Becoming a schools volunteer

Westminster schools volunteer Melanie (second from left) with other volunteers on a recent schools volunteer training day [CAFOD Westminster]

Melanie Cunningham's next step after a long career at Marks and Spencer was becoming a CAFOD schools volunteer. Two years on, she relishes her important role and encourages others to take the same path

Having just walked away from a long career at Marks and Spencer I was wondering what I was going to do next… so the appeal in the parish newsletter for a schools volunteer working for CAFOD caught my eye.

But apart from my own children I had experience of neither children nor teaching.

"Don’t worry," said Tony (CAFOD Westminster diocesan manager). "We’ll train you, you can start off shadowing an old hand and, no, you don’t have to stand up in front of an assembly…"

So after a successful "interview" with Tony, I decided to give it a go.

Inspired and fully prepared

The next stop was three days of training at head office, which was brilliant. A cliché I know, but I met some great people, many of whom I have since worked with.

The training is led by an ex-head, and many on the course are teachers or ex-teachers. I left the course feeling inspired and fully prepared.

A couple of weeks later, I had a phone call after my first assembly (Tony is very persuasive!) saying that the children had got together - independently of the staff - to raise money for CAFOD. The cheque really was in the post.

"Good start," I thought.

Two years on from that day, I’m linked to half a dozen local schools and have visited many more, from Harlesden to Harrow.

Although the purpose of my role is education rather than fundraising, every school I’ve visited has taken part in fundraising, often at the request of the children.

It’s an important role. Our children are so privileged, and if I can encourage just one child to support CAFOD in the future then, as far as I’m concerned, that's job done!

Becoming a schools volunteer

CAFOD has always seen the education of young people in the area of global justice as an integral part of its work.

We look for school volunteers with good communication skills and who enjoy working with young people to expand their horizons towards a global society. Training is given.

CAFOD school volunteers visit primary or secondary schools in the diocese to tell the young people about CAFOD’s work.

They often give presentations in assemblies or work with smaller groups of pupils running engaging activities about social justice.

If you would like to become a schools volunteer or if you simply want more information, please get in touch by contacting your local diocesan office