Civil Servants from across the country have been volunteering in schools with Inspiring the Future since its launch in 2012 . Over 8,500 people from diverse backgrounds have registered to give children and young people valuable insights into the wide array of career opportunities available within one of the UK’s largest and most influential employers. Volunteers come from all major government departments and arms-length bodies, doing a huge range of job roles and ranging in seniority from apprentices to Permanent Secretaries.
Here is one example which took place on 12th June 2024 during Social Mobility Week at Hillcrest Academy Primary School, Leeds. 18 volunteers from a variety of government departments across the country took part and talked with, and answered questions from, 120 Year 5 and 6 children.
The Civil Servants included Dame Bernadette Kelly, Permanent Secretary at the Department of Transport and government social mobility champion, and the British Ambassador to Iceland, Dr Bryony Mathew who took part virtually from Reykjavik.
This short video shows how engaged the children and volunteers were:
The Leeds event was mainly in-person but many are virtual meaning schools can easily access volunteers from across the whole country and volunteers can take part wherever they live or work. Here is one example of a virtual session featuring the Department for Education’s Permanent Secretary Susan Acland-Hood.
Following this session, Susan kindly wrote a blog encouraging Civil Servants to volunteer.
We want to take this opportunity to thank all the Civil Servants who have given their time to inspire the next generation and show them their background doesn’t need to determine their future.
Register today to volunteer to inspire young people and help them understand the opportunities available to them.
Volunteer from just an hour a year