Charities and Volunteering at the Senior School
Charities and Volunteering at the Senior School
Introduction
Volunteering and charity work at the BSP –
“an exchange of time for an experience”
Dear Students and Parents, The volunteering and charity opportunities give students the chance to widen their learning outside the classroom. The world beyond the gates of the BSP is rich and diverse; volunteering teaches our young people the lasting value of giving time to others. Our volunteering programme is not about having something to write about on a CV it is about developing a positive attitude to supporting the wider community, about understanding the importance of service before self. “Whether there’s a particular cause that’s close to your heart, or you’re just keen to meet some new people, get out of your comfort zone and try something new. I would encourage students facing the big decision of “what next?” over the coming years to start by giving some of their time to others. The truth is, volunteering is never one-way, it’s an exchange of time for an experience, an interaction or enrichment and you never know where that could lead you.” Georgina Connors (BSP alumna 2012-2016) This booklet provides an overview of the ways students can get involved. Please read it carefully to see if one (or more) options are of interest. If students would like to find out more or sign up to participate please contact the appropriate tutor, Head of Year or Mr Bates. 2
Volunteering opportunity
Cooking with Teenagers with Special Educational Needs
Overall objective To encourage and support disabled teenagers/young adults aged 14-20 to be more self-confident and autonomous, at l’Institut médicoéducatif Les Glycines in Saint-Germain-en-Laye. Your role • to accompany the group of teenagers to their local shop/ supermarket to shop for ingredients. • to help them cook a simple evening meal. • to sit down and share the meal afterwards and have a good chat! This role will involve an active commitment to attend at least every other month. The monthly sessions can be shared between a group of students. Students do not need to know how to cook but conversational French would be beneficial. Time commitment One afternoon per month. Who will you work with? A member of the BSP staff/parent will drive you to the project and a member of the IME staff will lead the session. Getting Home You will be asked to make your own way home after the session. This will be stressed as part of the sign-up process. Who can volunteer? 6th Form only due to the independent nature of this volunteering. 3
Volunteering opportunity
Social Garden Project - ELLSA Overall objective To help out in a social garden project in Achères. You will help develop a garden for local people who are experiencing difficult times. The aims of this project are very similar to the Red Cross in Chatou: to act as a bridge to help put people and families back on their feet. It also has an environmental goal of trying to connect people to the environment. Role and time commitment This role will involve an active commitment once a month on a Friday afternoon. The work will be outside in the fresh air. It will involve developing a garden area, but no previous gardening experience is necessary. When? One afternoon per month. Leave the BSP at 1.30pm – return at 4.00pm. We ask that students • wear covered hard soled shoes (walking shoes would be ideal) • bring a pair of gardening gloves if possible (if not we have enough pairs) • bring a lightweight raincoat • wear warm clothing that can get dirty. Number of people per week Minimum 4, more if we have extra transport. Who will you work with? A member of the BSP staff will drive you to the project where you will work with a member of staff from ELLSA and BSP staff. Who can volunteer? 6th Form only.
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Volunteering opportunity
Volunteering with Emmaüs Context Emmaüs is France’s largest charity. It began by providing homeless people with safety and purpose. This involves giving homeless people a chance to work their way out of homelessness in a stable environment. The work involves recycling anything that is donated by the public. The charity is now active all over the world. Objective Students volunteer on a Saturday morning. This is our most independent programme. The school emails Emmaüs the names of those who would like to volunteer and the students are responsible for their travel arrangements. The philosophy of Emmaüs is inspiring – students are encouraged not only to work but to chat, eat lunch and share with the “companions” who are trying to rebuild their lives. Students who are interested must attend a talk given by the President of Emmaüs Bougival, Alain Campas, and tour Emmaüs as part of a school visit. They are therefore more aware of the charity’s aims and the type of work they will do. Role and time commitment On a Saturday students normally begin at around 9am and finish before lunch. They are very welcome to stay for lunch which begins at 12. Trips to Emmaüs are also scheduled on a Friday afternoon during 6th Form Sport. Students should always be in pairs so they feel more confident. Who can volunteer? Years 11 to 13 only due to the independent nature of this action. 5
Volunteering opportunity
Music - Retirement Home Objective Korian Mandoline is a retirement home in Chatou. Students volunteer to give a mini-concert and to chat to the residents who love speaking to younger people. Inter-generational contact has been recognised as an aspect of life society needs to address in the 21st century. What do students do? Students come prepared with a piece of music they can play individually or as a group. Normally a mini-concert lasts for 40 minutes and is followed by a chat over a game. The chatting obviously involves some French but equally students learning French can be supported by more fluent speakers. This project is driven by the enthusiasm and commitment of those who volunteer. Time commitment Students leave school at 4pm and are free to leave the home at 5.45pm. Students can then be dropped back at school, collected from the home or make their own way home (6th Formers only). Who can volunteer? Musicians and chatterboxes from Year 7 to Year 13.
