If you think students spend all their spare time avoiding studying, going out with their mates and having a good time then you'd be right. Well our student bloggers do anyway. While they assure us they don't slack on the study, they've got a lot to answer for when it comes to enjoying themselves while volunteering.

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Friday Jul 04, 2008

Farewell

I have been continuing my volunteering all the while I haven't been blogging, which means no recent blogs but now I am typing I do have loads to update you on!

Where shall I start?

My brownies are doing well as are my rainbows. We've done loads of exciting things as the weather has started to clear allowing us to do lots of outdoor games and teambuilding and trips and such like. The park just down the road is the major attraction for the rainbows; they have a habit of begging to go which means abandoning all planned crafts and games and activities and spending an hour pushing red uniformed cheeky faces on the swings - "Any higher, and you'll be over the top!".
 
Unfortunately I have had to say goodbye to both my Rainbows and my Brownies as was offered a job even an idiot wouldn't turn down! I counted down the days and I am now here in Gibraltar working an an au pair for two little boys aged three and four.
 
The Sunday before I left the UK we organised a trip for the Brownies. We asked them where they would like to go and they said the cinema and bowling OR the chocolate factory. The chocolate factory is in Birmingham though and too expensive so we travelled by train into the next town and watched the new Narnia film, had a game of ten pin bowling and went to McDonalds. They gave me a lovely book they had made full of messages of good luck and best wishes and group pictures as well as individual cards and pressies. My rainbows presented me with a cork board which they had painted the base of a tree and flowers at the bottom and then put their hand prints all over to make a handprint tree which looked really sweet and effective. They also gave me a teddy bear which they told me I had to bring with me to Gibraltar for when I felt lonely or missed them I had to give it a hug and it would make me feel better. If that wasn't going to choke me up - nothing was!
 
They have brought me so many good times and happy memories and I was genuinly and truely sad to say goobye to them. They are wonderful girls with wonderful futures ahead of them and I can only hope that one thing I have done in my last four years with them may shape them into a better person. If that's the case - just for one single child then it makes every minute worthwhile.

Girlguiding changes the young futures of tomorrow and the volunteers help make this possible. The girls reek the benefits and the leaders share the excitement, enjoyment and satisfaction with their girls. I have loved every minute.
 
Ashley x x x

Posted by Ashley ( 10:50 AM )
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Thursday Jun 14, 2007

Just a General Update...

Sorry long time I know I know! Don't all shout at me at once!

College work and my busy social life, well what can I say, I have no excuse. Anyhow, I shall make up for it now!

Been a busy time at Brownies. We have been to Blackpool Zoo, organised by moi. That was a scary thing to organise, I was forever thinking ahead, have we got all the insurance forms? Is the coach going to turn up? Are Mary's shoes going to rub? Will everyone like what they got for dinner? Will anyone be travelsick? and so on, but it all went marvellously well. Great time had by all, but that night I know what the word tiredness really meant!

We have been working on the Friends to Animals badge and the Hostesses Badge, making masks, invitations, cakes, having the vet talk to us and playing games all last half term. At the end of the term the girls all invited their friends and family in and served cakes and tea and juice, displayed their work and recieved their badges. It's amazing how something as simple as that can make them so proud. Waiting for their picture in the paper now, but I'm on it so urm dreading what I looked like! Just going back tonight for the first meeting back since half  term seeing as I had previous engagments with Beyonce at the MEN arena last Thursday and we are (very typically) making Fathers Day Cards and I am taking my parachute along. Whenever you bring that thing out they go like they have a bottle of pepsi each, they are uncontrollable!! It's only a parachute, calm down!

For the upcoming weeks we are planning to play some rounders, eat some picnics, do some painting, learn some sign language and make juggling balls. We have a circus day to go along to as well as one named "Fast and Furious" so none of our own pack organised trips this term. We are going to Waddow Hall which is one of Guiding's Official Activity Centre which is just a five minute drive from our meeting place at the end of term. We plan to do a treasure hunt and grass sledging (but no way am I grass sledging!) and have a Jacobs Join. I am also in the process of trying to get a lady to come and teach the girls about Henna and give them all a Henna Tattoo which will be really good if I can get it done.

