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.