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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Tuesday May 30, 2006

How I've encouraged others to volunteer

Well…hopefully reading all of the blogs on here has encouraged at least one person to volunteer, if not why not? People go and volunteer it is really rewarding and loads of fun. So there, now I’ve encouraged you all to volunteer.

I also do promotions, at public events talking to people about St. John, and how they can join. When 50 people ask you the same questions all day it’s sometimes hard to stay enthusiastic and happy looking like volunteering is wonderful, but then you just think of all the fun you have volunteering with your friends, and how you can actually make a difference and it makes you want other people to have that feeling too. So you keep smiling and you answer the same question you’ve been answering all day. It’s good to know that someone could join because of what you said to them. And then, if you see them at the meetings in a few weeks it’s good to know you made a difference.

Posted by Sammy ( 3:36 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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Sunday May 21, 2006

Why.....?

When you tell someone you volunteer most people ask do you get paid – well, no or it would be a job. The next question is often why, why I gibe up my time when I could be doing other things; going out with my friends, revision for my exams, or earning some extra money. But the truth is, volunteering is better than all of these things (definitely revision !!).

I’ve been volunteering for nearly 6 years (that is a long time) and I love it. In that time I have seen some weird and wonderful stuff, had some amazing times, met some really incredible people and been truly inspired. I can’t imagine not having the friends I have made through volunteering; I’ve met people from all over the country each with a different story and reason for giving up their time absolutely free. The things I’ve done through volunteering have made me the person I am today, and without those experiences who knows where I would be now. The stuff I’ve seen and done have made me want to do more with my life and continue doing something worthwhile.

Posted by Sammy ( 7:56 PM )
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Sunday May 14, 2006

The people who inspire me the most

When volunteering you meet so many inspiring people it's unbelievable what some of them do, what some of them have been through in their lives. Whenever you meet someone just like this it makes you realise why you are giving up your time to do this, and it makes it seem really worthwhile.

At my cadet unit there is a lovely lady named June, who although she retired this year she still gives up her time to do extra training with some of the cadets. She is so nice and always makes you smile, it is unbelievable how much she actually does for us all ( she doesn't like being retired – says it is boring !!! ) June is really amazing and helps you to remember why you are doing this.

Visiting the residential home for the elderly (old peeps home), really inspires me because of the people I meet. The residents (old peeps) are always smiling and pleased to see you. Some of them are really old and have been though a lot in their lives and they are still happy and always have something to tell you. They inspire me to keep going and never give up, just like them.

Posted by Sammy ( 9:24 AM )
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Monday May 08, 2006

My favourite volunteering experience!!

It is sooo hard to choose just one great thing that’s happened since I started to volunteer, there are just so many things that were great but I’ve narrowed it down to the very best things so you don’t get bored reading like 20.

One of the best things ever was when I got to go to Buckingham Place with some other cadets and a lovely lady (Kathleen) from the residential care home for the elderly we volunteer at and meet Princess Anne (wow). It was really good as I got to meet loads of other people from all round the country, just like me who try to help others in their community; I even still keep in touch with some. What else was so amazing about this day (apart from missing school through special permission) was to see Kathleen’s face when we went into the palace, and walked past the scary guards with big fluffy hats and huge guns, she was really happy and that was good to see.

The next thing I love about being in St. John and working with the younger cadet’s is to see how happy they are when they achieve a goal, and earn something. We have presentation nights where the cadets can bring their parents and collect all their certificates, and its so good to see how happy and proud they are to have completed a course and actually learned something that will help them in life. And then the rewards we give them afterwards, the xmas disco, stay awake (you have to stay awake all night) and trips out are really good when you get to see the cadets just having fun and enjoying themselves with their friends. It’s really good to see and makes me feel like I am actually doing something worthwhile.

Posted by Sammy ( 5:35 PM )
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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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Why I decided to volunteer

There are many different reasons to volunteer as a young person, and many benefits of doing so. I initially decided to join become a St. John Cadet as a way to make new friends outside of school. By joining I was able to meet a whole new variety of different people, from all walks of life including adults and young people, those volunteering their time like me and others who are helped because of St. John.

By volunteering I am able to gain new skills both qualifications and awards such as first aid and different social skills that can’t be written on a certificate but are very important to every day life. When deciding if I wanted to volunteer I looked at the wide range of people, communication and leadership skills I could learn and improve by becoming a St. John Cadet. All of these things enhance my CV which will help me when applying for jobs, college and university. The new experiences and opportunities available to me as a young volunteer; enhance my CV, enable me to gain new skills and experience things that would not usually be available for me.

Overall, I wanted to become a volunteer to have fun, which is a major part of my time spent as a St. John Cadet, with the new friends I met, the new skills I have gained and the new experiences available to me.

Posted by Sammy ( 11:40 AM )
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About me!!

Hiya guys, my name is Ashley Walton and I am fifteen years old. I live in Lancashire but my birthplace is York. I lived in the Salisbury area of Wiltshire for about 10 years until we moved back up north!

I live at home with my mum and dad and my older sister (Hannah who is eighteen) in a small(ish) town near Blackburn. My mum is a classroom assistant and my dad is the project director at a charity based centre. My sister is training to be a hairdresser. We have one dog called Jess and a old mad cat called Suzie! I am not a big animal person but Jess is just my big baby, and I mean baby! I am in my last year at secondary school, working hard for my GCSE’s and I have a passion for shopping! I love buying clothes, clothes and urm more clothes! I love jewellery too! I used to work as a waitress but have had to give this up due to so much schoolwork which means I am learning to shop on a budget!

I also enjoy my voluntary work and as soon as my nasty exams have ended I hope to increase the time I have to volunteer! I am planning on going to college after I leave school to do a childcare course, heading towards a job with children, not quite sure what though yet! I love working with children, don’t ask me why because I really couldn’t answer! They are so funny and spontaneous and not half as judgemental as adults tend to be, I guess that is the reason why! I'm rambling on now so I'm going to end it there!

Posted by Ashley ( 11:38 AM )
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About Me

Hey ! I’m Sammy and I’m 16 living in the UK and currently doing my GCSE's (woo what fun !!! ) I want to go to university and train to be a social worker because i want to work with children. At the moment I am just trying to have some fun, pass my exams and hopefully make some kind of a difference.

I’m tall with dark hair and hazel eyes. I live with my dad and little sister in Lincoln, which is in the east Midlands of England. I told I’m a bit of a perfectionist which sometimes leads to me stressing over things, but overall I try to laugh about things and smile ! J I figured it is best to try and see the best in things.

In my spare time I like to do the same stuff as all people my age really.  i love going to the cinema, St. John and hanging out with my mates and doing spontaneous stuff with them, even most stuff really, and telly my favourite shows are The OC, Friends, Lost, Desperate Housewives (what would I do without channel 4?).

Posted by Sammy ( 10:41 AM )
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