This organization works with disadvantaged children to improve their life chances through mentoring and activities. Volunteers help mentor children one-on-one and through team activities to develop skills like literacy, numeracy, communication and self-confidence. The goal is to promote leadership, responsibility and raise aspirations for children's futures.
4. Corporate Volunteering
A partnership with ReachOut! offers organisations the
opportunity to volunteer their time in a number of different
rewarding ways. Whether your staff members opt to be
academic mentors, fundraisers or host a one day employment
workshop, ReachOut! has an experienced team who will help
you develop and manage your volunteering.
ReachOut! understands that finding time to volunteer can be a
challenge for people in paid employment. However, we believe
that engagement with people from all walks of life can help
inspire and broaden the horizons of the young people living
within our local communities.
Half‐day employment workshop
focusing on interview techniques.
Simplyhealth, Manchester
5. Mentoring opportunities
Mentors are exemplary role models who demonstrate positive character attributes to their
mentees and help ReachOut! to achieve its core aims of character development and raising
aspirations. Mentors encourage their mentees to think about their future, their education
and the current path they are on, while sharing some information about their own education
and career. Mentoring opportunities can be either academic or employability focused .
Academic Mentoring
ReachOut! has been recruiting corporate academic mentors since 2006. This involves corporate
volunteers mentoring on the ReachOut! Academy.
Project description
The ReachOut! Academy is an after school project that supports young people's academic
development. The project is split into two parts, in one part the young people take part in fun
activities, in the other the same young people take part in academic mentoring.
Academic mentor role
Academic Mentors volunteer one or two hours, on the same day each week, working with the
same mentee each week, where strong relationships are built. Mentors give practical help to
young people by assisting them in completing school homework or work set by the ReachOut!
Project Leader.
Commitment Level
The ReachOut! Academy runs for 20 weeks during the academic year. September to May.
Training and CRB checks
We have made the process of becoming an Academic Mentor very simple. Volunteers simply
need to attend a two and a half hour training session including safeguarding, at which they
complete a CRB Form.
Training normally takes place at The ReachOut! Office, but can be held in people’s places of
work.
6. Academic Mentoring in action
ReachOut! Academy
London
Corporate volunteers are an integral part of the volunteering team at the ReachOut! Academy
in London. Corporates have been volunteering as academic mentors since 2006. During this
academic year, 2011‐12, we have 50 corporate volunteers.
The maximum level of commitment required for this role is 2 hours, all spent at the project. All
the academic work is set by our ReachOut! Staff so no time is required outside the project.
Following the successful recruitment and training procedures of London, Manchester also has
the capacity to recruit and support corporate mentors.
Manchester
The ReachOut! Academy runs at two locations; St. Paul’s Catholic High School, Wythenshawe
and Our Lady’s RC Sport College, Higher Blackley.
7. Mentoring opportunities
Employability Mentoring
New for 2011, this involves developing a bespoke project involving corporate volunteers
mentoring either year 11 or post 16 students as they begin to think about their future.
Project description
This mentoring can be focused at young people wanting support with planning for their future
careers. Sessions will be structured and delivered to meet the needs of the young people.
Employability mentor role
Employability Mentors volunteer one hour, on the same day each week, working with the same
mentee each week, where strong relationships are built. Mentors give practical help to young
people by assisting them in planning for their future. Sessions could include; CV writing,
interview techniques, writing college applications.
Commitment Level
This will be dependent on the needs of the young people and the availability of the mentors.
Training and CRB checks
We have made the process of becoming an Employability Mentor very simple. Volunteers
simply need to attend a two and a half hour training session including safeguarding, at which
they complete a CRB Form.
Training normally takes place at The ReachOut! Office, but can be held in people’s places of
work.
8. Employability Mentoring in action
TD Waterhouse, Manchester
When my company sent out a request for
mentors to help pupils who are struggling
academically in school to gain interview, CV
writing techniques and to ask any questions
regarding work in the "real world" I was more
than happy to volunteer.
When I was at school I was in the same situation as some of the pupils academically, plus my
school offered no support which meant I ended up leaving with a couple of qualifications with
not great grades. I had no clue what I wanted to do for a career and what my next steps were. I
feel that if there had been an organisation like ReachOut! in place when I was at school it would
have made a great deal of difference to my career path and made it a lot easier to get where I
am today.
