Newcastle University

This week is national student volunteering week so we caught up with Ailsa Reid and Lucy Boden, both members of the sports volunteer programme, to ask them why they give up their time to work on the Sports Volunteer Programme.

 

We put our questions first of all to Ailsa Reid who is currently studying Psychology. 

 

What made you join the Volunteer Programme?

 

I spent the summer volunteering at a local children’s badminton club and really enjoyed helping children learn a new sport and developing their communication and leadership skills, I wanted to continue to open people's minds to new sports and activities so I thought the volunteer

programme would offer similar opportunities.

 

What type of volunteering activities are you involved in?

 

I have helped at an indoor rowing competition in a high school, which brought a new sport to the attention of these children in a fun and competitive situation.

I have also helped out at a sports camp which runs in the school holidays, coaching multi sports. I assisted in the coaching of the children and was responsible for ensuring they were safe and enjoying themselves and to see sport in a good light.

 

How do you think the volunteer programme will help in your future career?

 

I think that it will help my overall communication skills and my involvement in such activities is a confidence boost as I am able to cope in difficult situations.

I enjoy helping children and adults to learn new sports and realise their hidden talents.

 

What's your favourite part of volunteering?

 

My favourite part of volunteering is the help that you are giving to people that may be struggling; supporting coaches and leaders of activities which means that children get more individual attention and are able to develop more and be involved in different activities.

 

We then asked Lucy Boden who is on her second year on the Sports Volunteer Programme the same questions.

 

What made you join the Volunteer Programme?

 

I wanted to do something to do with sport and stay active. The volunteer programme fitted perfectly in with this and allowed me to do something different and productive in my free time. It’s perfect for adding value to my CV.

 

 What type of volunteering activities are you involved in?

 

I’ve worked in schools on lots of different occasions, this is my second year as a sports volunteer so I’ve managed to coach netball in schools, multi skills in primary schools and I volunteer on a weekend at a women only exercise class. I feel like I’ve done a bit of everything so far so my volunteering experience is really diverse.

 

 How do you think the volunteer programme will help in your future career?

 

So far the volunteer programme has really built up my confidence, it will help me to work with all different groups of people and have the confidence to do so.

It’s great for helping with communication skills.

 

What's your favourite part of volunteering?

 

My favourite activity so far has been the netball coaching in schools; the children were so enthusiastic and so grateful for my time. It was so much fun!