What do you study and which year are you in?
MSci. Natural Sciences 1st year
Why did you volunteer to be a Department Volunteer Representative?
I think that volunteering is one of the most rewarding things that anyone can do, and I want the rest of my department to realise that too.
Do you volunteer elsewhere?
This year I have participated in the Widening Participation Tutoring Scheme, which for me has involved travelling once a week to Aylwin Girls’ school to help one particular girl prepare for her maths GCSE.
What have you done to promote volunteering in your department?
In volunteering week I gave a short presentation promoting volunteering to all the members of my department, and followed this up by creating a volunteering display in our common room. From then on I have continued promotion by pinning up posters and distributing leaflets / freebees. Also, at the end of term I organised a volunteering day out for all Natural Scientists, which involved painting the floor of an art studio at Kids Company Urban Academy!
What difference do you feel you've made?
The turnout at the one-off day I organised was impressively high (10 out of 19 on the Natural Sciences course) and everyone seemed keen to participate in a similar event again. I am now recognised by everyone as a Volunteer Representative so at least they all know who to turn to for more information.
What was the most enjoyable thing about the role?
The most rewarding moment was saying goodbye after the painting day; everyone was so genuinely cheerful and appreciative that I knew they had enjoyed it.
And the most challenging?
I initially found it challenging trying to convey the message that volunteering is worthwhile without coming across as completely crazy. I think only when people realise that I really am enthusiastic about it that it begins to sink in.
MSci. Natural Sciences 1st year
Why did you volunteer to be a Department Volunteer Representative?
I think that volunteering is one of the most rewarding things that anyone can do, and I want the rest of my department to realise that too.
Do you volunteer elsewhere?
This year I have participated in the Widening Participation Tutoring Scheme, which for me has involved travelling once a week to Aylwin Girls’ school to help one particular girl prepare for her maths GCSE.
What have you done to promote volunteering in your department?
In volunteering week I gave a short presentation promoting volunteering to all the members of my department, and followed this up by creating a volunteering display in our common room. From then on I have continued promotion by pinning up posters and distributing leaflets / freebees. Also, at the end of term I organised a volunteering day out for all Natural Scientists, which involved painting the floor of an art studio at Kids Company Urban Academy!
What difference do you feel you've made?
The turnout at the one-off day I organised was impressively high (10 out of 19 on the Natural Sciences course) and everyone seemed keen to participate in a similar event again. I am now recognised by everyone as a Volunteer Representative so at least they all know who to turn to for more information.
What was the most enjoyable thing about the role?
The most rewarding moment was saying goodbye after the painting day; everyone was so genuinely cheerful and appreciative that I knew they had enjoyed it.
And the most challenging?
I initially found it challenging trying to convey the message that volunteering is worthwhile without coming across as completely crazy. I think only when people realise that I really am enthusiastic about it that it begins to sink in.
