ACL Essex is celebrating the impact volunteers bring to their learners during National Volunteers Week and is seeking more volunteers to sign-up and help others in their community at their centres.
Volunteer positions are available in a variety of roles, such as classroom support volunteers, a role that assists, motivates and inspires learners to reach their goals. For the digital savvy that’s opportunities to become digital champions; supporting adults to get to grips with the digital world. The roles are rewarding and fun and there’s a host of opportunities on offer.
Celebrating the support provided by volunteers is Councillor Sam Journet, Cabinet Member for Education, SEND and Skills. He said: “Volunteers provide an essential service to learners at ACL Essex. However, it is not just learners who benefit.
“Volunteers gain so much by sharing their skills and experience with fellow adults. By helping others to learn new skills, they also get the chance to meet new people, develop their skills, improve their CV, and increase self-confidence. I’d really encourage anyone interested in becoming a volunteer to apply.”
Volunteers from across Essex have given up their time to help others, some for as long as 15 years.
Maureen Hodge, a volunteer from Chelmsford, explained: “When I retired, I was looking for something interesting to do and asked at ACL if there were any volunteering opportunities available. The answer was yes! This led to me being a volunteer for the last 15 years.
“I love the atmosphere and progress that the students make in learning English, and this makes me feel that my time is well spent volunteering at ACL.”
Heidi Withnell, who volunteers at Clacton and Colchester centres and started as a learner at ACL before becoming a volunteer, said: “There have been many happy memories while working with various students. The biggest impact is watching students gain confidence and show more enjoyment with their work.
“I enjoy my work. I enjoy the people and happy environment at ACL where everybody is working together. I have found it very rewarding and it has given me greater confidence. Volunteering is very worthwhile.”
To find out more about volunteering and the range of courses available at ACL centres visit: www.aclessex.com.
