“Supporting children and young people in Derby means I’m helping to protect the future talent in the city and building links between students and business. I want to be a positive role model and build confidence that the students can do whatever they choose.”
- Name: Andrew Deighton
- Job title: Director
- Organisation: AWD Development Solutions Ltd.
When did you sign up as a volunteer, and why did you decide to start volunteering?
I signed up in 2014 – as soon as I set up my business. I decided to volunteer because:
- I used to run the early career team at Rolls-Royce (which included education outreach activity) so I saw it as valuable to schools and businesses
- I wanted to give something back
- I’ve got three children of my own (who have all now left school) but I hope they got similar help and opportunities
- I don’t think there’s enough time spent on careers and starting up your own business
What does supporting children and young people in Derby mean to you?
Supporting children and young people in Derby means I’m helping to protect the future talent in the city and building links between students and business. I want to be a positive role model and build confidence that the students can do whatever they choose.
What career-related learning activities have you participated in so far?
I’ve participated in a wide-range of career-related learning including ‘A day in the life’, ‘What’s my line’ and talks in assemblies about what it is like to run your own business.
I’ve enjoyed them all as it’s different each time.
How do you feel you have benefitted from your volunteering experience so far?
Some ways I’ve benefitted are:
- Increased self confidence in uncomfortable environments
- Learning to tell my story in an engaging way
- Simplifying my presentations to suit my audience
- Feeling useful and positive and that I’ve given some benefit
What kind of impact do you think you have had on the young people you have met in Derby?
- Increased their confidence
- Helped them to realise the wider choices they have
- Helped them to think about transferable skills
What’s your favourite thing about volunteering through our programmes?
It’s made me think differently about my explanations and the need to keep things simple. We take a lot of what we do for granted and use jargon that overcomplicates things.
What would you say to those thinking of joining our volunteer community? Do you have any tips/ advice?
- Do it!
- Listen to the teachers and take their advice
- Let the teachers manage the students
- Watch and learn from what the teachers do and how they do it
- Keep things simple
- Use your own personal stories and examples – they’re far more powerful
Become a volunteer and share your story with children in Derby