Testimonials

We are in the process of updating our testimonials page. We have gathered testimonials from young people, volunteers, parents, community organisation groups, schools and children services in Newcastle upon Tyne. We are currently implimenting them into the website. They will go live by the end of next week. Until then please see a few testimonies below.

“I am in my 4th year studying Mathematics and Statistics at Newcastle University and I am currently applying for jobs for after graduation. I have volunteered for Success 4 All for the past few months, and I have definitely found it an enjoyable and worth while experience. I have been volunteering at Walker Technology College, as a tutor, and I was also involved with the summer school in August. Although I am not looking to go in to teaching right now, it has been a great way to figure out whether it is a suitable profession for me, and as a result, it is something I would possibly want to do later in life. At the moment I am in the process of applying for jobs, and an experience such as this is a great help when completing the competency based application questions. From volunteering, I have developed my communication and team working skills, and faced challenges different to those in my degree course, which are things employers will be looking for, as well as having a fun and interesting experience to talk about at interviews." - Laura Joy

“My experience with the support group have confirmed and indeed, reinforced my ambition to teach and work with young people” - Dale Goody

“I…enjoyed telling them about university life and the advantages of different universities and how you can pick a place and course to suit you, which seemed to reassure many pupils who were worried that university wasn’t for ‘people like them’” - Liz Donnell

“Seeing how quickly the pupil’s progress with your help and how keen they are to study. Sometimes working with children can feel like a waste of time, because they don’t want to be there, but most of the pupils at Success4all genuinely want to be there and it shows, which makes it a lot more enjoyable for me, as a tutor.
I think the training day was adequate. I haven’t come across any problems that I wasn’t prepared for and Caroline is always there for advice” - James Gallagher

“The study groups are a great way to help young people who, perhaps through no fault of their own, are struggling to get to grips with the requirements of the national curriculum…at a time that is of crucial importance to their futures… I strongly believe that these groups are an invaluable resource for the students, particularly those who do not have English as a first language” - Jamie

"I am completely indebted to the work of Success 4 All, and can honestly say that I would not be where I am with my career had I not volunteered.
Success 4 All was an excellent opportunity for me to get some enjoyable and rewarding experience of working with young people. Not only did I get to help with the study group in Benwell and the homework club at Walker Technology College, I was lucky enough to be offered the opportunity to provide in-class support in GCSE Careers and GCSE English. Seeing the operation of classes in this way was fascinating, as was the week I spent shadowing different classes within Walker Technology College; organised by the English teacher I assisted.
In 2010, I graduated from English Literature and Creative Writing at Northumbria University, and quickly found a graduate position as a Youth Adviser for Connexions Direct. During the intensive interview process, the experience I gained as a volunteer with Success 4 All was incredibly beneficial – providing a point of reference for my work with young people. The experience I had has been invaluable in the day to day work at Connexions Direct, it has helped me to understand the behaviour and needs of young people; something which is all too easy to forget once you have left the school education system yourself.
Since gaining my job with Connexions Direct, I have gone on to secure a job as a trainee Project Manager for a publishing services company, where I manage the production of academic titles, and in part educational titles also. Being able to cite a working knowledge of the education system was incredibly useful for me during interview, and discussing my use of the ESOL packs and the factors which made them successful supported this, and related directly to the position I was applying for.
Alongside Success 4 All I gained a First in my degree, and did a great number of other voluntary projects in publishing, the arts, and adult education, but without the year spent as a volunteer with the project I simply would not have been able to achieve the career I have done." - Amy Ekins

On Learning Hubs:

 “It’s a great place to do homework”

 “I’m improving in school”

 “The students are very helpful and friendly”

 “It helps to work with someone for revision”

“They make us understand more”

On the language clubs:

 “I liked to learn the way they speak”

“I liked the Chinese Christmas song the most”

“I liked all the volunteers, they were great”

On the summer schools:

"I like the summer school because i like the pictures and the creative things bet to make it better I wanted little bit more picture : ) It was mint!"

"It was the best time I have ever had. I think we should play lots more games and learn more things."

"Make summer school more than one week!"

"Aunty caroline you did a great job organising Kids Kabin 2008 well done. "

"Very very well organised. I think that maybe we could have more of a variety of activities in the afternoon."

" I liked it nothing could make it better."

"I liked the summer school and I want to come back I hope I can come next year!”

It gives them one-to-one support they would not get in school;

It helped my child who missed school for a while.

The study support is given by students, who are excellent in their subject of study and who are very good at encouraging our children;

Lewis loved the French Club; he found it fun and couldn’t wait to go! He wanted to learn about animals and vehicles and they taught him the words.
The students take their time & make it really enjoyable for the children and parents! Mum & Lewis

I am writing this letter to thank you for all the support you and your team of volunteers gave the West Gate Community College post 16 Access Group last academic year. The feedback I received from the post 16 students, who attended twice weekly after school, was excellent.

When I visited the group it was good to see each student receiving one to one support focusing on the individuals own coursework and examination revision as each student on the Access Course follows a different individual learning plan.

I believe that the Study Support group has been invaluable in helping the EAL Access students achieve the grades they needed to move into further education.

Once again thank you for all your and support in helping the West Gate Community College students achieve their goals.

M Cottee
Learning Skills Coordinator

Thank you for your efforts last week in supporting the JAR inspection. The inspector I brought into the study support session was incredibly impressed with the programme and used the words “outstanding” and “innovative” to describe what she saw.
The programme offers excellent support in meeting the needs of youngsters with EAL and the combination of support from Aim Higher students, 6th Formers and Y10 & Y11 students is also a great strength where everyone benefits from participating. It is very pleasing to be able to offer volunteers training and accreditation for their participation in this professionally run programme. I look forward to being able to increase the numbers of volunteers trained from within the college to extend the type and range of support on offer.
Don Burbeck
Deputy Head
Walker Technology College