Tell us about the volunteering that you do and the impact this makes...

I have been a school governor for about five years, chaired the curriculum committee until recently, and sit on the staffing committee and the Headteacher's appraisal panel. Like others have said, I've found it a fascinating and very helpful experience - particularly as I work in the charitable sector, so am very used to working with governors/trustees, and the perspective of actually being one is really valuable.
A volunteering role that I really enjoy, but sadly can't do very often these days because of work pressure, is the volunteering I do for Smart Works. It's a charity that provides interview coaching and a 'dressing session (advice and support from people who know about that kind of thing (not me!) to choose an interview outfit from donated suits/accessories) for women who have been long-term unemployed, who have a job interview in the next few days. In honesty, some of the women I've coached in this process have been incredible. The charity has a fantastic success rate (of the women they support, 60% succeed at the interviews they are going for), and give enormous confidence to people that really need it.

It's a great organisation - I'd encourage everyone to get involved! Sadly my commitment there was one day a month previously, but I just can't do that in my current role. I cover standby days when they can't get coaches in now, and I've done a few sessions remotely.

It's a great organisation - I'd encourage everyone to get involved! Sadly my commitment there was one day a month previously, but I just can't do that in my current role. I cover standby days when they can't get coaches in now, and I've done a few sessions remotely.