotics class. 

The position of Lego Robotics Volunteer is about supporting libraries to deliver Lego Robotics clubs for free. I’m looking for potential volunteers who want to make a difference with regard to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education in their communities. 

There is a need for quality STEM education for parts of society – especially those who might not have access to Lego kits. In other countries people have the chance to be at the forefront of a revolution of education in the form of Lego Robotics. 

I’d like volunteers to see how much of an impact Lego robotics can have on children. I hope potential Beyond Blocks volunteers will gain skills to get into education as a career. I’d also like to move them to paid work – we’ve got a lot of demand for teachers in Beyond Blocks. 

I also do a lot of volunteering for the Institute of Engineering and Technology – they’re keen to see more Lego Robotics Clubs in London. We want engineering education out to the masses – and I want it here in Kingston, on my doorstep. Lots of libraries here want to see more Lego Robotics Clubs too, but they just don’t have the volunteers. 

Finally, any funny stories from previous Lego Robotics Clubs?

Last year I was called up by Lego to be on their 90th anniversary billboard. They were asking for 90 Lego fans, so I asked around the Robotics Clubs I was running. I and some of the Lego Robotics club members had our photo taken by Rankin. 

The funniest bit was that the photo came out the day before it was supposed to. The day before the photo came out, one of the students photographed, Clara, was at the Science Museum at South Kensington on a school trip. The class noticed all the photographs of Lego fans and recognised Clara – and she became their superstar for the day!

Lego 90th Anniversary Poster, featuring Andy and Lego Robotics Club Members!
Lego 90th Anniversary Poster, featuring Andy and Lego Robotics Club Members! Photograph by Beyond Blocks.

Beyond Blocks is currently looking for volunteers to deliver free Lego Robotics Club Session in Kingston Libraries. Want to help make STEM Education more exciting and accessible to kids? Become a volunteer and apply here.

Are you interested in learning about Lego Robotics and Beyond Blocks? Check out their website here, or follow them on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram!

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Organisation Spotlight: Barnfield Riding for the Disabled

org spotlight barnfield riding for the disabled

This week’s organisation spotlight is on Barnfield Riding for the Disabled, an organisation that helps disabled children and adults experience the therapeutic benefits of horse riding.

Hello, please could you introduce yourself and tell us a bit about RDA?

We’re Barnfield Riding for the Disabled, and we’re a registered charity that has been going for 40 years. We set up because we recognised there was a shortage of this kind of therapy in the area. Over the years, many riding opportunities for disabled people have closed down. We’ve got about 85 disabled riders a week that use this facility, so from a volunteer’s perspective we need an army to deliver the facility. 

We’ve got a total of 15 horses, 10 of which are working horses and 5 of which are in training. We’ve got one of every size because our riders are from 5-75 years old so we have a variety of horses in all sizes to cater to child and adult riders. When we look for horses to do this job, there are specific requirements. Horses have to be of a very special nature to look after disabled riders – they have to be calm and kind. That’s something that can’t be taught. 

On top of that temperament that they have to have goes a lot of training and time. We have to have confidence that they will do the job well. What you have to remember is that horses are, well, horses – they’re prey animals. 

We’re surviving in an environment where every inch of land is being squeezed out for housing. Right now, we try to work quite closely with local schools and nurseries and brownies.  We will tell the children a story about each horse, and at the end of the session we’ll get the horses out and teach them how to groom them. 

These may be working ponies but they’ve got the life of luxury. At the moment we’ve got a new little pony that’s causing a stir. She is called Peggy and she is the most beautiful thing you ever saw and was abandoned by the roadside, and I got lots of requests to rescue her. I trekked all the way over to Cambridge to find this little pony. She could’ve been abused, she certainly was starved. This little pony – talk about life lessons – is the most grateful little pony, she is so well behaved, well mannered. She’s got a new best friend called Annie. Peggy has taken Kingston by storm! 

peggy, a pony at BARNFIELD Riding for the disabled. She is a black and white pony with blue eyes.
Peggy! Photograph by Barnfield Riding School

Could you tell us a little more about the project? How might a volunteering session go at Barnfield Riding for the disabled?

