A look back at a great year for VES - 2024

We began the year doing online classes, resource centre, centrale, hotels.  At the beginning of January a typical week for us was 95 student sessions; enabled by 26 volunteer sessions; making an average weekly participation number of 121.

Through the year we then taught 537 groups; which enabled 4233 student sessions; which was powered by over 750 volunteer sessions given (well over 2500 volunteer hours); for a total participation number of 5424!

Our averages academic year 24/25 are 120 student sessions; enabled by 32 team sessions; which makes our weekly participation 160 (a 49% increase on the same time 12 months ago)

Our team feedback survey in October rated us out of 10 - 8.5 for Welcome; 8 for quality of education; 6.5 for signposting; and 8.7 for volunteer support.

Other key milestones in 2024:

• 2 mornings a week at Centrale

• Our first Welcoming Well conference.

• First student UCAS applications referenced and successful.

• More logistical support - logistics, house management, administration.  First INSET days.

• Curriculum development - worksheets + lesson plans.

• First creche provision.

• Some fantastic new team members!

• Largest VES event - over 100 people through the morning at the Christmas celebration.

• Significant grant funding.