It’s hard to believe the first term of this school year is already behind us. Classrooms are buzzing again, teachers and pupils have settled into new routines, and volunteers are back making a difference – one story, one number, one block of code at a time.

At Business in the Community Northern Ireland, we’re proud to see our Time to Read, Time 2 Count, and Time to Code programmes thriving once again. Across Northern Ireland, pupils are building confidence, strengthening key skills, and discovering just how far a little encouragement can go.

Last year, we were joined by more than 300 volunteers, supporting pupils in more than 150 schools. Their dedication changed lives – and this year, we’re already seeing that impact deepen. But as we move into the next part of the school year, one thing is clear: the need for support has never been greater.

Volunteer support matters now more than ever! It’s no secret that our education system is under real pressure. Funding challenges continue to stretch schools to their limits, making it harder to give pupils the small group or one-to-one attention they need to thrive.

This is where employer-supported volunteering makes all the difference. By giving staff the chance to spend just one hour each week supporting a local school, businesses are helping to bridge this gap – bringing consistency, care, and connection where it’s needed most.

When an employee steps into a school, they’re not just helping with reading, maths, or coding – they’re showing children that people in their community believe in them. And that belief can be life-changing.

The current reality is that child poverty in Northern Ireland remains both widespread and persistent. In 2023/24, 23% of children lived in relative poverty and 20% in absolute poverty (before housing costs) (NISRA). While in parts of Belfast, nearly a third (32.9%) of children are growing up in poverty (The Irish News), the effects go far beyond income:

• Children in deprived areas can expect to live 11–15 fewer years in good health than their better-off peers.
• By primary school, low-income pupils can already be up to a year behind in cognitive skills.
• By secondary school, those on free school meals are twice as likely to leave with no GCSEs (NI Assembly).
• Mental health is also deeply affected as children from low-income families are four times more likely to face mental health challenges by age 11 (NI Audit Office).

These statistics are stark, but they’re not the full story. Because every week, in classrooms across Northern Ireland, volunteers are helping to rewrite that story – child-by-child.

Our volunteers bring something no budget can buy – time, encouragement, and belief.

With just one hour a week, they offer:

• A friendly face outside of home or school life.
• A source of inspiration, showing how what pupils learn today connects to the wider world.
• Support in literacy, numeracy, or digital skills – helping children keep up, catch up, or get ahead.
• A boost in confidence and motivation that can change how a child sees themselves and their future.
• A sense of connection and community, showing that everyone has a part to play in helping others succeed.

It’s a small commitment that makes a lasting impact – not just for pupils, but for volunteers and the businesses that support them too.

None of this work would be possible without the generous support of programme funders, Allstate NI and A&O Shearman. Their commitment to education and community engagement helps us connect volunteers with schools across Northern Ireland – ensuring pupils gain the confidence, skills, and encouragement they need to thrive.

So, let’s keep the momentum going. As we move into the second term, we want to keep building on this strong start. That’s why we’re calling for:

• Volunteers – people willing to give one hour a week to make a difference in a local school.
• Businesses – organisations ready to support their staff to volunteer during work time or open their doors for a workplace visit

Together, we can continue connecting classrooms with communities – helping every child see the link between school and opportunity, learning and life.

A Final Thought

The first term has shown what’s possible when communities come together with purpose. But the months ahead hold even greater potential.

With more volunteers joining our programmes, we can ensure that no child feels left behind – and every child feels seen, supported, and inspired to succeed.

If you’d like to learn more about getting involved as a volunteer or business partner, please visit our website https://www.bitcni.org.uk/TimeToHub/or get in touch.

Let’s make the rest of this school year one to remember – for all the right reasons.

Sources

23% of children are living in relative poverty | Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency

Northern Ireland children are worse off than a decade ago as child poverty spikes – The Irish News

Child Poverty in Northern Ireland | Northern Ireland Audit Office

Report on Child Poverty in Northern Ireland

Cost of living: One-in-four children in NI ‘living in poverty’, says charity – BBC News

1 in 10 children in NI are impacted by the 2-child policy – NIAPN – Northern Ireland Anti-Poverty N…

Data on impact of 2-child limit – NIAPN – Northern Ireland Anti-Poverty Network

Parents in NI reveal their struggles with the cost of living, school, mental health and more – NIAP…

More than 1 in 5 children in NI in poverty – study