As for Rainbows, I am not as involved in it planning wise; likewise with Beavers. I go along and join in by all means but it really would be impossible to be heavily involved with all three! One's mad enough!

As for me and my life, I am approaching the end of my first year at college, that is half way through my BTEC which is super, the year has flown by I must say. Hope the second year goes just as fast! Placement is good and well, mad and hectic; just how I like it!

I just want to say a particular thanks to all those who have commented on my previous blog, I really honestly do read them and enjoy hearing what you have to say. Pass the sick bucket I know!

I hope you are all well out there,

Love Ashley x x x

Posted by Ashley ( 3:40 PM )
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Sunday Jan 14, 2007

A Bit Random . . .

This is a bit out of the blue but anyhow!

Went back to Brownies on Thursday and although it wasn't the best meeting on the whole (didn't really do much due to some incapable leaders bad planning)  I was just stood back watching and thinking. Thinking how much I damn love it there. How well behaved and gorgous the girls are. They really are fantastic girls, they don't often moan about not doing anything and yes often they don't listen to you but what else do you expect? I have built up a really nice relationship with them. They know they can moan to me about the other leaders (don't blame them) if they feel like it, and I am always inundated with stories about everything wierd and wonderful. They take my bad sense of humour and teasing fantastically and we have a real good laugh between us.

I would give up college before I would give up Brownies. I was never a brownie myself, or a rainbow or a guide or anything like but for some reason now I absolutly love it. It really is a passion and I feel that it is so rewarding.

Don't really know the reason for this blog, but well, when you got something to say you got to say it! And I have a big important message to send out to everyone

I love it and so will you!!

Why not just give it a go? I did and it was one of the best things I have ever done. Never looked back since and I can guarentee you won't either. It is up to you how much you choose to get involved - you can just turn and have fun in the organised activities with the girls or take some actual  involvement in paperwork or planning. Or do your training and run a pack! It is great fun and OK might not suit everyone but it is well worth a go.

New Year, New Hobby? Guiding is THE WAY FORWARD!

Posted by Ashley ( 5:24 PM )
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Wednesday Oct 25, 2006

My Future in Volunteering...

Hi there!

Very shortly, I am starting my leadership qualification for Girlguiding even though I cannot officially have my warrent until I am 18. (16 now, just) I can complete all the work for it at my own pace though over the next two years and then when I am 18 I am hoping to have passed my course at college and got a job at a school (as well as doing my teacher training), and if they do not already have a brownies established I really hope to set one up myself. I am a good team worker but I see this as my own challange, to prove myself to my district and to myself and really get involved and run a brownie unit. Or mabye even a rainbow unit, we will have to see.

I am also going to log my hours for my millenium volunteers, which I hope to have achieved the first level in the next couple of years. Up, Up and Away!!!!!

I do hope to travel abroad, volunteering in the future, perhaps after college before the big scary world of work. Where? Don't know. Doing what? Urm, no idea! But I will sort it out hehe!!

I am always open to new volunteering, but for now, I have plenty on my books! Would love to hear from anyone else with similar ideas to me, leave me a message in the comments bit, I will look I promise, but like i said before, be nice

Righteo guys, gotta go but keep looking back, you never know I might even write another entry before xmas hehe - I make that a promise!!

Luv ya,

Ashlee x x x x

Posted by Ashley ( 4:00 PM )
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In Response...

In response to a comment I had urm a while ago lol here is how I got on in my GCSE's.

English Literature - A

English Language - A

Maths - A

Science Double Award - B/B

German - B

ICT - A

RE Short Course - A

RE Full Course - B

Business Studies - B

Was quite pleased with myself Go to collect my certificates on presentation evening at a hall in town, a school thing it is. Dreading it a bit, going up on stage etc but will be nice to see everyone. Oh, apart from that girl i fell out with at the prom. Oh and that lad who really annoyed me. Hehe See, it'll be great!!

Ashley x x x

 

Posted by Ashley ( 3:50 PM )
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If I wasn't volunteering, I would be......???

Long time, long time I know I'm sorry!!

