“Tutoring makes such an impact, and it’s really fun” – Lottie’s volunteering journey with The Access Project
Lottie joined The Access Project in 2021.
She took up volunteer tutoring as a way to give back to a good cause. Lottie started out volunteer tutoring for one hour per week, fitting her sessions around her studies at the University of Bath.
Three years later, she’s still volunteering with us – and studying for a master’s degree in genetics at Imperial College London.
Lottie told us: “I wanted to join The Access Project as a way to give back a little bit. The good thing about volunteer tutoring is I actually get to use my brain and talk to people and engage. It’s both stimulating and a good way to give back”.
Since joining The Access Project, Lottie has worked with three students to help them improve their biology and chemistry GCSE grades. As a tutor, she helps under-resourced young people overcome educational hurdles and challenges.
Lottie told us about a challenge at her tutees’ school that left students struggling to keep up with their learning.
She explained: “My students’ curriculum changed mid-way through the year, so there was a big knowledge gap. The school day extended for all students, which was difficult for them to keep up with. A whole year group had to deal with the consequences of something completely out of their control”.
But Lottie’s students overcame.
“At the end of every year my students say they have improved their confidence and they’ve really enjoyed their subjects”, Lottie told us. “A few of them have decided to take on biology at A level. It feels really special that I’ve managed to convey my enthusiasm for the subject to someone else”.
Through volunteering, Lottie has also developed her own skills.
“It’s made me better at communicating concepts at a range of levels”, Lottie explained.
“It’s improved my own confidence as well. It’s easier for me to do presentations and summarise concepts, which I need to do a lot of for my degree”.
She hopes to take volunteering forward through her studies and into her professional life, where she hopes to work in clinical research and gene therapy.
Lottie added: “I can do it from anywhere even when I’m away. The technology and the platform is easy to use”.
“Once it’s part of your routine, it’s really easy. Tutoring makes such an impact, and it’s fun as well”.
The Access Project helps young people from under-resourced backgrounds achieve their academic potential and place at top universities. By donating to our programme or volunteering with us, you’re helping the country’s most under-resourced young people find their way to a brighter future.