We have been hosting Royal Holloway University students for micro-placements over the last eight weeks. The work they have been doing, in that time, has had a positive impact on the local community and has given them vast amounts of experience in the voluntary sector.
A group of 16 students from Royal Holloway University have completed a four-week micro-placement with the charity in two separate cohorts this July and August. We want to celebrate with them for completing such an exciting milestone as these students gave 100% of themselves to the charity and their work has not gone unnoticed. Therefore, we would like to recognise them for their achievements and find out what they think of the amazing act of voluntary work.
We reached out to Lisa Cummings, the Senior Placement and Student Experience Officer from Royal Holloway University, for her thoughts.
“Micro-placements in the voluntary sector offer a really exciting experience for students that create a lasting, positive impact. By having real life workplace-based placements students can develop their skills and use the experience to help them make informed decisions about the type of work and company that they want to apply for when they graduate.”
The placements have provided real-world experience needed to integrate into the industry seamlessly. One such example of this is one of our campaign placement students, Carlota, who was tasked with creating content for Make a Difference Day. Other tasks taken on included contacting other organisations and promotion for the event expanding the support we provide to local charities and voluntary groups as an infrastructure organisation.
Another example of our placements getting real world experience is our amazing PR placement Maryam, who wrote a professional article about some amazing volunteers which is currently available to read on our website here.
Maryam Nassor, PR Placement Student shared. “Being on placement at Voluntary Action South West Surrey has been a rewarding experience. I was working on a news article that honours COVID-19 vaccination volunteers which was an exciting process. Conducting interviews with volunteers and learning more about each of their stories was inspiring.”
Whilst volunteering can be fun and highly impactful, it’s best not to forget how important it is for younger people to generate new skills in meaningful ways.
But don’t just take it from us, the students themselves who took part in these placements were the most important part of course.
“This was a rewarding experience where my design skills were challenged and therefore developed. Throughout the placement it was interesting to see how an organisation works, for example, when creating information leaflets or reports there is a very specific theme that needed to be followed.” Carlota Kiner-Josa, Campaign Placement Student.
“My experience of the voluntary sector and of working with Voluntary Action South West Surrey has been wholly rewarding. It is gratifying to know that one’s work can have a tangible impact, both on the lives of the organisation’s clients and on the wider local community.” Isaac Crosby, Communications Placement Student.
If you are interested in volunteering visit our website and get involved now or if you are looking to find placement opportunities for yourself or for a group of students, please contact us on info@vasws.org.uk.