I have been asked before why I volunteer, I got a pretty straight forward answer to that, as I have said on a previous blog. I have also explained what I personally get out of volunteering as I do. But now I am being asked what do i sacrifice or miss out on in order to do my volunteer work. I certainly don't miss out on my sleep, NOTHING I do gets me up that early, god no, me and my bed are inseperable before 8am hehe. Yes, I do miss out on time i could be socialising with my friends, but lets face it two evenings a week is not too much time to miss out on, and to be honest I enjoy doing what I do, I enjoy it as MUCH as I enjoy socialising, get that eh!! I don't let it interfere with my college work as it didn't my GCSE's. I find it a good release from college work or revising, it is completly different, usually very active and really acts as a good break. As I am doing childcare at college, my work at brownies and beavers ties in nicely, as it supports what I am training for.

As for me, I am enjoying college (at last, had a serious dislike at first), and most a good lie in as it is currently half term! I have started my placement with college at a nearby nursery which is all fun and games and as for work, urm lets not go into that! I hate work but it is the only way to get my money! I keep focusing on the fact that in two years I will be working full time and no need for another job alongside. Until then I am looking out for something more exciting to do for work which is at weekends instead of weeknight. Oh and I am currently trying to sort out my mellenium volunteers so I can be couting my volunteering as hours and hopefully get something official for my CV for it.

OoOoOoOoOhHhHhHh and christmas soon, how exciting dont ya just love christmas. Did I hear you say yes? Thought so!!

All ma love now and forever, hope to hear from you soon, write me a comment but be nice

Ashley x x x x

Posted by Ashley ( 3:43 PM )
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Wednesday Aug 16, 2006

Things People Wanna Know.....

Firstly apologies for the crummy title, didnt know what to put!

Going to answer some of the most commonly asked questions today that people ask me

Do you feel differently about working in a primary school to how you feel about working with the Brownies?

Yes, they both have very different atmospheres. Experience in a school is vital to me, i can watch the ways in which children react to things and behave in the classroom and the things that go on. At Brownies we are focusing on just having fun really, usually learning new things on the way, it is a much more informal atmosphere. Next people tend to ask me which i like best which i cannot really answer because they are so different. School is interesting whilst brownies is fun, so both combined is a great mix. Which leads on to the next question...

Do you think you will stop volunteering when you go into further education or when you get into a career?

Once I have hopefully passed all my exams (so scared about the 24th when i pick up results) and start college where i will be studying childcare, and then hopefully continue to train as a early years teacher will i be continuing the brownies. To put it straight forwardly YES! I cannot properly start training and "count" as a leader until i am 18 and bring on 2008 for that. I want to be able to train and count but then to also be able to continue my training in extra fields in guiding such as being able to take them out on trips, camp etc. Currently no one in our pack leader-wise has the training to do that and i am brimming with ideas as to trips and camps and holidays and all that and i cant wait until i can organise and carry out these activities. The only reason why i would have a break from brownies is if the studying got too much or if i was away at uni or something which obv prevents me but until something forces me apart, no way!

Can you tell us a bit more about the penfriend relationships you have with Brownies in the US... ie do you have a penfriend there too? Do you have any idea what it's like for the volunteers who help out the US group?

This project lagged a bit whilst i was taking my exams and i have been unable to get the letters fineshed with the brownies and send them off. But i emailed the lady in the US the other week and she is just as keen as i am to get the link going again. We have only exchanged two letters with the troop and recieved one back so it is early days yet. I have absolutly no idea which it is like for the volunteers in the US group but mabye that is something we could look into once the link has been established and is fully on the go! Will keep you posted!

What would be your dream volunteering experience?

I have always always always dreamt about taking a gap year after college and travelling, and volunteering overseas. That is why i look up to Selina, Dana, Lucy and Emily. I would love nothing more to put my 2yrs training to the best of uses and travel to a third world country to help them. The only thing which would hold me back from doing that is me. I would worry until my head blew up! I would worry about being out there alone, if i could hack it, if what i saw would affect me too much etc etc. But I have 2 yrs to build myself up to that. So who knows, I could be being transferred to the overseas blog for a while, we will have to see eh!

