Who I am and what I studied

I am Bukola Olafenwa, an English and Literature MA graduate from the University of Westminster and the university’s Student Volunteer of the Year 2023. Passionate about education, I am dedicated to helping young learners succeed. Through tutoring, mentoring and classroom support, I work closely with pupils to build their confidence, unlock their potential and inspire a love for learning.

Where and why I decided to volunteer

During my one-year master’s programme in the 2022/2023 academic year, I volunteered as an English Tutor with education charity Action Tutoring, supporting Year Five and Six pupils in five primary schools around London, including Islington, Stanhope Street, Southwark, and Tottenham. Through both in-school and online sessions, I helped pupils improve their English skills and, notably, their self-confidence. I chose to volunteer because I wanted to stay purposefully engaged while studying full-time. More importantly, I saw it as an opportunity to make a significant difference in children’s educational outcomes.

The moment it all clicked

My first tutoring session, in the autumn term 2022, was a defining moment. My connection with my pupils was instant and genuine. In the session, I realised my passion for working with children. Subsequently, whether working one-on-one or with small groups, I felt phenomenal feelings of fulfilment as I guided pupils to develop confidence and proficiency in reading. What started as a volunteer role rapidly grew into a profound mission.

Through safeguarding, child protection and pupil motivation training, I gained a deeper understanding of how to support young learners while ensuring their safety and well-being. Gradually, I learned vital collaborative, communicative, empathetic, innovative, motivational, patient and resilient skills. These skills became invaluable when working with a disengaged pupil who struggled with self-esteem. With consistent encouragement and positive reinforcement, their enthusiasm for learning increased tremendously. By our last session, the pupil looked up at me and said, “Bukola, you are my favourite tutor.” That encounter reaffirmed my trust in the transformative power of education.

Winning the Student Volunteer of the Year Award 2023 was the ultimate validation of my efforts. It was more than just an honour; it increased my confidence, raised my professional reputation and opened new possibilities. It established me as a role model and laid the foundation for my breakthrough, a paid career as an Academic Mentor upon graduation.

Current job and the empowering role of volunteering

Presently, I am a Teaching Assistant in a primary school in East London, having transitioned from my previous role as an Academic Mentor, which the skills, experience, and confidence I acquired while volunteering prepared me for. I have achieved excellent support performance in both roles in the same school largely because volunteering has enabled me to take on greater professional challenges. Volunteering provided me with more than just tutoring experience – it was a stepping stone toward becoming a wonderful team player capable of effectively engaging with children and assisting them to achieve exceptional academic results. Volunteering introduced me to working with and adapting lesson plans successfully. It taught me communicative, instructional, and motivational strategies for assisting students in managing their behaviour and emotional well-being, overcoming barriers to learning, and making overall educational success. Without these critical lessons, I would have no professional foundation on which to build to help pupils meet and/or surpass learning expectations in my past and current roles as an Academic Mentor and Teaching Assistant.

Final thoughts: the power of volunteering

If I have learnt anything, it is that volunteering can transform lives—not just for the people we assist, but also for ourselves. My inspiring journey from an award-winning volunteer tutor to Teaching Assistant remarkably demonstrates how giving back can lead to unexpected opportunities. Volunteering can help you clarify your purpose, define your career, earn amazing recognition and, most significantly, make a lasting difference in the lives of others.

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Thank you to Bukola for sharing her inspiring experiences with us! If you too have done volunteering during this academic year, fill out this form and get recognised for your efforts or be in a chance of winning Student Volunteer of the Year!

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