Hi my name’s Khadija and I’ve been a volunteer with Say It With Your Chest (SIWYC) since February 2021. I have over 10 years’ experience of working in Compliance and Risk Management within the Financial Services sector, however I decided to take a career break so that I could use my skills and experience to make a difference in my local community.
Volunteering with Say It With Your Chest was a “no-brainer” for me as I share the passion for empowering young people to be the best version of themselves. I am also passionate about creating social change – and I think this starts with our young people.
A day in the life of a SIWYC volunteer
On a daily basis we have a variety of tasks to complete which can range from research projects to updating and interacting with the followers on our social media channels. What I really like about the work I’ve been asked to contribute to, is that I have already been able to see its impact and how it is used. For example, I performed some research on young people and the need for personal development and this research was used to support a funding application. As a volunteer for SIWYC, there is a real opportunity to make a difference to young people’s lives.
Most recently, I supported the focus groups we were running with young people and school support staff – this also included developing the questions to be asked in the focus groups. As a new volunteer, it was great to be given the opportunity to hear feedback directly from young people and school support staff. Being a part of the focus groups brought to life just how important the work we are doing is to the growth, confidence and development of both young people and school support staff and I look forward to being a part of many more projects like this.
Volunteer’s week
Volunteers’ Week has given me the opportunity to reflect back on the various opportunities and benefits that I’ve been fortunate to experience as a volunteer. Here’s a little acrostic i wrote which sums up my experience of volunteering for Say It With Your Chest:
Valuable contribution to empowering young people
Opportunities to practice and develop my social skills
Learnt a variety of new skills
Understanding of behaviour being a form of communication gained
New challenges tackled
Trained in the difference between empowering rather than rescuing young people
Expanded my network
Exposed to people with both common interests and with different outlooks
Real sense of achievement achieved
I look forward to continuing to develop new skills and working with people who are passionate about making a difference in the lives of young people! If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, what are you waiting for?