Student Volunteering Week 2016: Take a Leap!

This is my most recent volunteering activity - falling 160 ft into nothing.

Bungee jumping was one of the most exhilarating and terrifying experiences of my life. It’s something I would never have accomplished without the passion and determination I’ve acquired while volunteering.

I Started Young

I began volunteering at ten, but it was during my time at school and university that I truly saw the impact of dedicating my time to various causes. In Year 10, I participated in a school trip with Habitat for Humanity to build housing communities in rural Ghana. That weekend without electricity made me appreciate the opportunities I had and the great friendships I formed.

University Mentoring

In my second year at the University of Essex, I joined the Numbers Project—a local initiative where students engaged primary school pupils with fun math games. Despite only having GCSE Maths and a fear of small children, I embraced the challenge. By the end of the year, I had bonded with a group of Year 4 students whom I absolutely adored.

Building a Career Through Volunteering

In my final year, I was elected as the External Relations Officer for the Law Society’s pro bono project—Street Law. During this time, I developed several key skills:

Marketing and Sales: I learned persuasion techniques to attract staff to the program, enhancing my ability to appeal to audiences.
Teaching: Translating my law knowledge into understandable concepts for young pupils taught me how to educate others effectively.
Communication: My role required effective communication with university staff, peers, and Year 10 teachers involved in the Street Law project.

These skills have since opened doors to incredible internships and job roles after graduation.

Embrace the Opportunity

Use Student Volunteering Week 2016 to take a leap, try something new, and give back to communities. You never know where volunteering might lead you. Find a volunteering opportunity.