► Volunteer Experiences

I was happy to hear that I’ve been accepted as a volunteer in the Advice Centre since it would give me a chance to do something positive. During our first training session, I learned that I would be interviewing clients. This made me a bit anxious since I wasn’t very good with interviewing people; I’m usually nervous and I keep on thinking that I might mess it up. However, after having the training sessions and being able to shadow old volunteers, I became more confident and knowledgeable on how to assist clients. Even though I don’t know everything, having the staff and other volunteers help you out makes things easier. This experience also gave me a chance to meet other people, make good friends and have fun with them.

 

Joining the Advice Centre last semester is one of the best things I have done at University so far. Through the preliminary training and shadowing of other volunteers, I never felt thrown into the deep end and now feel confident giving useful advice to fellow students. The scariest bit was turning up at the first training session (which actually wasn’t in the least bit scary and just good fun). The best bit is being part of a team, which makes it possible to enjoy all aspects of advising other people and lead them to informed decisions and solutions.

 

I joined the Advice Centre in September 2003 when I’d just started University. I wanted a challenge and to meet new people and so I decided it would be a good step to take. I realised that in addition to helping other people I would be increasing my own knowledge of financial and housing issues, which would help me through my years at University. I’m now in my third year and really glad I picked out the Advice Centre stall when I was at the Volunteering Fair. I feel I’ve done something that’s made a difference to people at the same time as making new friends, gaining confidence in dealing with people and developing my interview skills.