Supporting a Local School Through The ODS Volunteering Bank

Summary:

Gemma, a Customer Support Team Lead at ODS, utilised the ODS Volunteering Bank to assist as a chaperone for her daughter’s school trip to London. By dedicating a full day to the event, she played a key role in ensuring the trip to the theatre ran smoothly for 29 children, making a meaningful contribution to the school and local community.

Challenge:

Balancing work and family commitments often made it challenging for Gemma to participate in her daughter’s school activities. She initially didn’t know about the ODS Volunteering Bank, which offers paid hours for staff to contribute to community initiatives, but discovering it gave her the opportunity to get involved and make a difference.

Solution:

After discovering the ODS Volunteering Bank, Gemma applied for the necessary hours to support her daughter’s school. She volunteered as a chaperone on a theatre trip to London, handling tasks such as health and safety preparations, managing travel sickness, and keeping the children safe and entertained throughout the day.

Gemma found the experience both rewarding and impactful. It allowed her to connect with the school community, support her daughter, and develop a deeper appreciation for the importance of volunteers for school activities. Her efforts were highly valued, and she has already been invited to help with future school trips.

Feedback:

"I didn’t think I could help out while working, but the ODS Volunteering Bank changed that. Being responsible for so many children was challenging, but seeing their excitement and knowing I made a difference made it all worth it!"

Gemma - Customer Support Team Lead