| Case Studies |
Volunteering can benefit the person and the organisation. Listed below are comments from several recent MMU volunteers. They have done different things, in different places, at different times for different reasons. However, the common theme is how much they enjoyed their activities, what they learnt from it and how it has helped their futures.
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“I’ve been doing the Crucial Crewe for the past four days. It’s been absolutely brilliant! I’ve met so many cool people there and the kids have been fantastic to work with! You were right I’ve been absolutely tired each day I have worked!”
Charlene, MMU Student
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“I took part in the literacy mentoring in Ladybarn Primary School. I first signed up because I want to be a teacher, and found it a great experience. I worked individually and with groups of kids on their reading and it seemed like they got a lot out of it as well as me. It was nice to know I was giving them a chance to excel, and it certainly helped me to develop confidence and a good relationship with the children.”
Caithleen, MMU Student
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“I contacted coMMUni last September and they got back to me in no time at all. They found me a volunteering position as an administration assistant for a charity called FACT , based in Ancoats. I dedicated a few hours of my time each week to help them with the running of their centre, with tasks such as; answering the phone, typing letters, greeting clients, organising appointments, etc. Throughout my placement coMMUni checked to see how I was doing and they took an interest in what I was gaining from my placement at FACT. I can highly recommend to students and staff to get involved in a placement through coMMUni. You don’t have to give up loads of your time, organisations are happy with any amount of time you can spare for them. At FACT I have made many friends and even though I have graduated from University I am now their book keeper and help out one evening a week. The staff at coMMUni have been brilliant; they are always more than happy to help and want to find the right place that suits you best. I was recently awarded the community volunteer of the year award, this is something that I never thought I would win when working as a volunteer and it was a great achievement that would not have been possible without the coMMUni team.”
Clare, MMU Graduate
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“Being a millennium volunteer has been great I have done volunteer work with 3 different organisations now. My first organisation was with The Community Development Initiative here I worked as a tutor for … 7 to 9 year olds ... The work was basically to help the children with literacy and numeracy skills by going through their work books with them. I started the placement last October and 6 months of voluntary work later I’m offered to stay on but get paid so from that I now have a job. It’s only on a Sunday 2 hours but still I enjoy it and that’s the best part of it. I was then interested in literacy mentoring as I went to an open day and got information about it. I went on the training programme through Manchester Education and Business Partnership - City Pride it was good. I had a CRB check done and then got into a local school St Hilda’s where I mentored 2 children in the final term of school. Where every week I would spend about half an hour in total roughly 15 minutes per child and my role was to help them to read, encourage them to try new books and discuss the stories.”
Rehma, MMU Student
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“..the Volunteer project with coMMUni is that it is a great experience. A time well spent. It feels good giving back to the society what you had learnt from various experiences. My advice to every student is to volunteer with coMMUni the mentoring training at Didsbury prepares you well for the role, please lend a hand. We can all make the difference.”
Olu, MMU Politics Student
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"Back in October 2003 I got in contact with coMMUni with a view to doing some part time voluntary work in a local primary school. coMMUni signposted me to an organisation called Salford Business Education Partnership who arrange for business and enterprises to send some of their employees in to local schools and provide educational support and or mentoring. After an afternoon of informal training and guidance from Salford BEP I signed up with the reading support scheme and during term time I got into The Godfrey Ermen primary school in Patricroft on Thursday mornings. As a reading support worker for year 3 pupils I have a group of 6 who have been selected by their teacher as in need of extra support with their reading skills development. I spend approximately 15 mins, one to one with each pupil helping and supporting them to read a book of their teacher's choice. The work is very good fun and extremely rewarding, especially when you see the children's development and the teaching staff are very appreciative of your time and effort. I've already signed up for next term. coMMUni were instrumental in finding me this voluntary work experience so a big thank you to them."
Oscar, MMU Staff
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“In September 2003 I embarked on the adventure of a lifetime - but getting there was not easy. One hoped to utilise marketing knowledge accumulated over the last two academic years - assisting the non-profitable sector aiding a more needed course. It was my objective to make a difference; even if I touched the heart of one person. I wanted to feel passionate and take pleasure in the work I'd be doing. I'd been approached by a senior lecture who'd recommended 'coMMUni'. I was becoming apprehensive as to whether I would be able to reach the target needed for the year and seldom received constructive letters of response in the post. 'coMMUni' were there not only to offer advice, provide me with useful contacts, offer support, allow me to use their equipment - but most importantly were there as friends. With the help of 'coMMUni' one is able to sit hear and write this letter of thanks; and forever embrace the time I spent in Africa.”
Adam, MMU Student
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Click here to read some more stories of student volunteers from other universities |
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