Business student George from Stratford College recently completed Stratford Town Trust’s Making a Difference volunteer and work experience programme. He had a varied and enjoyable week and made an extremely positive impact in a short space of time.
The week was kicked off with an introduction to Foundation House and the charities and groups based there, with Community Hub Manager, Fran Donnelly. He was given the opportunity to assist with an Adult and Community Learning Group, having conversations with students from an ESOL class to help them practice their English language skills.
George said: “I got to know the group a little bit and helped to develop their English. I also helped one of them come up with strategies that would help them overcome their stage fright, as they had to give a presentation to a large group of about 250 people.”
He then spent two mornings with Men’s Shed, who have a woodworking workshop at Foundation House. The group is a space for over 50’s to connect, build friendships and learn new skills. They really enjoyed talking to George about their past experiences and liked having an extra pair of hands to help make items for an upcoming market.
Throughout the week, he proved to be an enormous help to Stratford Town Trust staff by setting up rooms and helping with all important envelope stuffing for a mass mail out to members.
He also supported Escape Arts with group sessions at the Slaughter House and enjoyed it so much he has now signed up to their volunteer programme which is a great result!
Niamh Oldham, work experience coordinator for Escape Arts said: “Our thanks to George – he has been absolutely fantastic this week, a huge help and all our participants absolutely loved him!”
Finally, at the end of the week, George put his skills to good use by creating a project evaluation with Team Springboard staff, who are starting a new community gardening project in the local area. He even sketched out some ideas for what the garden could look like.
George said: “I thoroughly enjoyed each and every aspect of my work experience and loved meeting everybody at Foundation House, The Old Slaughterhouse and the Stratford Town Trust team.”
For more information on our Making a Difference programme, please contact Community Hub Manager Fran Donnelly on 01789 295011 or email: fran.donnelly@foundationhouse.co.uk
To find out more about activities, events and groups at Foundation House, visit: www.foundationhouse.co.uk