I once asked a young doctor why he chose the medical profession, and his response was “I knew I wanted to be doctor before I could comprehend what the word was.” I stood there wondering – what passion! It was not the kind of response I was expecting. Volunteering feels the same way for me, a deep-rooted passion that has become an important part of me. It wouldn’t matter which part of the world I find myself, I would always want to volunteer. It is no surprise that I got into volunteering a few months after beginning my studies at the University of Edinburgh.
Edinburgh is home to a lot of organizations and charities who welcome volunteering. Usually you would have to search for them online, through word of mouth or even as you navigate the city. I have seen some charity organizations like Cancer Research UK, Oxfam etc display advertisements on their website or shop entrances with instructions on how to volunteer. If you are a student at the University of Edinburgh, the Career Hub often posts volunteering opportunities. In my case, the volunteering opportunity came through a WhatsApp group chat in one of the student groups I am part of. The role involved working with the youth – children under the age of 16 years, which I was happy to do because of my previous experience working with young people.
However, the process was quite different from what I was used to back home in Ghana. While I didn’t expect to be whisked into the role the day after expressing my interest, the entire process took longer than I imagined. Due to the nature of the role involving children, I had to do a Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) application. The PVG scheme is in place to ensure people who are unsuitable to work with children and protected adults cannot do regulated work. The process is usually initiated by the host organization on your behalf, and can usually take up to 14 days or more for one to receive their PVG certificate which then allows you to commence work. You can find more details about it here. Aside from the PVG application, I submitted identity documents and proof of residence before closing it off with an interview session and referee details.
My PVG application results came in a week, and I was able to start volunteering in December 2024. On my first day I was given training, and was tasked with interacting with the students and engaging them in the various activities displayed. I am glad to say language was not a barrier (even though some Scottish accents can be challenging for a foreigner). Through the activities and conversations, I was able to see things from the point of view of the students and how they navigated difficult tasks. I was particularly impressed by the various tactics they used to guess the number of candies contained in a jar. While some were ready to make an instant guess, there were others who took time to scan the item and count before providing an answer.
Volunteering with the youth, especially teenagers, might sound easy and simple – until you meet them. Suddenly, you are not just a volunteer; you are a coach, therapist, and stand-up comedian, all rolled into one. But you will also learn patience, creativity, and the art of negotiation in a way you would never imagine. So, to anyone considering volunteering with the youth, I would say do it. Just like the sour patch candy, it can start off tangy and then transition into sweet, making you forget the ‘sourness’ happened. Did I hear you say you will volunteer? Yes! Go finish that application!
Your- volunteer
Diana
Where can I start?
You can start looking for volunteering opportunities as a student in Edinburgh here:
- The University of Edinburgh website
- The University of Edinburgh Careers Service
- The Edinburgh University Students’ Association’s Volunteering Service
Well done Diana
Thanks 🙏