Volunteer Experiences of a School-Based Volunteer Program

Area of Science:

• Educational Psychology
• Community Engagement
• Volunteerism Studies

Background:

• Volunteer activities are driven by intrinsic, extrinsic, and altruistic factors, positively impacting subjective wellbeing.
• School mentoring programs connect adult volunteers with students for academic and social support.
• Existing program evaluations often lack volunteer perspectives and comprehensive data.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the perspectives of EdConnect volunteers regarding their experiences in primary and secondary school mentoring programs.
• To identify the motivations, impacts, and challenges associated with adult volunteering in educational settings.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods evaluation framework was employed.
• Surveys were administered to 380 volunteers.
• Telephone interviews were conducted with 22 volunteers.

Main Results:

• Volunteers reported enhanced sense of community, mental wellbeing, physical health, and skill development.
• Key motivations included giving back to society and supporting student outcomes.
• Factors influencing the experience included roles, school support, and training.

Conclusions:

• Volunteers reported significant academic, social, emotional, and behavioral gains for students.
• Volunteers also experienced substantial personal benefits from their involvement.
• School-based mentoring programs effectively strengthen school-community partnerships, benefiting all stakeholders.