Social Support Policy

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The Origins and How It Works

The Club’s policy of Social Support is a vital part of our approach to Literacy Tuition. Its origins begin in the one-to-one relationship between Student and Volunteer. An evening session normally starts with an exchange of news, which would often be expanded upon during the mid-evening coffee break.

It is here that the concerns, problems or pressures on the Student can be aired. Sometimes the right response is counselling and advice from the Volunteer. In other cases, the Club’s Supervising Tutor is involved. If appropriate, the matter is referred to the Founding Organisers who can invoke and bring to bear a wide range of contacts and skills.

What Can Be Tackled, and How to Do It

The problems can be wide ranging and both great and small. They can be personal, work related, to do with accommodation, or be connected with the family. For us, the criterion for action is that the problem or issue is regarded as important by the Students themselves.

Club resources are slender, and in tackling a Student's problems our financial capacity for direct action is strictly limited. However, through our network of contacts, we are able to provide advice and counselling, invoke outside help, write letters and references, assist in the filling out of forms, act as representatives, attend case conferences and much more.

How it Works, Even When it Doesn't Work

Of course some problems are intractable, but even when solutions cannot be found, the Student gains from the psychological benefit and self respect of having others showing active interest and sympathy for their needs. Consequently, whatever form our actions take under our Social Support Policy, their direct impact on the Student is to assist them in their personal development and the personal maturing process which ensues.

Apart from the tangible benefits referred to above, the approach naturally enhances the Student's commitment to the Club, which often impacts favourably on the learning process.

Social Support Policy - Theory and Practice

Click on this link to go to the above leaflet which gives practical advice on the implementation of our Social Support Policy.