Right OK Fingers aching now, so going to see you all later, any more questions feel free to write them in the comments bit of this blog

Cya soon guys x x x

Posted by Ashley ( 10:30 AM )
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Wednesday Jul 12, 2006

Busy, Busy, Busy

Just when I think I have left school and have the freedom beyond me I complain of boredom and lack of things to do. Just proves, however desperate I am to leave something and "chill" for a while It soon all ends. I cannot be doing with just not doing anything all day long, to lie in bed and night and think, hang on, what have I got to show for today? Hence my latest volunteering. Set up my own work experience in local primary school. I now adore it and don't want to go to college but just want to stay and work here forevermore. Shame you got to have at least some sort of qualification to work in a school huh! So I guess I got to keep my shifts up in the Chippy to get my money in my pocket and keep my eyes set on my goal of working in the school. Been asked to help out on the infant trip on Friday which I am looking forward to, honoured!! (or mabye they were just desperate for helpers to make up the ratios). Either way I am still looking forward to it. More experience the better, and hopefully, all being well I will be allowed to return to this primary school for placements during college. Fingers crossed.

Monday night was a district brownies rounders match which was jolly good fun. 3 hours solid cheering and encouraging the girls. OK, so we came last out of about 10 teams, but hey lets look on the bright side, we had a damn good time and the girls enjoyed themselves. We sure didnt envy the competitiveness of some of the teams there and their parents. Was set up for a good time, but some of those mums were going a bit over the top. I swear now that when I am a parent I will never ever be like that, the poor kids, how much pressure just for a fun game of rounders. OK end of rant now ashley!

Righteo better be off, working tonight ( )

All my love 'till next time,

Ashley x x x x x

Posted by Ashley ( 3:46 PM )
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Thursday Jun 29, 2006

Me so far!

Right, I am working busily on producing the school yearbook which is a lot to do, and I am enjoying my days at the local primary school. Spent couple of days last week in reception class which i adored and have now moved up to year one. Hoping to progress to year two next week and then spend the last week in reception again as I enjoyed it so so so so much!! Also had my prom on Monday night. I really didn't want to go, I was so so nervous about it. But oh my god I am so pleased I went. It was the best night of my life, it was so surreal.

This is me in my posh prom dress on prom night.

Righteo, I am going to be off, it is like 11.30 and I have a 8am start tomorrow yipee! Keeps me going it does,  can't be a good thing to get in a routine of dinnertime wake up's! Then again...... 

All My Love Till Next Time,

Ashley x x x  

 

Posted by Ashley ( 10:19 PM )
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Saturday Jun 17, 2006

Sorry Guys!

Hiya all!

Sorry for my long long long long absence, I have now officially taken all of my GCSE exams though, wooo! Seems so surreal though still, it is going to take some time to sink in. And now, I am bored! I went to see a lady yesterday at a community place thing in my town to talk to her about the summer club they run so I am going to help there for 6hrs a day 2 or 3 times a week during the holidays which should be fun and manic but I can't wait. Also went to see a teacher who organises placements at the primary school down the road from me and he says he will sort me out with something for me, so I am hoping to start there next week 3 full school days a week to keep me occupied and on my toes. I also have got myself a little job to bring a little money into my pocket as i am so skint and sick of it! What else have i got to say? Urm....my prom in 9 days wooo can't wait for that! Gawd I really have not much else to say to you, isn't that bad.

Anyway better run, got to check up on big brother, and by the way yes i am one of those sad people who is totally addicted and watches it every spare minute of their lives because it totally rocks!

Be back soon  x x x x

 

Posted by Ashley ( 12:21 PM )
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Wednesday May 24, 2006

How volunteering has affected my career choices...

Oh, this one is easy peasy!

I have always loved babies, who doesnt they are so cute and cuddly (expect for when they make a smell or need changing, that makes me feel sick!). I always wanted to work with really young children, but started brownies and beavers completly changed my choice, as I decided that i would prefer to work with kids a tad older than the baby baby stage!

The first real experience i had with working with children in a large group, getting my point across and making an activity enjoyable for them was at Brownies. Before then I had no idea of what it is like to stand up and talk to a bunch of 7/8/9 year olds, not to mention to keep their attention for longer than thirty seconds! My first experience was to work with these girls, and bond with them and listen to them. This, I suppose can be seen as a similar situation to a school atmosphere.

I just knew it, there and then that I HAD to work with children this age range. They are so rewarding and funny and can uplift my spirits when I am in one of my deep dark moods! Making them happy, makes me happy.

