Life at JLR blog
WHY AMELIA GIVES HER TIME AND WHAT SHE’S LEARNT ALONG THE WAY
What started as a way to give back has become a meaningful part of Amelia’s life. Helping her grow, connect and make a difference in ways she never expected.
What is your job and how long have you been at JLR?
Hi there! My job role within JLR is a Senior Planner for our Future Range Rover Programmes. I’ve been here 3 and a 1/2 years now, its flown by!
What inspired you to start volunteering?
I started volunteering through JLR because my old company rarely offered up anything like that and for me the thought of inspiring, making an impact and supporting our local communities and next generations feeds into my need to help and care for people.
How does JLR support volunteering?
JLR supports its staff with 16hrs volunteering in whichever way you want from school outreach to charity challenges (3 peaks for example).
What does it involve?
From my perspective I’ve really leant into the school outreach volunteering. Through our REACH network (employee diversity and inclusion network) we have a REACH-OUT incentive whereby we attend under privileged schools that may lack that role model in their life to establish what career paths are on offer at JLR and how we got there. I started off as a volunteer and moved into running the incentive with an incredible partnerships squad! If we touch one child that’s enough for me.
What moment stands out the most?
I attended an all-girls school in inner city Birmingham. I was greeted with disengaged students. I leant into the fact I had no idea at that age what I wanted to do but the skills I had could get me here. The girls bonded with me over not being the top academically, enjoyed my handbag and shoes and one girl said to me "I’ve been told by my dad I’ll be a cook and a mum so why do I need this?" I told her she can do what she wants to do and doesn't need to follow the same paths, stand out and be bold. She smiled and said, "She wants to be like me and be a boss!" That for me is MY reason!
Advice to someone who wants to start volunteering.
ALWAYS SAY YES to the opportunities. We at JLR have the ability to shape and change people’s lives so why not give it a go, you literally have nothing to lose but so much to gain.