Steven Hodgetts, City Year Birmingham, 2014-15

I joined City Year Birmingham on the recommendation of my cousin, who was a member of the founding City Year Birmingham corps in 2013-2014. He knew it would help me personally as well as helping others, and the experience was eye-opening to say the very least.

At school I supported ‘focus-list’ children and helped in morning breakfast clubs and after-school clubs. I was in charge of rugby club, superhero club and guitar club, which reflect huge passions of mine. One child I was assigned to work with was awarded a 100% attendance certificate and noted for his excellent focus in class and standard of work.

Another student, who was from Romania, was unable to communicate fully in his own language when I met him, let alone in English. Within three weeks of working with the child daily I had taught him colours, the alphabet and how to write and say basic words. Soon the child progressed to the point where he was able to join the full class for all lessons.

City Year is a family and I felt very comfortable with my team. I used the Friday training sessions and team times to reflect and learn from others’ experiences, to enrich my future, and to have a great laugh with everyone.

After my year as a corps member, I began working at my old senior school and college as a Graduate Coach with the P.E. Faculty as a mentor for interventions and as a PE Teacher.