Robyn D’Cruz is a medical student and volunteered with two student-run projects in her first year: The Teddy Bear Clinic and the Kite Project.
What do you do as a volunteer?
For the Teddy Bear Clinic - we go into classes in primary schools and teach the children about various aspects of health. Each week we follow a lesson plan that usually consists of 3 activities, examples of activities include, story time, learning how to clean teeth using model teeth, using doctors kits on teddy bears, healthy eating bingo, making fruit kebabs, colouring in and exercise games. Each activity lasts for 20 minutes.
For the Kite Project we had a training/briefing session where we learnt how to make kites and also how to work with people with learning disabilities. On the day of the project we were each assigned to a participant and together we made a kite, then the participant received certificates.
What were your first impressions when you started volunteering?
I began volunteering before I came to university as I wanted to do something positive for others but it has also been a great way to meet new people and to try new things.
I find it really rewarding as you really feel like you are using your skills in a good way and making a difference. It is also a great use of spare time.
How do you feel about it now?
I thoroughly enjoy volunteering and am really glad I have been able to find projects to get involved in that consist of activities that interest me, fit around my timetable and I’m happy with the level of commitment they require.
What’s the best thing about volunteering?
It’s a great way to meet new people and to get involved in something that is not just based on work. We have no lectures on a Wednesday afternoon so it is easy to find time to get involved and it makes a really nice midweek change. After volunteering I always feel really happy that I have made a positive difference.
And what’s the most challenging thing?
The most challenging part is deciding which project you would like to become involved with, as there is just so much choice, there really is something to suit everyone.
How has volunteering changed you?
I think volunteering has made me more confident and less shy as I am now more comfortable to talk to new people than I was before I began volunteering. I find that it also makes me motivated to work at other times to ensure I can make the time to volunteer.
What difference do you feel you’ve made by volunteering?
From working in the kite project I feel that I have given someone with learning disabilities the chance to take part in an out of the ordinary activity - kite making. They can feel a sense of achievement at having made their own kite.
From volunteering with Teddy Bear Clinic I think I have given the children an introduction on how to be healthy and they have been able to participate in some fun activities which they seem to have thoroughly enjoyed.
Would you recommend the project to anyone else?
I would recommend both of the projects that I have been involved with this year. The kite project is great as it is only a one-off opportunity it doesn’t require a lot of your time and so it is easy to fit into a busy schedule. It is also great to get involved with something - when else would you have the opportunity to make and fly a kite within London? I chose to participate in Teddy Bear Clinic as it is really nice to be able to volunteer with children and as I am studying medicine I think it is highly relevant as I am learning how to talk to young children about being healthy.