Newcastle
Vicky decided three years ago that she wanted to get involved in BT’s volunteer work in schools. But there was no club in Newcastle at the time, so she decided to set one up. The fact that, at 25, she was one of the youngest club leaders and had never done any work in schools, didn’t deter her.
She decided to start in schools in some of the most deprived areas of the city, where she reckoned the need would be greatest. She was right. During one exercise she asked the children to count up all the different people they had conversations with. One boy, George, had only ever spoken to three people; his mum wasn’t interested in speaking to him and he had no friends at school. He had no confidence at all. After spending some time with him, Vicky watched him become more and more alive. He shot up his hand to answer questions and really began to blossom.
More than 70% of the parents at the school were unemployed. Giving the children a chance to meet a businesswoman in a suit started some of the kids thinking about their own futures and gave them aspirations they’d have struggled to have without the help of Vicky and her team of BT Volunteers.
She decided to start in schools in some of the most deprived areas of the city, where she reckoned the need would be greatest. She was right. During one exercise she asked the children to count up all the different people they had conversations with. One boy, George, had only ever spoken to three people; his mum wasn’t interested in speaking to him and he had no friends at school. He had no confidence at all. After spending some time with him, Vicky watched him become more and more alive. He shot up his hand to answer questions and really began to blossom.
More than 70% of the parents at the school were unemployed. Giving the children a chance to meet a businesswoman in a suit started some of the kids thinking about their own futures and gave them aspirations they’d have struggled to have without the help of Vicky and her team of BT Volunteers.
