Volunteers are at the heart of our mission. Their dedication inspires change, not just for individuals but for entire communities. Our Programme Manager, Sarah Atkinson, recently caught up with Esther, a dynamic undergraduate from the University of Birmingham. Esther was one of our volunteers who went above and beyond to make a difference. After attending our coach training, she dedicated her time to coaching young people aged 13-14 (Year 9s), providing vital maths support on programmes we ran at Hodge Hill College and Rockwood Academy.
Her sessions helped build their confidence, independence and resilience, equipping them with skills they can carry forward in their academic and personal lives. Esther’s passion and commitment left a lasting impact, and her unwavering commitment earned her recognition from our West Midlands team, who nominated her for a well-deserved Room to Reward break.
Room to Reward (R2R)
R2R is a unique charity initiative that acknowledges the contributions of exceptional volunteers like Esther. They support the work of charities by offering complimentary breaks across the UK via hotels donating their unsold rooms. Esther’s dedication to transforming young minds made her a deserving recipient - a small but meaningful way to thank her for her hard work.
During a recent conversation with Sarah, Esther reflected on her journey:
Esther coaching young people in GCSE maths at Rockwood Academy
Sarah: Did you face any challenging situations when you were at school, and if so, were they resolved?
Esther: One thing that kept cropping up for me personally when I was a pupil at school was my struggle with self-esteem and self-efficacy.
In maths and English classes, I didn't trust my answers. So I would constantly put my hand up, asking for help, clarification, reassurance and everything in between, because I didn’t believe I could figure things out by myself and get the right answers.
My teachers helped me resolve that by only giving me three opportunities to ask for help during each lesson. At first, it was tough, but it forced me to think carefully about when I truly needed help and to understand that I didn't need to be handheld the whole way through a class. Over time, I began to do things on my own.
This helped build my self-esteem because it taught me to rely on myself.
Sarah: What does social mobility mean to you as a young person, and how important is it?
Esther tells us what social mobility means to her.
Esther: Social mobility means being able to reach my potential and making the most of the sacrifices my parents made to get me this far. It's important to me because I'd just like to make my parents proud. I want to show those who believed in me that they were right to, and prove those who didn't that they were wrong.
Sarah: In your opinion, what are some of the biggest challenges young people from disadvantaged backgrounds face in achieving social mobility?
Esther: It’s not believing they are worthy of it. And many young people struggle to see what’s possible because they don’t have a relatable role model who can demonstrate that they can achieve their goals.
Sarah: Have you ever had a mentor or coach who made a positive impact on your life? If so, how did they help you?
Esther: Yes, I have. I was incredibly lucky to have various teachers throughout secondary school and sixth form college who believed in me, even when I didn't think I could achieve the grades I needed for sixth form or university.
They believed in my potential, and they did this by showing genuine interest in the things that I liked and in the topics of psychology I was passionate about. This demonstrated to me that my passions are important and valuable. They encouraged me to pursue them, which ultimately shaped my career path.
Sarah: What qualities or skills do you think are important for a good coach to have?
Esther: Consistency is key. Try your best to make every session because a consistent coach truly breeds the best learning environment for those they are coaching. Secondly, patience and understanding. I think those qualities are essential, too, as you need to remember that just because something makes sense to you or comes quickly to you doesn't mean that the children you're coaching will feel that way.
Sarah: What made you decide to volunteer as a coach for CoachBright?
Esther: When the CoachBright team came to my university to talk about the programme, they introduced me to the term: postcode lottery.
The postcode lottery is the idea that a person’s postcode determines things like the educational services they have access to and the opportunities available. Hearing about this made me determined to help others affected by this issue. I want to help others not be shackled by the postcode they’re in and to ensure they aren’t limited by their circumstances.
Sarah: Thank you so much for helping others be the best they can be. At CoachBright, volunteers are the heart of what we do. They change lives and prove that one person’s efforts can have a ripple effect on an entire community.
Volunteers Week: Celebrating Heroes
As part of Volunteers Week, an annual UK-wide campaign held every June, we will be nominating more of our fantastic volunteers to celebrate and recognise their contributions. They are the driving force behind our programmes, and Esther’s story is a testament to the power of volunteering and the profound impact a good coach can have. Her journey reflects our unwavering belief that every young person deserves the chance to succeed, regardless of their postcode or background.