Fatima Dar

My journey with Ursuline Links has been a long one and it’s really shaped me into who and where I am today. Upon reflection after the reunion, unconsciously in many ways, the charity work that Ursuline Links does and my journey with them when I was in secondary school and sixth form has really opened me up to the whole charity sector and what is now my career journey and what I want to do in life. I started volunteering with the London Day Camp and other events and this helped me flourish in my confidence and love with working with children and building relationships with the fellow volunteers and team. The team was always so loving and warm towards me, especially being of Muslim faith, I never felt singled out. They have always been so welcoming and kind and supportive in many ways. 

At the reunion retreat, it was so lovely seeing old familiar faces and sharing journeys and stories and really hearing what the future of Ursuline Links will look like. The conversations were so enriching and I loved discussing and giving feedback on the future of Ursuline Links. I can’t wait to see and be a part of it’s future, it’s all looking very exciting!

Eve Moran

Throughout the summer holidays I participated in the Ursuline links summer retreat programme offering a role as a young volunteer helping at a children's day camp in Ilford alongside other Ursuline students from other schools. I was particularly inspired by Genevieve who had participated the year before me and felt a desire for change and wanted to make a difference to helping young people. For me, the day camp was so much more than playing duck-duck goose or making a chatterbox it was about offering my time and allowing myself to grow more as a person it is extremely easy to hear that we should help charity donate money, clothes but there is also something fundamental about offering time. Angela Merici a key role model within our school community said “do something get moving risk new things … get on your knees and then be ready for big surprises” this quote resonated with me as the person who started the programme 5 months ago is a very different person.

AYOMIDE SHANGOBIYI

I first volunteered for UL in 2019 and have never looked back. I feel that although I am giving up my free time every year, I get so much back from the experience. I have gained new skills such as patience, ways of dealing with people and learnt how to be more professional in my conduct.

I am currently studying psychosocial community work at University which is teaching me about why people react in certain ways and how to help them, and myself, in certain situations. I feel that what I am learning in the course content will also help me to contribute more to Links projects in the future and help me to be an even better volunteer. I am also our course rep which means I have leadership responsibilities and I feel that my volunteering experience at Ursuline Links prepared me for situations like this.

Ursuline Links allowed me to experience a lot of “firsts”. The day trip with the children was to a zoo and this was the first time I had ever been. This was my first experience of having a job and proper responsibilities and Ursuline links gave me the opportunity to experience different types of people and cultures.

I recently worked in a care home and realised I was drawing on my experience and skills from UL in the way that I spoke, carried myself and dealt with the residents.

One of the best things is that the Links family support each other and regularly keep in contact even if it is not face to face. I feel that I have made life long friends with people I would never have met outside of this experience.

I feel that a lot of the bonding happened late at night where we would play cards, have deep and meaningful chats and crochet in to the night. But then everybody would be up bright and early the next morning ready to begin our work again.

One of my favourite memories from my many years of volunteering was actually last year (day camp 2023) where one of the children who had additional needs decided he wanted to be my "friend" and sit next to me on the coach. It made me feel honoured as he specifically wanted me and trusted me  when he wasn't like that with many others. It is such a privilege to be a small part in these children's lives and feel you have made a tiny difference.

Christy Thevathasan

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I started my volunteering journey with Ursuline Links in the summer of 2012 when I went to Wythenshawe, Manchester, to help run a week of Day Camps for children from less fortunate circumstances. Here we provided the children with a range of daily activities for them to enjoy in a social and positive environment. This included games, arts and crafts, singing and even a trip to the zoo. Over the course of the week, we got to know each child on a more personal level, each one with a different need. Yes, they saw us as responsible adults, and that we were, but they also saw us as their friends. The immense impact a little recognition and appreciate can have on a child is immeasurable and invaluable. At the end the week, whilst I was devastated to leave all the fond memories behind, I had never before felt so fulfilled as I felt that I had made a positive impact on so many lives.

“At the end of the week, whilst I was devastated to leave all the fond memories behind, I had never before felt so fulfilled as I felt that I had made a positive impact on so many lives.”

With Manchester being the catalyst in all this, I decided to volunteer with Ursuline Links in the subsequent summers. I helped out at various homeless shelters and food banks in London, and during 2016, another week of Day Camps in Thanet, Kent. Just as the children from Manchester and Kent, every homeless person has a different story and a different need. Hearing some of their tales made me realise how any one of us is just a few bad decisions from find ourselves in the same position. If that were to ever happen to me, I would want services as such as these food banks and homeless shelters to help me get my life back on track. We need more volunteers like the community at Ursuline Links to help keep these support services going!

“If that were to ever happen to me, I would want services as such as these food banks and homeless shelters to help me get my life back on track. We need more volunteers like the community at Ursuline Links to help keep these support services going!”

With me now having moved away from London, I have been a less active member of Ursuline Links. However, their mission to enhance the lives of the less fortunate is making a positive impact globally. This will not be possible without the funding by some very generous people and the help of some selfless volunteers. For anyone on the fence about volunteering with Ursuline Links, personally, the single weeks I gave up each summer to make a positive impact to my community is one of my most treasured memories to this day and I strongly recommend you give it a go.

Samira Shardow

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On Tuesday 28th May and Friday 31st May, I teamed up with Ursuline Links and volunteered at Deptford Reach and Redbridge food bank.