In terms of volunteering we have a whole host of different roles. The principal roles are to facilitate these sessions. These could be a riding session, a therapy session or a horse care session. Anything to do with horses requires training so we have to offer a horse training package for each volunteer, to get accustomed to horse behaviour. Volunteers are trained to side-walk. Each person riding a horse will need two side-walkers in case they lose their balance, and one person to lead the horse. In total, we need three people to help with the horses. A lot of volunteers love coming to us because they’re learning such a wonderful skill – taking care of horses.

Some volunteers just want to come and care for the horses – get involved with feeding, grooming and preparing the horse for sessions. Other people might want to come and be at the stables – doing maintenance work, DIY, gardening or cleaning tack (bridles). People also like to get involved in fundraising or help with the website. The list just goes on – people forget that it’s not just about looking after horses. The deliverance of what we do is so wholesome – people want to be outdoors, the community gets so involved with what we do. For example, we have an annual open day to come together and learn about what we do, and how you can join us to make this organisation even better. 

What can volunteers learn by volunteering with Barnfield Riding for the Disabled?

On top of learning about horses – and there’s a hell of a lot to learn about horses – we also learn about life skills. Animals have an uncanny way of grounding you – the life skills that you learn from being around horses are things like patience, caring, equality, not being judgemental, never ever getting angry. You learn so much about honesty – animals are so honest, and they know when you’re not being honest. They just teach you to be a good person.

I work as an animal communicator – animals have a fantastic way of communicating with you, they can’t speak but they have a fantastic way of knowing how you feel. They were born very innocent like people – but people only change through their life experiences, and animals stay very kind. 

Finally, any funny stories?

 I had a group of children come to visit from the local nursery, and this boy put his hand up at the end of the session. He said: “my dad says he’s really worried about losing his job because the computers are taking over, but you must not be worried because the only person who could take your job is a robot horse”.

Thank you so much to PatsyAnn from Barnfield Riding for the disabled for your time! Interested in teaching the next generation to take a stand against climate change? Become a volunteer for Barnfield Riding for the disabled here ! Want to find out more? Check out their website and Facebook page.

Not sure where to begin with your volunteering journey? Check out our resources page here. 

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Organisation Spotlight: Climate Ed

This week’s organisation spotlight is on Climate Ed, a charity offering education to kids about climate science, carbon literacy and climate action!

Hello, please could you introduce yourself and tell us a bit about Climate Ed?

Hello, my name is Ben and I co-founded Climate Ed in 2018! Before that, I worked as a history teacher, and had a background in history and education. I was interested in climate change and I felt more needed to be done about educating people about it. So, I left my job and set up Climate Ed with a friend! We started visiting local schools, giving presentations and workshops about climate change. 

Through a long process of trial and error we designed a climate action programme. We then began recruiting volunteers to deliver it. Since then, we’ve been sending out volunteers across London – we’ve worked with over 200 schools, 10,000 students and nearly 250 volunteers! We’re also very excited to be launching in Oxford and Birmingham soon.

Our action program looks at three thematic areas – travel, food and general consumption – clothes, what we buy, for instance. Usually we work with years 5 and 6.  We aim to get students carbon literate, give them an understanding of the climate impact so that hopefully they can go away and share that knowledge with their family 

Could you tell us a little more about the project? How might a volunteering session go at Climate Ed?

Our program includes five workshops, each running for an hour. These are designed to support 

students in their learning, through a range of activities. We might begin with a volunteer, giving a presentation talking through slides.Then students will watch a video, answering a question sheet based on it. Then follows group activities, including drama and role play activities. We designed this to be varied, stimulating and importantly fun. Climate Change can be depressing and alarming, but we try to focus on the solutions for it. 

What can volunteers learn by volunteering with Climate Ed?

A huge amount. We do look out for people with expertise in climate change – so the more subject knowledge you have, the better.  But because it’s quite a challenging volunteering role, our volunteers learn a lot from this – however much knowledge they have on the subject. We’ve had people with PHds on climate change deliver the program who find it stretches their knowledge! Working with children also challenges people’s teaching skills.

Above all, volunteers find passing on their knowledge to the next generation really rewarding. The kids also really appreciate that people are volunteering out of their own free time. Most of our volunteers are doing this because they care about climate change. Quite a few volunteers are interested in building experience in the sector and this is a great place to do that. 

Any funny stories?

Children being children they ask extraordinary questions, so we keep track of the craziest questions they ask. Here are a selection…

“Will the world get taken over by giant insects?”

