Semi-retirement signalled a radical change for former civil servant and public sector manager Elaine Mitchell, who after 40 years working in Welfare Benefits & Social Housing at  several high performing local authorities and social housing providers,  was suddenly free to fulfil her dream and pursue her passion – to make a difference to a child’s life.

“I had a brilliant English teacher when I was at Deansfield High School (now St Matthias) in Wolverhampton – her name was Ms Coates. She had such a positive impact on me then and long into the future. I did well in the subject and developed a lifelong love for reading,” she explained. “I wanted to do the same for another child, which is why, when the planets aligned for me, I opted to train as a teaching assistant at St Nicholas First School in Codsall, South Staffordshire, and volunteer with Action Tutoring, an education charity that supports young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to achieve a meaningful level of academic attainment, helping them progress to further education, employment or training. It was a ‘win -win’ opportunity for me and the young people I supported.

“I now tutor English remotely to a 10 year old Year 6 boy at Comber Grove Primary, Camberwell, London, every Tuesday from 8-9am, before he starts school. He is always really appreciative.  When I first started he asked, ‘Is it just you and me Miss?…Do I have you all to myself?’ He told me I made him feel really special – he touched my heart!

“First, the charity completed a baseline assessment on my pupil to pinpoint gaps in his learning and I help to fill them in by revisiting skills covered in school that he hasn’t mastered yet. The extra practice and support helps consolidate his understanding. We have been focussing on inference, prediction, summarising and comprehension and questions that will be asked in his SATs. At the end of each session, I do a recap with him and a debrief with my Action Tutoring coordinator regarding any concerns I might have. They are always available to give me advice.

“The charity provides me with resources for my pupil, guidance on what to teach, and answers to questions – so provision is standardised across all Action Tutoring’s volunteers. They also gave me training on how to use Vedamo, the interactive Virtual Classroom and Learning Management System I use for successful online tutoring.

“I can also access support from the WhatsApp tutor group and Facebook group which is very helpful.

“I’m always mindful of the influence I will have on my pupil for the rest of his life. I’m also conscious of the fact it is 8am in the morning, and tough for kids, but if it’s a quality job and they are glad they got up a bit earlier, it’s worth it!

“Time is our most valuable commodity, and if you have some time to give to someone else to make a difference, you won’t be disappointed – it will mean so much to the child and to you. Time is the greatest gift you can give to anyone.”

To sign up to volunteer with Action Tutoring or to learn more, please email hello@actiontutoring.org.uk or call 0203 872 5894.