Ursuline Links is a volunteer programme which is run by the Ursuline Sisters. Its main aim is to give students and adults opportunities to be of service in the UK and abroad. During Ursuline Links I was lucky enough to meet girls from my year who were from other Ursuline schools such as St Angela’s Forest Gate and Ursuline Ilford.

DEPTFORD REACH

Deptford Reach is a day centre for adults who are vulnerable due to homelessness, loneliness, severe poverty and mental health. Deptford Reach provides these adults with low cost meals which consists of breakfast and lunch. They have many facilities such as a clothing store, laundry facilities, showers and access to health care, including a dentist and a nurse. They also support adults who need housing advice. 

“There was a significant amount of washing up to do at the end of the day, however we all agreed that the day was extremely rewarding!”

I volunteered at Deptford Reach from 9:30-13:30. As soon as we got there, we got a tour of the centre, then we went straight to work.

From 9:45-10:30 we served the client’s breakfast which consisted of eggs, sausages, beans and toast, for a very small price. The clients were very welcoming and positive and we got on with them extremely well. In the afternoon, we worked at the front desk, helping the clients sign in, and served them free tea and coffee. There was a significant amount of washing up to do at the end of the day, however we all agreed that the day was extremely rewarding!

REDBRIDGE FOODBANK

Redbridge foodbank provides emergency food to people in crisis. 

Food is donated, sorted and stored. Professionals such as social workers and health visitors then identify those in need and issue them with a food bank voucher. Finally the family/person comes to the foodbank and redeems their voucher, receiving a 3 day emergency supply of food and drink.

We had our work cut out for us on this day, as the foodbank received a huge donation from one family, then we had another donation from the local Sainsbury’s.

“I would definitely recommend this project to anyone who is passionate about helping out in the community!”

First, the items were weighed on a scale, and the weight was noted down. Then, we had to sort that food out by expiry date and put in the crates provided. Some of the items like milk, crisps, jam and cereal went in the storage room, so it can be given away at a later date when they are running low on supplies. We had such a big donation from one family that we ran out of crates and had to sort them onto tables until we could get more crates! 

We managed to sort out all the donations within four hours which was quite impressive. We worked cohesively so that we could work more efficiently.

For me, the best part of this experience was getting to know the girls from the other Ursuline schools. As soon as we met each other we started talking straight away and we all go on really well. I would definitely recommend this project to anyone who is passionate about helping out in the community!

Right now I am in my last few months of year 13 Studying Applied Science and Health and Social Care and will be going to university to study Sport and Exercise Science.

Monica Kauzeni

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In August 2014, I volunteered in New Orleans, USA, helping to rebuild the homes of those affected by Hurricane Katrina in partnership with the St Bernard Trust. We worked on the rebuilding of homes in the 9th Ward – installing floor, door and window trim, putting up dry wall and painting.

In addition to the St Bernard Project, we were invited to spend a day volunteering at Our Lady of Wisdom, a residential care home for the elderly. We had the pleasure of taking part in creative activities and celebrating Mass with the residents.

A few years later in July 2017, I volunteered in the Young Adult Social Justice Project based in London. This project was an exciting adventure as we partnered with amazing Ursuline student volunteers from New Orleans and St. Louis Missouri, USA.

“My experiences shaped me to be more grateful and understanding of what I have...”

The project was based in various safe havens for homeless people around London. I had the pleasure of volunteering at Deptford Reach homeless shelter and Friar Benet’s Kitchen at Killip Close, Canning Town.

At Deptford reach, myself and another student ran the reception desk. From playing bingo and cheerfully welcoming any visitors, to pouring tea and monitoring the shower schedule. I then had the pleasure of volunteering in Killip Close with the Community of Franciscan Friars of the Renewal. Friar Benet’s Kitchen is a place which provides spiritual and material care to the homeless.

My experiences shaped me to be more grateful and understanding of what I have and – more importantly – who I have in my life.

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They also taught me to focus more on my life’s purpose and how I wanted to spend my time outside of school (and eventually work). During our final day at Killip Close, we reflected on our experiences as we were told “serving without reflecting is like eating without digesting”. This has helped me to become more reflective of my priorities in life and what my future goals are.

Another benefit I received from the Ursuline Links charity was moments of peace. Whether it was prayer at the end of a project meeting or a retreat, there were moments of complete stillness amongst the busy day-to-day of school and exams. At Killip Close, Brother Christopher ensured we created a ‘Kingdom on Earth’ atmosphere with prayer, reflection and uplifting music.

“Outside of work, I volunteer part-time for a charity called Generating Genius which helps young people from ethnic minority backgrounds pursue STEM careers”

After graduating from the University of Nottingham with a degree in Mathematics in 2018, I now work for the Royal Bank of Canada in a Sales team. This has given me the opportunity to volunteer for the SportsAid charity to be a buddy for a Team GB under 18 women’s basketball player, complete an annual 5k walk for Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) and sit on a Multicultural Employee Alliance (MEA) committee to help promote diversity in the workplace.

Outside of work, I volunteer part-time for a charity called Generating Genius which helps young people from ethnic minority backgrounds pursue STEM careers. We connect students with the top employers in the field and equip them with the tools to thrive in their respective industries.

This past year, I celebrated 10 years of altar serving at St. Margaret’s & All Saints Parish, Canning Town, and was awarded the silver medal of the Guild of St Stephen.

My plans for the future include continuing to serve others, grow a career in the financial industry and do more of my artistic hobbies such as, writing creative stories, drawing and knitting.