I have worked for TD Direct Investing now for 11 years where I have worked in several
departments from dealing, international settlements and now I am working in the IT
department. I feel I can offer good advice on working your way up and can appreciate how hard
it can be to get a step up on the ladder.
In the meeting with the pupils we get to review their CVs, applications for apprenticeships and
colleges . We help the pupils expand the information on the applications to show them in the
best light possible. We will be doing mock interviews where we can pinpoint any problem areas
so that we can work on these in other sessions. Also to be a sounding board for any ideas or
questions that have to do with working or doing an apprenticeship.
Alan Dean | Issues Co‐ordinator| TD Direct Investing
Alan and his colleague volunteer one hour every fortnight at Manchester Enterprise Academy.
9. Workshops
Workshops provide our young people with an insight into employment opportunities and
employment skills. Past experience has shown that the young people benefit from visiting the
organisation premises and meeting some of the staff team. This provides the opportunity for
the young people to experience an employee environment whilst developing their skills in
communication as they develop relationships with different people and employees.
Project description
We understand that all organisations are different and with this in mind the content and
structure of workshops are as flexible as needed. Some example components which your
organisation can chose from to design your workshop include; Introduction to industry, industry
specific employment skills, transferable employment skills.
Group Demographic
Group size can vary depending on the structure and content of the workshop. Past experience
has shown that a group size of between 10 to 20 provides the best environment for discussion
and activities. Groups may be single or mixed sex depending on the school and age group, and
your requirements . Groups are aged between 13 to 18 (School year 9 to 13)
Volunteer role
A member of our experienced team will visit your organisation to discuss the content and
structure of the workshop. During this meeting we will be able to answer any further questions
Committee Members:
you have about ReachOut! and the workshops. Our team will be more than happy to share ideas
and help your team plan and prepare activities to deliver to the young people.
Rse Shemilt‐Griffiths – Chair
Maria Racheva – Secretary
Once the content and dates have been arranged our ReachOut! staff will be available via email
or phone to provide any further assistance during the run up to the workshop.
Christian Orr – Treasurer
Commitment Level
This will be dependent on the content of the workshop.
Training and CRB checks
One day workshops do not require CRB checks or specific training.
10. Workshops in action
ReachOut! has been working in partnership with organisations since 2009. Organisations
include, Nando’s , Simplyhealth, Glaisyers ,UBS, Macquarie Bank and Barclays.
Nando’s Manchester
Nando’s delivered a half day workshop
focusing on application and interview skills.
The aims were threefold;
Provide a brief introduction to Nando’s , giving
the young people the opportunity to
understand how the restaurant runs and cook
their own food.
Develop an understanding of the personal
skills organisations look for during their
recruitment process.
Develop knowledge of recruitment and
selection processes.
Glaisyers Solicitors, Manchester
Glaisyers delivered a half day workshop
focusing on the different job roles within the
organisation and CV skills. The aims were
twofold;
To provide an introduction to Glaisyers, giving
the young people the opportunity to
understand the range of jobs and careers
available within a solicitors firm.
To provide guidance as to what information
needs to be included in a CV and what a
solicitors firm looks for.
11. Project Activities
As well as providing its children and young people with weekly support from a trained mentor,
ReachOut! strives to provide each child and young person to opportunity to try new activities
and learn new skills. Throughout the year we plan a range of activities which your employees
and organisation can support.
Off‐ Site Trips
Off‐site trips are a great way to learn and
interact in a new and different environment to
school. Manchester and London have a vast
array of exciting and educational places of
interest. But for many of the children and
young people we work with financial
constraints make it difficult for them to
access these activities.
Support with supervision , transport and
entrance fee costs is essential during these
trips and would help ReachOut! provide great
opportunities for everyone.
Family Fun Days
ReachOut! believes in supporting the whole
community we work in by providing positive
activities that all the family can participate in
and enjoy.
Family Fun Days are hosted in the secondary
schools we work in by our young people (14
to 18) who help run activity stalls that provide
fun and positive engagement for the children
of their community.
Support with activities stalls, resources and
refreshments provides the opportunity for
each fun day to be creative, varied and most
importantly, free to the community
12. Project Activities
Creative Workshops
Activities that focus on the interests and
passions of our children and young people are
a great way to build self confidence and
provide and safe environment for them to be
creative and express themselves.
Workshops can include art, drama, dancing,
sport.
