My experience as Southampton Hub’s Empower Co-ordinator
For Student Volunteering Week 2020, Jordan chose to reflect on his experience volunteering as Southampton Hub’s Empower programme.
I’m the Project Co-ordinator for Southampton Hub’s Empower project for 2019/2020. Empower is a national Student Hubs programme which aims to improve local secondary school children’s self-esteem, motivation and attainment. Volunteers are matched with students on a 1:1 basis and spend 6 weeks working through a booklet which covers topics such as career planning, peer relationships and revision. As the Co-ordinator, I help with the selection and training of volunteers and also act as a liaison between the school and the mentors.
I first volunteered for Empower in my first year of university, where I was a mentor to a Year 9 student at St Anne’s Catholic School near Mayflower Halls. I really enjoyed my volunteering experience but wasn’t able to commit to volunteering in the 2nd term. When it came time to pick the next Empower Co-ordinator, I met with the former Co-ordinator to discuss the position. Although I enjoyed my time volunteering, I felt there were things that could change; I especially wanted Empower to run at a mixed school. I applied for the position and on the 20th March, at the AGM, I found out I got it.
My first term as Empower Co-ordinator was hectic. We ran the programme at a new school in Upper Shirley and it took some time to get the programme to run smoothly. We are now in our second term of working with Upper Shirley High and it is running much better.
Being on the committee of Southampton Hub has been great fun. Although at some points it could be challenging, everyone is very supportive, and we all have the same passion for helping people. Southampton Hub is also committed to our professional development, offering training in a number of different areas such as behaviour management. Soon the position of Empower Co-ordinator will be open to apply for next year, as well as other positions. If you want to help other people be it academically, emotionally or environmentally and would like to work in a supportive team that values you and your contributions I highly recommend you apply.