“If the world gets flooded will we have to evolve to fish to swim?”

“If the world gets hotter will we have to spend all our money on sun cream?”

“Is there one person in the world who controls the climate?”

Thank you so much to Ben from Climate Ed for your time! Interested in teaching the next generation to take a stand against climate change? Become a volunteer for Climate Ed here! Want to find out more? Check out their website, Facebook page, X (formerly twitter) and Instagram. 

Not sure where to begin with your volunteering journey? Check out our resources page here. 

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Organisation Spotlight: The River Thames Boat Project

org spotlight river thames boat project

Today we’re speaking to Hannah Bottomley, Education Manager at The River Thames Boat Project. The Thames Boat Project is dedicated to making the River Thames accessible for people of all ages and abilities, providing cruises and educational activities along the river.

Hello, please could you introduce yourself and tell us a little about the River Thames Boat Project?

My name is Hannah Bottomley and I’m the Education Manager at the River Thames Boat Project. The project has been running since 1988. We have two boats which are used for the two arms of the charity – one for cruising, generally for elderly or vulnerable clients, like groups from care homes, veterans, disability support groups and young carers too. Our other boat is used for education – we run a couple of primary school educational programmes so we get classes to come for a day session and we teach them about the river and environment. Our aim is to connect people with the river – and we want to work with people who might not have this opportunity. 

Could you tell us a little more about the project? How might a volunteering session go at the River Thames Boat Project?

Our two boats are very different – the one we use for education, Thames Venturer, is a converted dutch barge – a big boat, the most iconic of the two. It’s been modified for accessibility, and now features a lift for wheelchairs. A volunteer on the education side of things might begin at 9am, setting up equipment for science experiments. The classes tend to arrive at around ten. Our volunteers will take the roles of teachers or teaching assistants, working with the children to complete basic science experiments. Volunteers are supported by the adult visitors that come with the school children. They are normally with us 9 until 3.

Our other boat, Thames Discoverer, is used for cruising and is the smaller of the 2 boats. It’s got large windows so all our clients, including people in wheelchairs, can enjoy the scenery. We provide half day cruises for 3 hours, or full day cruises for 6. Volunteers will arrive an hour before the client to ensure everything on the boat is ready and the engine is running smoothly. We’ll then collect the client from the departure point. Our volunteers have a mix of duties – crewing (working with the ropes and fenders e.g. when passing through a lock) and hosting the clients. Many of our clients might not have had a conversation outside their care home, so hosting is all about making them feel valued. 

A lot of our cruises focus on the therapeutic value of being by the river. There is some science to suggest that being on or by the water is even more relaxing than being in woodland or other clam spaces. Our cruises allow guests to really take in the river from an angle they might not have seen before. Volunteers are welcome to talk about sites on the river with the clients, like Hampton Court Palace. Sometimes we’ll provide activities for the clients, especially if they’re young children. A firm favourite is clay modeling – the activity is linked to the river which has a bed of clay, and the groups often make lots of fish. In the past we’ve had nursery school groups make boats out of recycled materials, encouraging learning about the river in a sustainable way.

A lot of our volunteers might not know anything about boats, but we provide full training – volunteering with us is a learning opportunity. Volunteers can choose what they get involved in, some only do cruising, some only do the educational side of things, some do both. There’s a lot of flexibility, because training relates to both education and cruising. 

What can volunteers learn by volunteering with the project?

Teaching and teaching assistant roles allow volunteers to learn some of the (science, geography and environmental) education that we share. They’ll also learn public speaking skills, some volunteers really come out of themselves. Volunteers will also learn people management, especially when dealing with 8-10 children on board!

When it comes to cruising, learning opportunities are endless. You can learn to be a deckhand, a starting level in crewing – you’ll learn to use fenders, to tie the ropes. You can also learn to be a skipper (boat driver). We also do a lot of inhouse maintenance – for those who are interested, there are loads of opportunities to learn how to fix things. 

Any funny stories?

We get a lot of really nice feedback – we’ve had kids that come up to us at the end of the day and will say “i’ve had a fantastic day” completely unprompted. We also get children asking if there are sharks in the Thames at Teddington – one of the team will often suggest that we test by feeding some children to them. An idea that normally receives squeals of delight!

