“I was in the midst of organizing my wedding, and felt like I needed to do something that wasn’t about me, so I found the tutoring opportunity online and am glad I signed up!”
Each of our volunteers has a story and we’re dedicated to sharing them on our #CommuniTea Stories webpage.
Earlier this month, we spoke to Jimmy and got to learn more about him!
(Pictured: Jimmy making new friends in the Northern Territory in 2016)
Name
Jimmy
What is your volunteer role?
Homework Program Tutor
How long have you been volunteering at NRCH?
It has been over two years (although for a large chunk of this time the program hasn’t been running due to COVID-19).
What motivated you to start volunteering for NRCH?
I was in the midst of organizing my wedding, and felt like I needed to do something that wasn’t about me, so I found the tutoring opportunity online and am glad I signed up!
Why do you continue to volunteer for NRCH?
For two reasons; firstly, it helps me feel more connected to the community, and secondly, I hope to be able to help the students who turn up each session.
What do you find most rewarding/satisfying about volunteering?
I think it’s the time when you connect with a student, or a group of students, and can see that they are open to learning – I don’t think that its easy to tutor someone without a degree of trust.
What do you find challenging about volunteering?
Tutoring primary school students is worlds apart from my day job (risk advisory for financial services), and so shifting my mindset after a long day at work to interacting with students is definitely something I struggle with.
Can you describe the most surprising thing that you have observed while volunteering?
I think it’s interesting to see how the students interact with each other and with the different tutors. I also feel like there are multiple spheres of communication in a classroom, and can see the students are quick to pick up on a lack of confidence or authority, so they keep you on your A-game!
Have you benefited from volunteering?
It’s given me an opportunity to interact with a very special part of the community that I otherwise might not get to meet at work or, not being from Melbourne originally, through my friends and family.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I love the sea, so spend as much time as I can near the beach, kayaking, sailing and swimming. I also love theatre and subscribe to the Melbourne Theatre Company, which puts on an amazing set of shows each year.
What always makes you laugh?
My granny. She is in her nineties and is about half my height (and I’m not that tall), but she’s still going strong.
Who has been a positive influence on you?
Someone I worked for a couple of years ago had a mindset in which they just loved ‘getting stuff done’, and I often remind myself that it’s easy to get comfortable or for things in life to take longer than necessary. But if you focus on ‘getting stuff done’ you can achieve a lot and have a more interesting time doing so.
