I work in the Centralised Audit Services Team (CAST) within Digital Audit and have been with Grant Thornton since 2015. I started as an administrator in the Bank Confirmations team and progressed through various roles, spending most of my time as a team leader, before becoming a Business Improvement Analyst in 2024.
Volunteering is something that really matters to me – especially when it involves helping young people. I’m familiar with the challenges young people can face, as I was raised in a single-parent family where my mum was unable to work due to ill health. This left me a step behind in understanding payslips and preparing for job interviews; experiences I had to navigate on my own since no one in my immediate circle had been through that process.
I was so pleased when I learned about the firm’s volunteering programme to support young people in similar situations. Launched in 2024, the firm’s Head Start volunteering programme helps Year 10 or Secondary 4 school students build confidence and learn important skills for bridging education and work. The programme, delivered by our volunteers, takes place over four sessions during a one-day workshop, focused on broadening horizons, completing job applications, establishing a personal brand in the workplace, and navigating personal finances.
My people manager Colin McMahon, who is in the Sustainability Leadership Group, was keen to provide volunteering opportunities to schools in Northern Ireland. While I was setting my goals for the year ahead, I was tasked with implementing our Head Start programme in the region as a relationship manager, focusing on building a strong relationship with chosen schools.
Aligning with the firm’s goal to improve social mobility, I identified schools that would benefit most from our sessions. I researched free school meal statistics in Northern Ireland to compile a list of schools with a high percentage of students eligible for free meals, ensuring they aligned with the Head Start criteria. When I attended an open evening at one of these schools, I connected with the Head of Business, which led to our very first Head Start workshop.
Volunteering is something that really matters to me – especially when it involves helping young people.
We had so much great engagement from students during the workshop. I was struck by the depth of their questions, especially during the ‘personal finances and budgeting’ session, as many students already had part-time jobs but were confused about holiday pay, tax codes, and contract types. There was also a keen interest in how they could use AI for CV writing and interview preparation, to which I encouraged the students to find a balance between the efficiency of using these tools and maintaining their personal authenticity.
We’re scheduled to deliver the programme in two more schools this year. I’m excited to have even more thought-provoking conversations with students across the region and help more young people gain the skills they need to succeed in their future careers.
On the day of the workshop, I felt nervous about delivering the content. But what surprised me most was how quickly the nerves faded when I got started – and that I enjoyed the experience! Knowing that I needed to hold the students’ attention and deliver the content clearly and concisely helped me develop my public speaking skills, which was a great unexpected benefit.
Participating in a volunteering programme for the first time can be challenging, as it means stepping outside of your comfort zone – but it’s a truly unmissable experience. To help my colleagues feel more confident about volunteering, I’m offering my time for any support or coaching so they feel ready to take the next step. There are numerous opportunities to contribute, not just through Head Start but in various other initiatives, both online and in-person – so there’s something to suit everyone. Taking part in a programme that empowers young people to reach their full potential is one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done, and I would love to support more team members to do the same!