Retirees are being sought to go back to school as volunteers.
EdConnect Australia, a charity connecting volunteers with primary and secondary school students, said there was a desperate need in the Hobsons Bay area.
General manager Lisa Kingman is putting a call out for seniors in the lead up to National Volunteer Week from May 8-14.
She said the program benefited students, took the pressure off teachers and improved the wellbeing of older residents.
“It’s really a simple concept that harnesses all the wisdom, time and skill of retirees and directs it at young people who may otherwise fall through the cracks,” Ms Kingman said.
“We’ve been in Hobsons Bay for eight years but we have never had so many requests for support from schools until now. We currently have 25 people helping in eight schools but that is barely touching the sides. Schools tell us they love the regular attendance of retirees, their great attitude and the fact that many of the kids don’t have a grandparent or trusted older person in their life.”
Seaholme’s David Cudmore started volunteering in the math classroom after he retired from automotive management nine months ago.
“It’s about mentoring the students with respect to teaching them the value of maths for later in life,” he said. “It’s extremely rewarding.
Volunteers are needed for two hours a week in areas such as numeracy, literacy, science, kitchen-garden programs and language.
The program is supported by Hobsons Bay council, Gandel Philanthropy and The William Buckland Foundation.
Details: edconnectaustralia.org.au or call 1800 668 550.