Are you interested in volunteering with the River Thames Boat Project? Apply to be a cruising volunteer here or an education volunteer here. 

Want to learn more about the project? Check out their website here, or like their Facebook page!

Not sure where to begin with volunteering? We have a wealth of resources to help new volunteers available here. 

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The Change That Stays

change in volunteering

Change, it is such a multi-use word. It can relate to tyres, the weather, my mood or the country. It is a word that has been doing a lot of heavy lifting in the UK media over the last two months and is lined up for a lot of use for the rest of the year. “Vive le changement” as they say where I will be holidaying soon. 

If we have learnt anything from the history of the last 15 years, it is surely that change comes at you whether you asked for it or not! The question for the Voluntary Sector, and those whose commitment to helping see positive change in others circumstances, is how we ensure that we can be the change we want to see? 

Whether it’s promoting and inspiring or strengthening the diversity of contribution, we can’t be static in the honeymoon months of a new Government. Whether for national campaigning groups, service delivery organisations, mutual aid or every town, villages, suburban entities, the need for those at the cutting edges, areas largely vacated by public services, to be the force for positive change is paramount. The experience of volunteers, seeing the reality of people’s lives, is what really matters and can bring and influence wider change.

Volunteering and Change

Covid and the Cost of Living Crisis opened eyes to how vital the on the ground capacity of volunteering and volunteers is. With that comes power and responsibility. The power is quickly manifesting itself in this “fresh start” with a new, more collaborative approach promised towards our sector from National Government. We have a responsibility here, should good intentions turn into positive action, to ensure said approach is never taken away again. We are serious people in serious times. 

In a world where the loudest voice isn’t always the most perceptive or productive and where attention spans can be short it is imperative, that our individual and collective experience helps shape the future and ensures any substantive change is helpful. Volunteering is the quickest and most effective way to bring change. Whether it is just small scale or the first step in a thousand-mile march, our contribution is the change that is needed everywhere.   

Michael Green. Project Manager, Volunteering Kingston. 

July 2024. 

Want to begin volunteering and bring positive changes to Kingston? Browse roles on our Team Kinetic Site. Alternatively, see how volunteering organisations manifest these changes in our most recent spotlight story!

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The Value of Choice in Volunteering

Timing, they say, is everything. Some timing, like it being the 40th manifestation of National Volunteers Week in 2024 (June 3rd to 9th) is cyclical, comes around annually and surprises nobody. Other timing, like General Election campaigns, are thrust on us by considerations of electoral advantage. And thus two of my personal hinterlands are thrust centre-stage at the same time. What a time to be alive as the saying goes.

National Volunteers Week is normally planned in advance, themes agreed, publicity and promotion settles within a broad confine, as someone with a past in political organisation I can categorically tell you General Elections are thrown together on the hoof, “events dear boy, events” can make irrelevant the most professional gant chart. Timing wise we will have both the Volunteering sector’s annual week of celebration and the NCVO manifesto for the sector and consequently National Volunteering Week will no doubt attract candidates to the sector like a moth to a light. In that exchange I hope they all, across the spectrum, come to understand the real meaning of the term Volunteer. The value not just to the organisation taking on the volunteer but to society as a whole. To also understand how much volunteers, do to lessen the load on the state and local government. Such an appreciation of the reality of Volunteering will go a long way to ensuring that those who are our representatives in Parliament, across all parties, understand the value of choosing where and when to volunteer?

We at Volunteering Kingston work to give prospective volunteers a range of opportunities, to reflect what individuals need. We also work with Volunteer Involving Organisations to attract the skills Volunteers can bring to the table. In those activities the core philosophy for giving time and skills freely and with a mutual respect between volunteer and VIO. The volunteer experience is the glue that keeps attracting individuals to experience their own contribution and Volunteering Kingston is proud to articulate that.

Times change, what was true for volunteering and volunteers over four years ago, never mind sixty-four years ago, no longer applies. In 2024 micro-volunteering is prevalent, people juggle their life’s in a flexible manner and want the same options when it comes to their service to the local community. They value their time as priceless and that is a seismic development that VIO’s have to face and adapt to. Most have done so admirably and whilst it is true some might yearn for nostalgic approaches it is clear the relationship between volunteers and VIO’s has changed permanently and for the better. Choice is King and that is the right approach for the world as we presently find it.