Along with a mighty good challange it has set me in good ground for my collage course in September in childcare.

I feel confident around children already, and I am sure that will assist me in my new career choice!

Posted by Ashley ( 11:01 AM )
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Challenges I've overcome as a volunteer...

Urm, ok what can I say about this one?

I have always been quite a shy girl, not hide in a corner shy but just wary to let myself go, espically in new situations. By entering myself in a new situation, I have gained confidence through leading and believing in myself. This doesn't end when I step out of the doors, it carries on in all aspects of life. And if there is one thing employers or collages look for, it has to be confidence. It is also a good boost when you are at a meeting, and the girls are begging for you to be with them in their group or something like that.  You feel appreciated, and that ultimatly is why i do it.

 

It makes me

Posted by Ashley ( 10:52 AM )
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Reactions From My Friends...

"What you up to tonight?"

"Oh I've got Brownies"

"By Why?"

My friends just don't get it! They really don't!

And all I can answer is because I enjoy it, its fun and i learn a lot. But some people still don't understand it. They ask if i get paid for it, and i say no its voluntary work. They snigger a bit and i shrug it off. Some people are genuinly interested though. Oftenly people ask why i dont just go out and have a good time with my friends, like teenagers do, but i do do that. This is just another thing i enjoy doing, like a hobby.

The main thing i can say is do not let people bother you. If you want to do something, you do it. Don't let anything hold you back! Its your life, and volunteering rocks!

Posted by Ashley ( 10:44 AM )
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Friday May 05, 2006

My Favourite Volunteering Experience So Far.....

Ok, this one sure has been tricky but i have narrowed it down to two events, which is a bit of a cheat but I can't really pick between!

A couple of months ago I made contact with a girl scout leader from America, who ran a Brownie troop over there. We exchanged addresses and I got our girls to write a letter to their new penfriends in Michigan USa. As if this was not quite exciting enough, within a few weeks I recieved a box which was sent by their new penfriends. Inside was an individually addressed letter to each of our brownies and some american cookies they were selling which they sent to us. I took them in on the night of the next meeting and oh my god, they were sooo excited! We had a proper meeting planned with an activity to do but the girls just couldn't wait, they NEEDED their letters. They opened them, read, compared letters and pictures and were just so happy. Just a little contact, couple of quid postage and it made their week. It's so easy to do, and it makes such a difference to them.

At the brownie meeting last night we held what we called a pamper night. The leaders brought in stuff, and the girls brought in make up, nails etc. They made face masks, listened to relaxation music (which did not calm them down in the slightest), did each other nails and make up and I took in my hair straightners to do their hair for them. They couldn't stand to wait, couldn't sit still through the register they were just itching to go, and once they were away there was no stopping them. They has a whale of a time! Its nice to see them so happy, partically the little girl i look after while I am there. She was truely involved, was not an outside for any reason (she can feel this way if they are playing games etc) and was just a normal, happy brownie. That made my day, as well as hers!

Till next time, bye bye!

Posted by Ashley ( 4:10 PM )
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Thursday May 04, 2006

How I got into volunteering

I was actually approached first which lead me into volunteer work. A little girl I know (through family/friends) was just about to turn seven and she and her twin sister were on the waiting list for a local Brownies. The leaders of the group insisted someone was with her at all times because of the special care she requires due to her conditions of cerebral palsy and epilepsy. The girl’s mother asked me if I would be interested in going along with her daughter, because I already know how to care for her, and how to work her wheelchair etc.

I thought about it a little and thought hey what have I got to loose and said I would do! After a while I got into the work we did at Brownies and started to enjoy myself (it wasn’t instant!). Shortly after I approached a friend at school who I know was in a scheme called Young Leaders. She told me a little about it, and I went along to a meeting. A little after the meeting I contacted scout troops in my town asking if they were interested in me joining their pack as a young leader. I got a resounding response and three groups invited me to their meetings. Two were on the same night as Brownies though, and that’s when I started my work at the third group that contacted me, Beavers.

I have been at brownies for over a year now (it was a year in January) and Beavers about 9 months or so. I enjoy the work I do, and I can’t wait until I can start a new venture when I leave school, not forgetting my Beavers and Brownies though!  

Posted by Ashley ( 11:44 AM )
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