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ASSURANCE OF SUSTAINABILITY REPORTS: CONSOLIDATING A STRATEGIC DOCUMENT
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VOLUNTEERING IN THE COMMUNITY: MAKING A DIFFERENCE THROUGH TUTORING
Elena Mumby is Head of Risk for Bureau Veritas UK & Ireland. Despite her senior role, she makes time to tutor children from under-resourced areas with Action Tutoring, as part of our structured volunteering programme. Here she talks about her experiences of working with young people and why she believes others should get involved with volunteering.
Head of Risk
Bureau Veritas UK
Giving back is extremely rewarding. I’ve always enjoyed working with children, I do believe they’re our future.
What are your experiences so far?
There was a quick onboarding process before I began tutoring. Since then, I’ve taken seven sessions and I can already see results - I see that spark in their eyes when they think “it makes sense, I can do it!” I’ve been able to tailor my teaching for the children’s different personalities. It’s very rewarding to build strong foundations for the students, helping them to become well rounded in their knowledge of mathematics.
Why did you choose Action Tutoring?
I’ve always enjoyed volunteering with children, I do believe they’re our future. It’s great to support in the development of key foundations in learning to maximise each individual’s potential.
Action Tutoring’s vision resonated with me. Through their dedicated programmes, they boost student’s self-esteem and confidence in education.
What does a typical tutor session include?
The session itself is an hour, the tutor joins at least five minutes before to make sure the software is working and to upload the templates. After this, the children join, we do some ice breakers, before moving onto exercises such as calculus to warm up. Then we do some theory and further questions, with ice breakers along the way to keep their attention.
TALK ABOUT your passion for maths
One maths teacher changed my perception and helped me ultimately decide on a lot of things in my life.
They said, “Forget equations, forget the approach. Visualise it – what does it mean? What coordinates? What is it? How would you map it? How would you work it out for yourself so you would never forget?”
Some people can be afraid of maths. I wanted to show children in particular what maths means in day-to-day life. To give them confidence and show them the beauty of the subject.
What are you most proud of?
I’ve managed to change a little boy’s view on his own abilities. When we started, he strongly believed he had no talent for maths. After seven sessions he’s one of the most engaged students. It was very rewarding to see that transformation over a fairly short period of time.
Why should others volunteer?
I always believe that one of the key parts of life is to give back as it is extremely rewarding. Looking at that bigger picture, we’re building a future. Even if we contribute on a small scale and change the lives of three children it can help the whole population.