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Volunteering opportunity
Sport with Teenagers with Special Educational Needs
Context The IME (Institut médico-éducatif) in Carrières-sur-Seine is a school that provides education for teenage children with learning difficulties. Students from the IME are accompanied by their teachers. The aim is for them to have normal interaction with other teenagers while playing a sport. In the past basketball and inflatable volleyball have worked well. In order for this session to happen on a regular basis it will take place during Friday afternoon sport. What will happen in School? IME students will join 6th Form students playing sport. Students will just need to have normal chats while playing different sports. Your level of sport is not at all important. You will need to be able to communicate in simple French. Working in pairs is a good way to become more confident or to get by. A smile goes a long way! Who will you work with? Mr Bates, the 6th Form staff and IME staff will help you in this role. When will this take place? Once a month on a Friday afternoon between 2.15pm and 3.15pm. Who can volunteer? 6th Form only.
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Volunteering opportunity
Junior School Volunteering Your role You will help in the classroom on an individual basis, working on a variety of tasks including listening to children read and assisting small groups of pupils under the direction of the class teacher. Time commitment Usually about an hour a week. Who will you work with? A member of staff will help you organise the placement. On a weekly basis you will work with a Junior School teacher. When? When your timetable allows and when the Junior School teachers need help. What do you need to remember? This is a long term commitment that can only be reviewed after speaking with the teachers. You are a role model for the Junior School pupils and as such, should be aware that personal presentation, time keeping and general attitude when helping are very important. You will be required to sign in and out on both campuses, and to wear your badge at all times. As a courtesy, you need to let the Junior School and the study coordinator know if you are going to miss a session. You should give the teachers plenty of notice of any foreseeable absence.
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Volunteering opportunity
Volunteering with the Red Cross Red Cross Our local Red Cross branch supports local people in need by providing training programmes and by running a food shop where produce is sold at 10% of its value. Their actions are financed by selling clothes, books and other donated items. Overall objective Students visit the Red Cross once a month to sort items before they are sold. We will hold a collection day of toys in November. The toys will then be sold at both the BSPS Christmas Fair and the Red Cross’ own Christmas market. The money raised will be used to support local families. Role and time commitment This role will involve an active commitment to attend sessions at the Red Cross premises in Chatou plus work within school to plan the collection. Volunteering at the Red Cross will involve an initial training and awareness session where you will be told about the aims of the charity and how to organise a collection of toys. Most of the work will then be done within school to prepare the collection. A major part of this job will be to work with the charity reps in each year group. Who can volunteer? Open to all year groups. When? One afternoon when we go to the Red Cross, or on another evening when the group works in school. Who will you work with? A member of the BSP staff will drive you to the project where you will work with Red Cross and BSP staff. Within school a teacher will help you organise the collection but this is very much a student led project. 9
Volunteering opportunity
Eco School Club Aims The Eco School Club aims to promote “being green” around school. Students are very active in changing behaviour towards the world in which we live. Your role • Help run a lunchtime club • Promote ‘being green’ around the school • Support members of the club with their ideas for new projects. Time commitment 45-60 minutes every fortnight over lunchtime. Personal qualities • Motivated and interested in helping to make the BSP more eco friendly • Able to bring ideas and initiatives to the project • Able to work on one’s own initiative • Able to motivate younger students • Reliable, with good school attendance. Who can volunteer? All year groups. Who should students contact? Mrs Deshayes.
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Volunteering opportunity
Art/Music Workshops with Teenagers with Special Educational Needs
Overall objective To encourage and support disabled teenagers/young adults aged 1420 at the Institut médico-éducatif Les Glycines in Saint-Germain-enLaye to be more self-confident and autonomous. Who can volunteer? Years 10 to 13.
• ART WORKSHOPS What will students do? The art workshops will include working with clay and a photography project. Where and when will this take place? At the BSP between 4.30pm and 5.45pm in the Art block on Wednesday afternoons. • MUSIC WORKSHOPS Where and when will this take place? We will be organising a music visit on a Friday afternoon once a month during 6th Form sport.
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Volunteering opportunity
Young Managers Scheme Aim The Young Managers scheme allows students to take on an extra responsibility in an area of their choice. They volunteer their time mostly during the school day under the supervision of a certain department or teacher. It allows students the opportunity to show their interest and apply their learning in an area of interest. Examples of the opportunities open to Years 10 and 11: • • • • • • • • •
Art Department English Homework club Lost property and charity donations IT support assistant Infirmary assistant Junior School assistant Laboratory assistant Key Stage 3 Languages assistant Learning support fun and games assistant • P.E assistant Time commitment Support will be needed once a week at a convenient time. Who can volunteer? Years 10 and 11. Who should students contact? Mr Hawkes or Mrs Tomlinson.
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