Frequently Asked Questions for Business Volunteers

BEFORE YOU COMMIT

What time commitment is involved?

You can choose your level of involvement:

• Morning session: 9am-12pm (includes careers panel + one workshop)
• Afternoon session: 1pm-4pm (workshop + mentoring)
• Full day: 9am-4pm (recommended for maximum impact)
• Networking event only: Thursday afternoon 2-4pm

Where are the events taking place?

We run multiple cohorts across Leicestershire and Lincolnshire:

• Uppingham (Arnold Wills & Co, Station Road)
• Market Harborough
• Melton Mowbray
• Lutterworth

All venues are easily accessible with parking available.

Do I need a DBS check?

No, as you’ll not be expected to be alone with a student at any point during the week.

I run my own business – can I really spare the time?

Absolutely. Many of our volunteers are sole traders or small business owners. The flexible timing means you can fit it around client work, and the networking opportunities often lead to valuable connections.

UNDERSTANDING THE PROGRAMME

Who are the students?

• Age: 14-15 years old (Year 10) OR Year 12 (16-17 year olds)
• Group size: 12 students per cohort
• Mixed abilities and backgrounds
• Self-selected (they’ve chosen to be there)
• Required to find work experience, but many struggle to find traditional placements

What’s the structure of the week?

• Monday: Welcome, team building, venue tour, initial activities
• Tuesday-Wednesday: Focused workshops and project work
• Thursday: Final presentations + networking event
• Each day: 9am-4pm with breaks

How are students grouped?

• Teams of 3-4 students
• Teams rotate throughout the week
• One business volunteer mentor per team
• Mix of independent work and guided activities

What if students are shy or reluctant?

Most start quiet but gain confidence quickly. We:

• Start with group presentations (safety in numbers)
• Build up to individual contributions
• Create a supportive environment
• Have experienced facilitators managing the room

YOUR ROLE AS A VOLUNTEER

What exactly will I be doing?

Career Panel ….think Question Time but without the politics! (45-50 mins)

• Brief introduction to your career journey
• Answer pre-prepared student questions
• Share the “crooked path” – the unexpected turns
• Make it real, not a CV recital

Workshop Facilitation (1 hour)

• Deliver a session based on YOUR expertise
• Include practical activities
• Work with 12 students or break into smaller groups
• Other volunteers support

Group Mentoring (throughout the day)

• Guide one team of 3-4 students through activities
• Answer questions, provide feedback
• Help them prepare presentations
• Share real-world insights

Networking Event (Thursday afternoon)

• Informal conversations with students
• Practice their networking skills in safe environment
• Make genuine connections

Do I need to prepare a formal presentation?

Not necessarily. Some volunteers bring slides, others prefer flipcharts or just conversation. We provide:

• Guidelines for your session
• Template if you want it
• Tech specs for the venue
• Flexibility to use your preferred style

What if I’m asked something I don’t know?

Perfect teaching moment! “I don’t know, but here’s how I’d find out” is incredibly valuable. Students need to see that professionals don’t know everything – they just know how to find answers.

Will I be alone with students?

No. There are always multiple volunteers present, plus you’re in a business setting with staff around. Safeguarding is built into the structure.

MAKING IT RELEVANT

How do I pitch content for 14-15 year olds?

Do:

• Use real examples from your work
• Keep sessions interactive
• Ask them questions
• Relate to their world (social media, brands they know)
• Be honest about challenges
• Keep language clear

Don’t:

• Assume they know business jargon
• Lecture for more than 10 minutes straight
• Sugarcoat everything – they can handle reality
• Talk down to them – they’re sharp
• Make it all theory – they need practical

What topics work well?

Based on previous years:

• How to present with confidence
• Understanding money in business
• Using LinkedIn effectively
• Interview techniques
• Team working (with practical exercises)
• Problem-solving approaches
• How different businesses actually make money
• Career paths that aren’t obvious

Can I focus on my niche?

Absolutely! Your specific expertise is valuable. A leather goods manufacturer, a financial coach, a social media specialist – all brilliant. Students need to see the variety of careers available.

ON THE DAY

What should I wear?

Business casual. You want to look professional but approachable. Definitely not a full suit unless that’s your normal working attire.

What’s provided?

• Tea/coffee throughout the day
• Access to kitchen facilities
• WiFi
• Screen/projector (check individual venue details)
• Whiteboard/flipchart
• Tables set up for group work

What should I bring?

• Your laptop (if presenting)
• Any materials downloaded (don’t rely on cloud access)
• Business cards (students love these!)
• Examples of your work if relevant
• Notepad for making notes on students (for references)

How formal should I be?

Be yourself. Students respond to authenticity. If you’re naturally quite formal, that’s fine. If you’re more casual, that works too. The key is being genuine.

What if I need to leave early?

Just let us know in advance. We’ll schedule your key sessions for when you’re available.

AFTER THE EVENT

How do I provide student references?

We’ll send you a simple template. Include:

• What they worked on
• Skills they demonstrated
• Specific examples of their contributions
• Your contact details (if you’re happy for them to reach out)

Students can use these for:

• College applications
• Job applications
• Apprenticeship interviews
• Building their CV

Can students contact me afterwards?

Entirely up to you. Many volunteers:

• Connect on LinkedIn (once students turn 16)
• Answer occasional questions by email
• Provide careers advice if asked
• Some even offer interview practice later

Set your own boundaries – we support whatever works for you.

Will I get feedback?

Yes! We gather feedback from students and share themes with all volunteers. Plus we have a debrief session where we celebrate wins and learn from challenges.

Can I volunteer again?

Please do! Many volunteers come back year after year. You’ll see the improvements we make based on feedback, and you’ll get better at working with this age group each time.

STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?

Email: nicola@bizhubworkexp.co.uk Phone: 07432 766001  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicola-moss/

Or just ask on our volunteer Zoom call – we schedule one about 3 weeks before each event where you can meet the team and ask anything.

WHAT VOLUNTEERS SAY

“I wasn’t sure I’d be any good at this, but seeing those kids grow in confidence over just one week was incredible. Already signed up for next year.”

“As someone from a disadvantaged background myself, being able to show these students that success is possible – that meant everything.”

“Best use of a day I’ve had in ages. The students asked questions I’d never thought about, and I learned as much as they did.”

“Thought I was doing them a favour. Turned out they did me one – reminded me why I love what I do.”

Ready to make a difference? Let’s talk about how your expertise can change young lives.