What makes people like you volunteer? Well, here's your chance to see what they are all about
Age: 19
What inspired you to get involved?
I started volunteering in September of 2009 with The Rock and still volunteer there along with the Acorn Club. I really want to work with children after I graduate so I started to volunteer as a youth leader at The Rock which my local youth club, to get some experience. I saw an ad to volunteer with Mencap for their Summer Schemes and thought it was something I would enjoy and it was! Volunteering with Mencap then lead me to The Acorn Club which also works with children who have learning disabilities.
What does your volunteering involve?
In The Acorn Club I help set up games, supervise the children who attend and I do some one to one work. I get to be a big kid and play the games too, so I love volunteering and helping out, even though I miss out on a Saturday morning lie in! The Rock youth club is on Saturday evenings so I volunteer there as a junior leader. I’m involved in organizing activities and supervising everyone. I used to go to this youth club so I enjoy helping them and giving back some of my time as this helps keep the club running. For my University sports teams I do a lot of administration work, I book the pitches, organize matches, organize referees/coaches pay, run the Facebook page and contact all the girls about training times etc.
What skills or qualities are required for your volunteering role?
I think if you’re enthusiastic and passionate about an opportunity then it’s almost like second nature to volunteer. For my volunteering roles I need to have a positive attitude and patience at all times. I have gained a lot of organization and communication skills from doing voluntary work for University of Ulster, Coleraine Gaelic and Camogie teams.
