VIRTUAL
A Guide to Volunteering
Radley College: An Approach to Social Action Social action has become increasingly important during these challenging times. Over recent weeks, many of you will have read stories of extraordinary acts of kindness, support and outreach within local communities. Through charitable opportunities in their socials, college community action projects and engagement at home, many boys are already very active. With the prospect of a significant time away from school, we think this a vital part of their education at this time. While social action builds and enhances the communities within which young people engage, it has a double benefit of developing a range of capacities in young people. Volunteering can empower Radleians to form a clearer sense of their relationships with others, as well as of their own purpose in life. We are working here to develop opportunities for each Social to engage collectively – from a distance - in support for local communities and our own furloughed staff, but we would love each boy to think about what they can do in their own context too. I hope the following helps.
What can you do? There are three principal recommendations as to how you can help your son develop and sustain social action: 1. Encouragement: encourage your son to believe they have the skills, confidence and time to participate. 2. Support: support your son to continue participating as they move through particular difficulties. 3. Reflection: guide your son to reflect on their journey, and the benefits gained.
What will Radley do? As we plan for a virtual school environment, we will encourage and support your sons, while promoting their wide-ranging work. Our aim is three-fold: 1. Each Form master and Tutor will help support your son. We will guide them, helping them to take ownership and set activities which are: socially impactful; progressive and challenging. 2. Students will be encouraged to post stories online, reflecting upon their experiences – this can be done through videos, photographs, written stories (with proper consent of those involved).
3. We will help support parents by providing a framework to help conversations about your son’s social action work.
Keep it manageable and stay safe 1. 2. 3. 4.
Let family and friends know what you’re doing. Do simple things: write a letter, phone a family member, help around the house. Do what you can for your neighbours, always observing government guidance. Don’t take on too much - it's often better not to offer at all than to let someone down. 5. If you’re trying to help someone with very serious issues – don’t be afraid to raise concerns
Selected resources #iwill: https://www.iwill.org.uk/coronavirus-response-resources#yp-news “At a time of national crisis, the #iwill campaign’s agenda, to grow meaningful collaboration between organisations, decision-makers and young people to solve common problems, is more relevant than ever.” National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO): https://www.ncvo.org.uk/ncvovolunteering/i-want-to-volunteer/volunteering-coronavirus “Here’s how you can volunteer to help and support others during the coronavirus (covid-19) pandemic.” Leonard Cheshire: https://www.leonardcheshire.org/get-involved/volunteer-us/socialaction “Social action volunteering is all about choosing what works for you or your group; contained are lots of short and flexible actions you can take as well as longer term actions — from simply sharing a message through to face to face volunteering.” Gov.uk: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-how-to-help-safely-2/coronavirus-how-to-help-safely John Sparks Director of Partnerships