Support with supervision, delivery, venue hire,
transport and resources provides that chance
for creativity and increased self confidence.
Staff Training
As a growing charity we believe it is
important to maintain a professional and
highly trained team of staff; both mentors
and ReachOut! Staff. Providing up to date and
continuous training opportunities allows us
to invest in the people that are ultimately
responsible for the delivery of our services.
Workshops could include training in
management skills, IT skills, HR, Marketing
and PR.
Volunteer role
The role of the volunteer will be very much dependant on the project activity they would like to
support. In some cases it could be a supervisory role, supporting children on an off‐site trip, in
others it could be a participatory role, leading an activity stall or interacting in a creative workshop.
Commitment Level
This will be no longer than half a day but is dependent on the project activity. Support with project
activities do not require CRB checks or specific training.
13. Corporate fundraising
For organisations that would like to support us with our fundraising efforts we have a
programme of events and fun team building sessions that help raise money to support our
work. As a registered charity, all funds raised by these events will go directly into providing
opportunities for the young people.
ReachOut! Cup
Hosted by young people from our ReachOut! Academy,
our tournaments are a fun way to support local
mentoring. Teams come together to compete for an evening
and win our coveted Cup. You don’t need
to be expert footballers, but it does help to have a
couple of experienced players to lead your team.
The winning team gets to keep the Cup for a year.
Previous winners include Klarius Group and PE Jones.
The ReachOut! Cup is hosted yearly in Manchester London
Challenge4Change
Challenge4Change is a team challenge day. Teams
come together to compete over a 4 hour afternoon
session in a ‘Crystal Maze’ style event.
Activities include:
Quick one minute physical challenges
Mental challenges like scavenger hunts
High ropes challenges like the Jacob's Ladder
Challenge for Change is fully accessible and requires
minimal fitness. The donation is £500 per team of up
to 12 people. Manchester only
Host your own event
Our dedicated Fundraising manager is happy to meet with you and your team to discuss
any fundraising events you would like to host. Examples include; 10K runs, charity dinners.
14. ReachOut! Support
ReachOut! support
We do all the management so you can do the volunteering!
ReachOut! values the support of its corporate partnerships. We understand that time can be a
determining factor when organising volunteering opportunities for team members. It is for this
reason that we have a dedicated team of experienced staff members who will support your
organisation to develop the volunteering opportunities it offers its staff.
Whatever project or event you wish to support us with our team will be more than happy to
individually tailor the management and support of your volunteers in order to meet the needs
of your organisation. Once the partnership has been agreed our ReachOut! staff will be
available via email or phone to provide any further assistance during the volunteering activities.
ReachOut! Safeguarding and Training
We have made the process of becoming a volunteer very simple. Volunteers simply need to
attend a two and a half hour training session at which they complete a CRB Form.
Training normally takes place at The ReachOut! Office, but can be held in people’s places of
work.
One day workshops or fundraising events do not require CRB checks or specific training.
15. Benefits for all
ReachOut! young people
By getting involved with the ReachOut! your organisation can help inspire and broaden the
horizons of the young people living within your local communities. Being skilled professionals
who possess a good range of relevant skills, enables them to actively support the young people
both academically and personally. They bring extensive experience and knowledge about the
ways in which young people can access various fields of work, different perspectives on further
education, apprenticeships and personal contacts.
Your employees
Being involved in the workshops brings a number of benefits such as;
Increased morale, developing skills in public speaking, communication and building rapport
“I enjoyed giving the young people a quick insight as to what part of our job role is to see if it
appeals to them”
“I found that the young people involved in the workshop were more intelligent, switched on and
willing to learn than I was expecting. A rewarding experience!”
“It was fantastic to be given an opportunity to work with young people. It’s not something that I
get to do in the course of my day job and it brought a new dimension to my role for the day!”
“I can teach to teenagers (I thought I was out of touch!)”
16. For further details about mentoring For further details about
or workshops please contact: fundraising please contact:
Heidi Hinchliffe Hannah Christie
Manchester Project Manager Fundraising Manager
heidi@reachoutuk.org hannah@reachoutuk.org
6 Oxford Place 6 Oxford Place
Rusholme Rusholme
Manchester Manchester
M14 5RZ M14 5RZ
T 0161 224 6803 T 0161 224 6803
www.reachoutuk.org
Manchester: 0161 224 6803 ∙ London: 0207 249 6881