Katie studied Medicine at UCL, graduating in 2019, and now works in the NHS. We recently caught up with her to talk about all things volunteering.
Where are you currently working and/or volunteering?
I currently work as a neonatal intensive care doctor and I'm due to start training as a paediatrician! My day to day job involves a lot of practical procedures, talking to parents and other specialists, and cuddling babies. I'm currently volunteering as a Brownie Guide leader so every week I help organise and supervise a group of girls to learn new skills and have fun! I also intermittently volunteer as a maths tutor for GCSE age children.
What volunteering were you involved with whilst you were at UCL?
- London Nightline- a listening hotline run by students, for students
- Girlguiding London North West - Brownie Leader
- Save a Baby's Life - Basic Life Support for babies, taught to parents and small groups
What useful skills and experiences did you gain as a volunteer when you were at UCL?
London Nightline taught me most of the skills I use day to day as a doctor- I am much more empathetic, much better at listening and I know how to ask questions to build rapport and really make my patients feel valued. I have a much larger understanding of the problems our society has to face and Nightline really taught me how to look beyond first impressions. I did a lot of work within Nightline on developing policies, child protection and training new volunteers, which has really taught me the more organisational and administrative side of this sort of work. My teaching and training skills are much improved- and I'd like to think my teaching sessions now are a lot more fun and a lot less reading off of slides!
Working within Girlguiding has taught me so many new ways to have fun and engage children in things that may seem difficult or novel. it's certainly useful to have an arsenal of jokes and games ready for working as a junior doctor! I'm able to relate to and build rapport really quickly with children of all ages because guiding keeps me up to date (or down with the kids, whichever!).
I met my husband and most of my best friends through London Nightline, and got the opportunity to travel around the UK delivering teaching sessions to university staff, other students and the general public. My work with Brownies and Nightline was the work that cinched me my current job and I cannot be more grateful!
Volunteering every week with both of these charities really kept me sane throughout my studies and now in the world of work. It's really easy to forget that there is life outside of university and that London has more to offer than just campus and lectures! In the midst of the preclinical studies where you spend hours learning about biochemical pathways and pharmacology, it was Nightline that kept me grounded and reminded me what on earth I was doing this all for. The friendship and support I received at Nightline has really motivated me to continue spreading that support and cheer throughout my life as a doctor, both with my patients and my colleagues.
Through Nightline I also became part of the Camden CCG NHS clinical group working on improving access to psychological therapies for adults in the Camden and Islington area. I met so many people within the psychology and psychiatric world and this really shaped my attitude towards my career- I saw how little support there was out there for young people and how they often fell through the gaps between children and adult services.
What would you say to UCL students considering whether or not to volunteer?
Absolutely do it. It will change your life for the better- it looks amazing on your CV, it gives you a routine, it helps you meet people outside of the UCL bubble, and most of all, it is the most fun and rewarding experience that university has to offer. Most volunteering options will be happy to have you, whatever you can give- whether that's a few hours a week or a few hours a year. I do not think I would have completed university without volunteering to keep me sane.
I fell into volunteering accidentally, having been a Guide Leader before medical school and then choosing a volunteering elective in my first year as I thought it would be an easy option. It absolutely was the easy option- I had a brilliant time, the hard work felt like fun and games and I made friends that are still my closest friends now. There are options out there to volunteer wherever your strengths are and I cannot recommend it enough. I have gone from being shy and worried about whether I could be of any use to a confident and enthusiastic person, all because one member of the volunteering office gave me the option to sign up for more projects. Thank you, Volunteering Service!!!
Volunteering every week with both of these charities really kept me sane throughout my studies ..