When people talk about building a stronger community, they often think about big things like funding, policies and major programmes.
But sometimes, the real work happens quietly. One hour a week. One student. One conversation at a time.
For Riley Jackson, an academic support volunteer with the Family Centre’s Youth Leadership Academy, giving back started with a simple decision.
“I had just moved back to the island after graduating from De Montfort University in the UK, and I wanted to find a way to reconnect with the community,” she said. “After looking online, I came across the YLA, and it just felt like the right fit.”
The YLA is a long-term, trauma-informed programme that supports young people from middle school through high school. It focuses on mentorship, academic support and helping students navigate challenges both inside and outside the classroom.
For Ms Jackson, the connection was personal from the start.
“In school, I had to make a real effort when it came to studying,” she explained. “I didn’t always find things easy. I had a tutor, and I leaned on my teachers for extra support.”
Now, she finds herself on the other side of that experience.
“I’ve learned so many different ways to study and figure out what works,” she said. “So, the idea of helping someone else who might be going through the same thing just made sense.”
Even the subject she now tutors, biology, wasn’t always her strongest. “It was actually a hard class for me in school,” she admitted. “So, I understand the struggle.”
Volunteering might sound straightforward, but Ms Jackson is quick to point out that it requires commitment.
“Before each lesson, I review that week’s topic in the syllabus and find teaching material to match,” she said. “We’ve found that worksheets work well, so we usually end with a few of those.”
Each session is one-on-one, once a week. But it’s not just about jumping straight into academics.
“We always start by catching up,” she explained. “Just taking a moment to decompress from the day helps us both get into the right space to learn.”
Balancing volunteering with work and personal life isn’t always easy for Ms Jackson, who works in underwriting at CG Insurance’s Personal Lines Department.
“There are weeks when we can’t meet because of other commitments,” she said. “And for me, I can’t just show up and teach. I have to relearn the topic and find the right resources. That process takes time.”
Still, she makes it work.
Ask Ms Jackson what keeps her going, and her answer is simple.
“The most rewarding thing is when my student gets it,” she said. “When she can apply what we’ve gone through or explain it back to me: that’s the best part.”
Sometimes, the learning goes both ways. “There are times when my student will even correct me if I slip up,” she added.
But it’s not just about grades. “Seeing her confidence grow is a big thing,” she said. “That’s what really stands out.”
There are also moments when the focus shifts entirely. “I remember one day she had a really tough time at school and didn’t want to study,” Ms Jackson recalled. “So, we decided it wasn’t a learning day. We just talked.” That flexibility is important, she said. “You have to balance mental health with academics. Sometimes, just being there to listen is enough.”
Through her work with YLA, Ms Jackson has gained a new perspective on the education system.
“It’s been eye-opening,” said the Warwick Academy alumna. “Coming from a private school background, my experience was different.”
What she sees now is a gap, and a need.
“There are so many students who want to learn and improve, but they don’t always have the support,” she explained. “Programmes like the YLA are doing an amazing job of helping to bridge that gap.”
