Leeds Rhinos Foundation’s Inspiring Champions project, sponsored by the IGEN Trust has worked with over 600 children during the school year with support from a team of volunteer staff from British Gas.
The project, that works with pupils in year 5 is an early intervention initiative using the brand of Leeds Rhinos and its assets such as players, facilities and values to stop children becoming NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) later on in life.
British Gas Team Leader Jackie Mangan, who completed a six-week volunteering opportunity said it has been fulfilling to work with children on the Inspiring Champions project.
“It’s been very rewarding and nice to see how different all the students are and how excited they were when they came along," said Mangan.
The programme increases educational experiences away from the school setting by engaging children in activities that inspire them to become more responsible citizens and for Jackie, working with children has given her some valuable experience for her role at British Gas.
“All of my team at British Gas have different learning styles,” she added.
“Having the opportunity to volunteer has really helped me understand how to use different approaches when training colleagues at work.”
Delivered over a six-week block of lessons, the programme covers themes focusing on health and wellbeing, ambitions and aspirations, building resilience, looking towards the future, learning respect and values and a chance to identify with the Rhinos and the city of Leeds by taking a tour of the stadium.
Project Tutor Chris Barr, who runs the programme added:
“The support we have from British Gas is invaluable and allows us to be able to work with more pupils on a one-to-one basis which is much more valuable for them. It has definitely been a mutually beneficial relationship with volunteers like Jackie able to use her volunteering experiences in her role at British Gas, so long may it continue.”
To hear from Jackie about her volunteering experience with the Leeds Rhinos Foundation what her Volunteering Case Study below: