JOIN OUR TEAM OF PREM AWARE AMBASSADORS
Would you like to make a difference to the lives of children born prematurely?
Here’s your chance!
Apply to become a Prem Aware Ambassador, join our growing team of volunteers, and help spread the word about how nurseries and schools can take a few simple steps to better support prematurely born children on their educational journey.
We are thrilled to be expanding our team of dedicated volunteers! We’d particularly love to hear from you if you live in Wales, Scotland, the North East, South East, London, or the West Midlands.
What is the Prem Aware Award?
The Smallest Things Prem Aware Award Scheme raises awareness of the impact of prematurity on development and learning, supports parents and carers, and helps schools to recognise and meet the specific learning needs that some children born prematurely may have.
What does an Ambassador do?
Our volunteer Ambassadors are The Smallest Things’ local champions for the Prem Aware Award. Your role is to highlight the scheme and to raise awareness of the needs that some children born prematurely may have to schools and early years setting in your region.
This could involve:
Contacting nurseries, schools, academies or local education authorities in your area by email, phone or letter in the first instance
Following up with some information and materials about the scheme (we’d arm you with a suite of resources) and answering any questions.
Arranging a meeting or presentation with the school or setting
Keeping in contact with them regularly to track progress
Delivering presentations to local school networks
Helping us to present them with the Award, either digitally or in person, and celebrating in local and social media!
To carry out this role, you’ll need to be fully briefed on The Smallest Things Prem Aware Award, have completed the free online training, developed by Professor Samantha Johnson and the PRISM (Premature Infants’ Skills in Mathematics) Study team yourself, and understand the origins of the evidence on which it is based.
“As a school, we are driven to ensure that every child achieves their best possible outcomes. The training was incredibly interesting and has broadened our understanding of the impacts of a pre-term birth. We are a close-knit community and our increased awareness aorund pre-term births will allow us to provide an extra layer of support for our families.”
How do I apply?
Email us to register your interest and we’ll send you an application form.
Closing date 10th November.
Sucessful applicants will be invited for an informal call with the team.
Do I need to be a teacher or a parent of a prematurely born child?
No. We are looking for people with a passion for making a difference to the lives of children born prematurely and their families. You don’t need any specific qualifications or experience.
Will I be supported?
Of course! New ambassadors receive a welcome pack, including a handbook outlining their responsibilities in more detail and a presentation you can use when meeting any new schools or organisations.
We’re here to support you and there’s a dedicated email address you can contact us on at any time.
We have an active and supportive Ambassador WhatsApp group you can join. We ask our ambassadors to keep us updated with any conversations or meetings you’re having - we love to hear what our Ambassadors have been up to!
