Here Hannah Field from Arise Ministries shares some ideas from her organisation as to how you can gain some experience of working with children as a way of helping you to discover if teaching is for you.

Getting a Taster

If you want to know if you like Brussel Sprouts, then the best thing to do is to taste them . . . !

The same can be said for those considering a career in teaching. Experiencing what it is like to be in a school environment and to work as a teacher, not only looks good on your C.V. and Personal Statement, it will also provide a good point of reference in your decision making.

There are many ways in which you can get a taste of what it is like to teach:

Within a school-based setting:

• Visit local schools in your area and offer your time - for example as a volunteer classroom support. This could be regularly, for example one day a week, or for a block placement e.g. a week in June.
• If help is required, offer to go on a residential / activity week as a volunteer support worker.
• Speak with people you know who work in schools either as teachers or teaching assistants etc. - if possible see if you can go into school with them so as to support and observe.
• Offer to help with the running of an extra-curricular club.

Within a church-based setting:

• Help with the running of the children's / youth work e.g. through the Sunday School, Girls'/Boys' Brigade Groups, ALF Clubs etc).
• Offer to take some ‘all-age' worship services.
• Attend any relevant children's / youth work training that is made available.
• Be involved in the running of a holiday club / church mission.
• Volunteer to be on a children's team at various Christian outreach events.

Event Volunteering

Arise Ministries are regularly involved in a range of events for children, from day events to weekend and even week long activities. These are great fun to join the team on, as not only will you get a taster of what it is like to work with children, but you will also have the chance to positively impact many children's lives, as they discover more about who Jesus is and what it means to follow him!

To find out more about joining the team and volunteering for an event(s) please feel free to contact us here at Arise on 01235 510426, and / or info@ariseministries.org.uk. We can certainly guarantee plenty of action, fun, great experiences and great memories - that could even help you to see if teaching is for you.

We are currently looking for team members to join us at Leading Edge (the Baptist Union of Great Britain's Annual Bible Holiday Week), which is happening in Warwick from the 10^th - 17^th August ‘08. There are many opportunities for people to work with: 0-2.5 yrs, 2.5-5 yrs, 5-7 yrs and 8-10 yrs. All volunteers come for free and have lunch provided - now there's an incentive . . . !! Contact Arise to find out more.