I Ting is a BSc Psychology student and project leader of ‘Junk In The Trunk’, UCL’s student-led recycle-and-reuse scheme.
What do you do as a volunteer? Describe your typical session.
I organise and hold swap shops where UCL staffs and students can bring any unwanted but usable items and swap with each other or even just come and take away anything they like. Left over items are donated charities working with homeless people. I also set up collection points in various UCL halls in June for students to leave unwanted items that can be donated. This is to reduce waste and promote recycling.
What were your first impressions when you started volunteering?
It was a good project with a wonderful goal, but to start with there were not as many volunteers as I would have liked and the swap shops were rather quiet.
How do you feel about it now?
As more swap shops were held and more publicity done, it became more interesting and fun as more people were involved. It was lovely to meet new friends and do something good at the same time.
What’s the best thing about volunteering?
The smiles you see on other faces when you know you’ve made their day, even in the slightest way. For instance, we brought the items from the swap shop to St Mungo’s Home for homeless people. The smiles and gratitude we received from them were very touching and it made our day very meaningful.
And what’s the most challenging thing?
Time commitment! As a university student in UCL, our plates are always full with coursework, lectures and social life throughout the term, and it is not easy to fork out extra time to plan, organise and attend those events, especially when you have to sacrifice something else for it.
How has volunteering changed you?
It has not changed me much as per se. However, it does put a smile on my face knowing that I have made someone else’s day a better one. That kind of satisfaction that you get from volunteering is not something you gain through lectures or books.
What difference do you feel you’ve made by volunteering?
Nothing that big, but big enough to make homeless people very much happier just by donating unwanted goods left by students! We have also managed to reduce, reuse and recycle and encouraged others to do so. It probably would not be enough to save Mother Earth, but at least we are trying and we are doing our part.
Would you recommend the project to anyone else? If so, why?
Definitely! Because I am a project leader and I need more volunteers! Haha.. as many people might know, the current hot topic is on environmental conservation. This is their chance to make a difference, to do their part in saving the Earth. It might be small, but it has to start somewhere. It is time to take up responsibility over the place we call our home. Not to mention, it will also look very good on their CV!
Read other volunteers’ stories