Marianne is an Accountant with Shared Services Finance.
"I’ve been a Number Partner at Sydenham Primary School in Warwick for around three years and volunteering with SOGB in Sutton Coldfield for just over one year.
I wanted to help people by using some of the skills I have gained and had looked at volunteering near home, but it just seemed a better solution to do it through work, as National Grid was supporting the schemes. I enjoy working with people and wanted to volunteer in a role where I felt I could make a difference, so working with children with reading and number work was ideal.
"It’s been great to see the improvement in the children’s mental arithmetic by using simple games. It brings enjoyment to their work by playing and they’re learning without realising! With SOGB it is great to see such enthusiasm to try and achieve from people with learning difficulties – it’s a very humbling experience.
"I have learned to work in a different environment from the National Grid office with people of all walks of life. I have been able to influence their learning and understanding and it has given me the confidence to try new things and get out of my comfort zone!
"Volunteering is a thoroughly enjoyable and uplifting experience. It takes dedication and sometimes hard work but if you are prepared for this it is a great experience."