In this blog, I will share some of my student volunteering experiences and talk about why outreach has been a fundamental part of my degree.
Sharing my subject
The main way that I have volunteered at Durham is through my work in Modern Languages and Cultures (MLAC) Outreach. MLAC Outreach works with schools and young people in and around Durham, particularly those from state schools, to promote language learning and inspire the next generation of linguists. Some of the events I have been involved in are: Christmas Storytelling in a foreign language, The Spanish Apprentice, Language Detectives and a Creative Writing workshop. Being in charge of many of these events has led me to gain more confidence in my leadership and subject specific skills and my passion for the degree has made the role extremely rewarding.
Sharing my experience
Aside from MLAC Outreach, I have also volunteered for the 93% club as an outreach ambassador. The 93% club at Durham aims to combat the gap between state and private education and overcome the inequality that sees the majority of top-paid jobs in England disproportionately dominated by private school students. I went to my old school to deliver a presentation about the cause and share my experiences in Durham. I have also completed several smaller events such as a colour run to raise money for charity and other school-based presentations to promote higher education.
Upskilling myself
There are so many other societies, associations and charities to get involved with at Durham and I honestly believe that an important part of my university experience has come from volunteering. Volunteering allows you to develop useful skills that can help in both work and everyday life. You might improve communication, teamwork, problem-solving, or even leadership abilities. Helping others also gives you a sense of purpose and accomplishment. It provides a great way to take a break from daily, university pressures and focus on something meaningful.
Discover more
Find out more about volunteering at Durham here
Download our latest prospectus and college guide here.
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