We celebrate volunteers to reflect their contribution and sacrifice. All persons who have contributed over the years did so voluntary and with free will. Over the years, our Justice System and Employment Services have been directed to blur the lines but those activities are around the fringe of the Voluntary Sector. Activity, whether environmental, social or practical, embedded in the community you live in, is at its most effective when it is given willingly, when it is or feels like an obligation it loses its value to both the participator and those receiving the contribution. Once you blur that line with perceived mandatory elements not only do you undermine the volunteer experience you could actually discourage voluntary contributions from those who might otherwise step up.

For Forty years, the core element within the celebration that is National Volunteers Week is that of appreciation. The 2024 version should make sure it continues that regardless of what may be coming around the corner in our interesting times. The very essence of volunteering is the virtuous circle of giving, receiving and facilitating positive change. Nothing, particularly during our celebratory week, can change that. The value of choice in volunteering and the value of volunteers in general is for life, not just for annual National Volunteer Weeks or five year cycles of democracy.

Have a great National Volunteers Week 2024.

Michael Green. Project Manager, Volunteering Kingston

If you’re interested in beginning your volunteering journey this week, take a look at our volunteers page or browse roles on our Team Kinetic website.

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Organisation Spotlight: Home-Start UK

Happy May! Today’s organisation spotlight is on Home-Start, an organisation that connects volunteers with young families to prevent crisis.

Home-Start Logo
Home-Start Logo


Tell us a little about Home-Start:

“Home-Start is a voluntary organisation in which volunteers offer regular support, friendship and practical help to young families under stress remotely or in their own homes helping to prevent family crisis or breakdown. Volunteers, who are parents or have parenting experience themselves, understand that sometimes family life can be tough and that is why their support can be so valuable in helping another family. Volunteers are central to the Home-Start service; we could not offer families the same support without them. We welcome people from all faiths and backgrounds to apply. Volunteers would be based in a family home in one of our boroughs (Richmond, Kingston or Hounslow)”

Why do you want to involve volunteers in your organisation?

“Home-Start is there to help families through their most challenging times by putting a trained volunteer on the doorstep of every family that needs them. By supporting parents and carers, we empower them, building confidence and resilience so that children can thrive”

What volunteer role/s do you have available at Home-Start?

“Home-Start House Visiting Volunteers aim to build the confidence and independence of the family by:

• Offering support, friendship and practical help

• Committing to a minimum of 1-2 hours per week for remote support or 2-3 hours per week home-visiting according to the family’s needs

• Visiting the families in their own homes, where the dignity and identity of each individual can be respected and protected

• Reassuring families that difficulties in bringing up children are not unusual

• Emphasising the positive aspects of family life

• Developing a relationship with the family providing a regular, reliable presence in that family

• Drawing on their own experience of parenting to encourage parents’ strengths and emotional well-being for the ultimate benefit of their own children

• Encouraging families to widen their network of relationships and to use effectively the support and services available in the community”

What advice would you give to someone considering volunteering for Home-Start?

Just two hours of your week will make such a difference to a family. If you are compassionate, kind, committed and have parenting experience you could be our next Home Visiting Volunteer at Home-Start – Richmond, Kingston and Hounslow.

Interested in volunteering with Home-Start? Send them an email at  info@home-start.org.uk or a message at 0116 464 5490.

Discover volunteering roles with organisations like Home-Start here. If you’re with an organisation and would like to get in touch, find Volunteering Kingston’s contact details here.

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“It’s given me a bit more faith in humanity”: Case Study of an Assistant Volunteer at Click Café

For this Case Study I spoke to Duncan Moss, an assistant volunteer at Click Café, a community hub and café run for and by disabled people from Enhanceable. In his words, Duncan’s role involves “helping out where help is needed – operating the till, the dishwasher, setting out food, making tea etc”. He explained that he was let go from his job as a care-worker in 2021, and had decided to begin volunteering to “get back into the swing of having a job”. 

Working at Click

Duncan stated that he had been volunteering for 10 months, and the experience had been very positive. He praised the environment, giving a cheerful anecdote about his interview as an example of its uniqueness: “I had an interview, by the end we were doing karaoke”. Duncan also praised his fellow volunteers, emphasising their kindness and support:  “Everyone is so nice here. No-one’s out to get you,” he explained, “It’s given me a bit more faith in humanity”. For Duncan, volunteering allowed him to better his well-being by socialising and being productive.

