July’s Volunteer Hero

Celebrating Volunteering and Making a Difference

1. How does it feel to be our Volunteer of the Month winner?
I’m more than shocked to be honest!

2. Tell me about your volunteering?
I began volunteering when I was in college, helping out at a local hospital, usually on the wards, handing out drinks to patients. Since moving away from home for university, I have taken on a different type of volunteer role, becoming part of my rugby club’s committee, working as a media officer for my University team, and serving as Social Secretary at Rosslyn Park.

3. What’s been your most surprising or memorable volunteering moment to date?
The most surprising was realizing how much some patients appreciated someone taking the time to chat with them.

4. What’s been your most awkward volunteering moment? How did you cope?
Volunteering on a colorectal ward, sometimes you see a little too much. I just laugh it off and move on!

5. What skills have you gained through volunteering?
Volunteering has greatly improved my communication skills and confidence. Before I started, I might not have spoken to you, but volunteering pushed me out of my comfort zone and exposed me to different types of people.

6. Is your volunteering part of a wider goal or aspiration?
Originally, I aimed to gain work experience to go to medical school. However, it became so much more. Now, I volunteer because I love rugby and what it has given me, and I want to help others experience the same.

7. What would you be doing if you weren’t volunteering?
I’d probably just do my day job, which wouldn’t be as fulfilling.

8. What would you like to say to the person who nominated you?
I’d like to say thank you! I really appreciate the nomination and for giving me and others the opportunity to celebrate Pride with Vinspired.

Are you inspired by this story? Explore over 20,000 opportunities to volunteer on the Vinspired exchange.

Check out more inspiring stories: - July’s Volunteer Hero - August’s Volunteer Hero - Volunteer of the Month - July 2015