Know a club, society, or student volunteer who's made a difference? Nominate them ❤️ for an award.

Lucy Bacon is a final-year English Language and Literature student and a Project Leader of Politeach, a Student-Led Volunteering Project. The Project seeks to raise political engagement and understanding among primary school children by making it accessible and fun. They do this by giving interactive workshops on basic political systems, and relating it to issues they care about, such as whether homework or mobile phones should be banned.

“I didn’t know anything about politics, but now I want to be Prime Minister!” - primary school pupil

Lucy started volunteering with Politeach because she'd always volunteered with children and enjoyed it. She also liked the format of the Politeach sessions, and their ability to engage children in something they knew nothing about previously. Lucy said that this Project has made her see that “the kids reflect what is discussed at home” and that if they come from families where politics is not regularly discussed or understood, they are less likely to develop into politically-engaged citizens later in life.

In a recent session, Lucy asked the class what Brexit is and nobody knew... one child eventually asked if it was a way of measuring temperature! Coming from a family and background where politics was discussed regularly, she was quite surprised and concerned, especially since a lot of decisions made today are going to affect these children in the future. Ever since she started volunteering with Politeach, she wanted to give the children the idea that politics is for them - no matter their background or interests. Because young people who vote in their first election are much more likely to keep voting throughout their life, it is important to engage children in politics from a young age.

“I’ve learnt that people should be united because that’s how we will get far in life!” - primary school pupil

 

Feedback from a primary school pupil

Lucy says she’s found volunteering really enjoyable, and that it gives her a sense of making an immediate difference to young people’s lives. Volunteering for Politeach has also solidified her career choice. Once she graduates, she will be joining TeachFirst, teaching primary school children, and says that her volunteering with Politeach has greatly contributed to that decision.

“Working with different schools, it became clear that working with kids was something I loved doing.” - Lucy


If Lucy's story has inspired you, you can find out more about Politeach on our Student-Led Projects Directory, or you can take a look at some other volunteering opportunities with children!