“Give your hands to serve and your hearts to love.” – Mother Teresa.
This quote encapsulates my views on service, as I believe that to live a fulfilled life, we must be able to live for more than ourselves. Volunteering has been a part of my core for over a decade – I have not only been a volunteer but have also benefitted from it.
My name is Shanakay Dyer, and I am currently pursuing a master’s in Media, Campaigning and Social Change at the University of Westminster. I am one of the two founders of the iBloom Foundation, a Jamaican nonprofit organisation aimed at outreach, volunteering, and mentorship, and I enjoy going on adventures and being a part of outreach activities.
Upon arriving in the UK to study, it was at the forefront of my mind to volunteer with an organisation aimed at youth development, particularly in Education. It was to my pleasant surprise when I received an email from my university stating a call for volunteers, I saw Action Tutoring and decided immediately that this was how I wanted to spend my time during my stay here. Volunteering with Action Tutoring has been a fulfilling experience as I have witnessed the growth of not only my pupils but also my personal growth. Through volunteering here, I have gained a deeper appreciation for literacy as I have been challenged each Monday to come up with exciting and innovative ways to teach. The excitement on their faces when I bring a new game or activity to class is priceless and will forever be etched in my heart.
I not only impart knowledge during my sessions – I have also been given the opportunity to learn from my pupils. I am now a professional hangman player because of them!
Additionally, I am being taught how to think creatively and on my feet as they are profound thinkers, which, in turn, requires me to want to learn more.
One of my favourite memories so far was when I missed a session due to illness and as I stepped into the classroom at the other session, I was greeted with “where were you? We were excited for class on Monday.” That moment reiterated to me the value of what I am doing as an English tutor here at Action Tutoring and allowed me to want to continue developing while teaching.
I have seen where volunteering has also afforded me the opportunity to meet new people and learn about diverse cultures (I particularly enjoy the little talks with our coordinator and the other tutors before our sessions), while exploring another side of London.
People tend to see volunteering as ‘free work;’ however, it can open a world of opportunities and increase your employability skills. It is a win-win. You help to positively affect the lives of others, AND you get to develop personally and professionally.
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Thank you to Shanakay Dyer, an MA Media Campaigning and Social Change student, for writing this blog! Interested in volunteering? Find out more on our website.
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