Emma volunteered to become president of Business and Management student society (BAM). Emma explained “this involved using the knowledge I had learnt from my course and implementing it within the society”. It also helped her secure a great work placement. “I think I stood out from other candidates applying.”

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Siobhan volunteers at Thera playgroup for children with additional needs twice a week. This links in well with her studies on the Childhood Studies (Early Years) course. “It has enabled me to put theory into practice. Working along side professionals has been useful in gaining advice and support with my assignments.”

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Alanna volunteered with Latin Link for 4 months in Argentina on her gap year. “It was the time of my life!” said Alanna who was the translator on a project building 3 classrooms for children and part of a church building. There were 12 of us. We had to live in extremely close quarters in half built buildings. We had to work as a team - that was the only way we'd get the job done – it taught me how one person can oversee a project, but one person alone cannot achieve it. It requires listening to each other and using everyone’s individual talents to achieve the best. I’m now doing a dance degree and even here I can apply what I learnt... how to listen to each other, how to work as a team, and strive for the best.

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Andy is a third year Adventure Education student and, as he lives quite locally, has been able to continue volunteering with his unit in the Nautical Training Corps throughout his degree. Despite all the hard work and having to juggle his time, Andy recognises that this experience has helped with his studies and vice versa. I can put into practice what I have learnt almost immediately. Not only has this helped me develop my own style of facilitation … but has given me ample chance to experiment with new teaching techniques and using risk assessments and other bits of paperwork – it has really helped my learning in these areas.

His commitment has obviously been appreciated. Over the past three years Andy has gone from organising unit events to regional ones. This year, I am a lead member of the team organising our National Camp. I was recently promoted to a position at the NTC's National HQ, as the Corps' Adventure Activities Director, holding the rank of Commander. So, the relationship has worked both ways: I've gained on my university course, and my organisation has gained a good facilitator.

What next? Despite all the hard work, I intend to be a teacher. I'm not entirely sure how this will fit in, but I guess I'll see with time.

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• "Volunteering looks good on my CV because it proves that I am self motivated and that I can take responsibility for a large group of people"
• "Volunteering has been amazing"
• "Through my volunteering experiences I have been able to make lots of valuable contacts for the future"
• "I have had great fun, made lots of friends and improved my CV

 

Tree planting at The Aldingbourne Centre		Primary Education students at Tangmere (courtesy of Bees Knees Photography)