Sophie @ the Pirate Castle
Sophie is a vet student who has been volunteering for the Pirate Castle for the last two years. While looking for something that would help her get more out of her university experience than just a great social life, Sophie came across an ad for kayak club helpers on the do-it.org website. Despite having no experience at all in kayaking, Sophie decided to give it a go and has never looked back.
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"The extra bonus is that many of these skills are transferable so will help me later on with my career." |
Q: What motivated you to start volunteering?
I was in my second year of Vet School and wanted to find something different to do to contribute to my uni experience. I came across the opportunity on do-it.org and thought I would give it a go.
Q: What do you do in your role?
I started out assisting in the kayak club helping the coaches to teach groups of kids how to kayak on the canal. Now that I have less spare time I tend to help more with the organisation of events like the ‘Walk Like a Pirate' charity walk, the Halloween Party and Cavalcade which is a big event for waterway users in Little Venice every year - I go along and stay with groups of children and teach them to kayak.
Q: What do you get out of your volunteering?
I love it because I am surrounded by inspiring people. I have met a huge range of people that I would never have come across if I had just stuck with just being a uni student and not looked for experiences elsewhere.
I am also gaining new skills all the time including being able to think on the spot, working with children, event organising, project planning, business skills and communication.
The extra bonus is that many of these skills are transferable so will help me later on with my career. My volunteering will hopefully help me to stand out when applying for jobs.
Q: What advice would you give someone thinking about volunteering?
Volunteering helps to make you a more rounded person as you are able to gain skills and life experience that can't be taught in a classroom.
Things that you learn through volunteering will help you to deal with different situations that might come up in your life - it will help you with getting jobs to!
Q: Advice for clubs looking for volunteers?
Don't restrict yourself to looking only for volunteers who have knowledge and/or experience in your sport or activity. There are many people out there with useful skills and the ability and enthusiasm to learn about a new sport.
I knew nothing about kayaking when I joined the Pirates Castle but have picked up a huge amount along the way. I also brought with me skills that have benefitted the club and I think that there are many roles that volunteers can get stuck in to without needing to know much or anything about a sport - give someone a go - it could be really rewarding!!
Q: What is your favourite volunteering experience so far?
Taking part in Cavalcade this year was one of my favourite memories - walking up with the kids on boats, cooking breakfast and then going out to teach them how to kayak is something that I will remember for a long time!
