Volunteer study – Dan

What does your role involve?

I primarily assist the youth workers, providing an extra pair of ears and eyes. Mostly it involves having a chat and listening to the young people.

What are the best things about volunteering with young people in the YMCA?

It’s a unique atmosphere and a different way to spend your time. I find that being around young people stops you from getting old mentally and getting stuck in your ways. You can’t be at all judgmental, if you come in with prejudgments they will quickly be put aside. For me it feels good to be doing something useful that matters in the world.

What have you learnt in your time as a volunteer?

Interesting new slang! On a serious note I have become more accepting and open. Although young people face different challenges to when I was young, they are still the same in many ways, and I find it easy to relate to their experiences and understand some of the difficulties they might have around self-confidence, bullying and moving from youth to adulthood.

I have also learned a lot from an academic perspective through safeguarding courses and there is always the opportunity to learn more. Being able to engage with all types of people is a transferrable skill which is relevant to any workplace. You also learn how to lead a session which positions you in a good place when you enter the world of work as you can control an environment in a non-threatening way.