How your organisation can get involved in Words for Work
“It’s a win for employers and a win for pupils. From our point of view helping children to have the best chance of getting a job is good for the local economy.”
- Douglas Spinks, Deputy Chief Executive of Woking Borough Council
1) Sponsorship
One of the ways you can support Words for Work is by donating money to the project. Organisations that have donated to date include: BT, NHS, UBS. You can simply donate some money, or you can explore Words for Work volunteering opportunities for your colleagues. Please contact us to discuss possible funding partnerships.
2) Volunteering
Thank you to everyone who has volunteered so far. Your commitment has helped Words for Work to transform the communication skills of over 300 young people so far and has supported the development of the scaled up project, which will see Words for Work delivered to many more young people across the UK.
Take a look at the Words for Work volunteer gallery to see images of volunteers in action!
One of the key aims of Words for Work is to improve young people’s employability by impacting on their speaking and listening skills. The most effective way to achieve this is through the participation of volunteers from the local business community. Words for Work volunteers help to build communication skills of young people. They offer a unique insight into the adult world of work, direct access to communication skills and an opportunity for the young people to work creatively and independently in partnership with adults for a common goal.
The role of the business volunteers is crucial to the Words for Work experience for the young people involved. In addition it is rewarding for the volunteers themselves:
“It was a great element of satisfaction to help coach young adults who clearly have not had the best opportunities in life. I found it very useful for my personal development as well as it really made me think about what I have achieved too. A wonderful project where we could really see the outcomes.”
- James, Volunteer, Words for Work 2010
Read blogs by Words for Work volunteers
What are the benefits of volunteering for Words for Work?
“I’m really glad I’ve done it. I’ve met new people, and people at work I’ve never met before. I feel really proud every time I say ‘I’m off to school tomorrow’ – it gives me another dynamic about me. It gives me something else that I do.”
- Kate, Volunteer, Words for Work 2011
Words for Work volunteers have the opportunity to:
- Exercise their expertise and experience in the workplace to inspire young people
- Enhance their professional development
- Bring satisfaction to their professional and personal lives
- Develop their own communication and facilitation skills
- Challenge themselves to work outside their comfort zone to motivate young people in a supervised environment
- See young people develop new skills under their facilitation
If you would like to volunteer for Words for Work, take a look at the hubs map to see if there are projects taking place near you. If you do not live near a Words for Work hub, please contact us.
