One moment can make a difference – giving back through volunteering

Returning to work as a parent of four, Bianca was already navigating change when she discovered volunteering – and a chance to give back in a way she’d never experienced growing up. Now, stepping into classrooms and connecting with pupils, she tells us how she finds meaning in the smallest moments, knowing that even one interaction can stay with a child long after the day ends.

Bianca, Assistant to Business Management, Operations and Marketing at Capital Group and Teach First volunteer.

Growing up, my mum worked in admin, so I used to love going to her office and using the stapler and highlighters and I thought I’d love to do that too. I started off as a receptionist, went into office management and then ventured into the executive assistant and administrational roles.

I also co-lead two communities at Capital Group. One is the Working Parents Community and the other is the Mental Wealth Community. Within those spaces, I host events, build the leadership team, drive growth and development initiatives.

I've now been working at Capital Group for just over three years. I returned to work in 2023 after being home for a few years with, at the time, four under fours. They are now four under eights.

Venturing into volunteering

Coming into Capital Group was a massive step for me, given I didn't know what work would be like as a working parent. One of the monumental turning points for me in that moment of transition was coming across Teach First. I've never worked at a company that has communities, that has outreach programmes, that has the opportunity for you to volunteer.

When I was going through school, it was challenging to navigate. I sat in between different peers, different types of children. I found education and relationship building with teachers a challenge.

When I saw the opportunity to connect with Teach First, it was a no brainer. It was an opportunity for me to give back, a chance for the next generation to receive what I never had growing up.

When I first joined Capital Group, a school visited the office, and there was an app making challenge which I raised my hand to be involved in. I remember thinking, how do you explain what an app challenge is? I created a slide deck, and it's still used three years later.

The ‘pitch your app’ slide Bianca created for her first school challenge – still in use three years later.

You get to a point in your life where you think, how do you give back? In what way? And how can it be impactful? And with my experience of never having that, to now be that contributor... I had the opportunity for growth and self-development, but ultimately to be able to give back.

Teach First give those amazing opportunities and it felt really fulfilling for me. That was my first experience, and it hasn't been my last!

Visiting schools

I'm a bag of nerves before I go to the school. When they come here, it's not too bad. I'm in my environment. But when I'm presenting in those challenging moments, I think, how can I stay connected? How can I stay relevant? How can I reach them?

Once I get one question, or one pupil participating, all those nervous disappear and it makes it worthwhile.

I've had moments where the session’s finished and the children are asking more questions afterwards. It's always nice to know that they were engaged and really want to get something out of it.

Making connections

One of the most enjoyable volunteering opportunities I’ve taken part in was a school visit to our office where we roleplayed examples of how to interview. And, surprisingly, I got most of them to laugh. I acted out having an attitude, leaning against the wall with my head down, disengaged and not really answering the interview questions. And they knew what I was getting at.

If you have that one moment with a child where you're able to share something, just a nugget, that's going to be your golden coin. Because it will show up in moments when you need it and you didn't even realise you had it.

For me, the enjoyment comes from being able to connect with the children – a laugh, a smile or a question. Because it's so hard to reach our children and there's so much in the world that they have to contend with. And the way their minds work now, it processes a lot different given the tech world that we're in. They may not remember everything you said that day, but if you have one moment... It could be anything, but you want them to walk away with one thing.

Building a future together

The least new volunteers will walk away with is the satisfaction that they did something great. It will be only positive: even if I don't do it again, I'm glad I did that. Or: did you realise the impact? Did you see their expression? Did you hear that feedback?

The fact that Teach First offers opportunities to children and schools to work alongside companies is great, because it didn't happen when I was in school and there should be more examples of this. It's important for work environments to get a sense of where our children are at and what they need.

Companies like Capital Group continue to bridge that gap and have that connection, showing that, while we are a finance firm, there are other aspects of the company that you could embed yourself into. And, if you’re looking to make steps into work and you're not going into further education, we can help children along that route.

To invest in our future, we must invest in our present, so we can all continue to build together.

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