Experiences
Julia Hartley, Education Assistant Volunteer"I decided to become an education assistant volunteer at Skelton Grange Environment Centre to give me more experience working with children in an educational setting. Working at the centre means that you can interact with lots of different pupils and schools who come to share and experience the centre's facilities.
Skelton Grange advocates a hands-on interpretation of teaching so volunteers can find themselves lifting up logs to look for minibeasts or examining the contents of nets to look for pond creatures. Skelton is quite an unusual project and therefore stands out on your CV as something a bit different. Working as an education assistant volunteer shows that you have a genuine interest in education since you are willing to give up your free time to volunteer.
It is a very creative place to work. As well as being jam-packed full of colourful, interactive displays there is a constant generation of new ideas as staff and volunteers discuss new projects or improvements to existing working procedures.
Every education day involves working outdoors, and this coupled with helping with general site maintenance means a lot of fresh air which makes you feel very healthy.
There are lots of opportunities to shadow other leaders so you can witness a variety of different teaching styles.
Skelton Grange keeps in contact with volunteers who have left and charts how their careers are progressing. This information is not only interesting from a social point of view but is also helpful in highlighting possible job options and future career paths for current volunteers."