Duncan  spoke highly of the working environment and his peers at Click and emphasised that he enjoyed the responsibility of the role. To volunteers at Click Café, the role was not “a job you can just turn up to when you feel like it” largely due to its reliance on volunteers to keep operating. 

When asked about whether or not this role was suitable for a diverse range of volunteers, Duncan was very positive, prefacing his answer with “anybody is welcome here for a cup of tea”. He reiterated the kindness of his co-workers, stating that “we just accept everyone for who they are”. Whether people of different faiths or disabilities came to volunteer, he explained, they were welcome. 

Duncan was extremely optimistic about Click Cafe’s future. “I’ve got lots of ideas for Click Café ”, he explained, “It’s got an exciting future”. Perhaps the best testament to his love of Click Café was when he said that “I’m happy to work here [at Click Café] beyond retirement age”. 

If you’d like to volunteer as a way to gain a solid work experience foundation, be sure to visit Volunteering Kingston and take a look at our current advertised roles. If you’d like to learn more about the benefits of volunteering, read this Case Study on a Visitor Volunteer at the William Morris Gallery.

By Annabelle, Volunteering Kingston

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Eggs, in many baskets.

Easter, with its moveable dates, its complex mixture of general holiday, sporting weekend, chocolate centric themes and occasionally the first sign of proper spring weather, is a reflective time. This year’s Easter weekend was no exception. In volunteering terms, Easter does not have the focus that Christmas and New Year period can generate. Nevertheless, Easter is a good representation of the wide range of volunteer opportunities that take place or are available.

Flexible Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteering is no longer just turning up twice a week at the same place and performing a regular service. Today, volunteers want more variety, Volunteer Involving Organisations (VIO’s) are interested in more flexible volunteers, the range of skills required and experience needed is so much more eclectic than was the case even just five years ago. Volunteers don’t put all their eggs in one basket anymore.

Whilst the 2020-2022 Covid centric experience wasn’t where groups like GoodGym were formed, it was where that flexible responsive nature had a positive light shone on it. Likewise with bite-size and micro volunteering, it was the ability to positively contribute without having to commit to set hours/days which attracted a new cohort to the positives of volunteering. As articulated in blogs past, the age dynamic for volunteers has shifted markedly since 2019, whilst it is easy to just note the decline in “time-rich” older volunteers it is a mistake not to acknowledge the balancing that has taken place with younger, more pro-active volunteers stepping up.

Like all supply and demand situations, there is always a slight lag between the request for flexible volunteering opportunities, or multi-micro volunteering, and the availability to meet those requests. VIO’s however do seem to want to meet the expectations of a new approach, however it tends to be the traditional structures, delivering for communities already, that get priority. Balancing the two is key to ensuring volunteering stays relevant and popular – taking for granted that there will always be volunteers waiting would be a mistake. As anyone who checks in regularly at www.volunteeringkingston.org.uk the evolution of opportunities, from static to organic, will continue in 2024, and the more the merrier for this new approach.

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Organisation Spotlight: Learn English At Home

Organisation: Learn English at Home (LEAH)

Tell us a little about your organisation:

LEAH recently celebrated its 40th anniversary of supporting adults with their English language skills. We are based in Kingston but support students in both Hounslow and Richmond as well. We offer both 1:1 lessons and classes to support people who often can’t access college courses to improve their English. We aim to facilitate language proficiency and foster integration within the local community.

Why are volunteers valuable to your organisation?

With a dedicated team of approximately 100 volunteers, LEAH welcomes individuals from diverse backgrounds who are passionate about education and community engagement. Whether you’re considering a career in teaching, looking to gain experience, or simply wanting to make a positive impact in your community, LEAH offers a fulfilling volunteering opportunity for you. Many of our tutors, like our students, embarked on their English language journey later in life, enriching their understanding and empathy.

What volunteer role/s do you have available?

We are looking for volunteers who could offer an hour a week to help someone improve their English. No prior teaching experience is necessary as we provide full training (six weekly sessions run online). We actively encourage individuals whose first language is not English to apply.

What advice would you give to someone considering volunteering for your organisation?

Don’t worry if you haven’t taught before! LEAH offers thorough training and ongoing support every step of the way. Your willingness to contribute and make a difference is what matters most.