Claudia Franz studies French and German. She takes part in the VIBE project, volunteering for a couple of hours per fortnight.
What do you do as a volunteer?
My tasks vary from week to week, but generally, I meet my participant (Eleanor) at a pre-organised place. Then we will go to wherever we’ve planned to go to (we’ve been to classical music concerts, cafés and the Houses of Parliament), with me guiding her. We’ll stay there for a couple of hours (or the duration of our task), then I’ll either head off to university (if we meet during the week) or guide her home (as we live near each other).
What were your first impressions when you started volunteering?
I’d done some volunteering before, but mainly with the elderly and children, so wasn’t sure what to expect. Before I started, I was quite nervous as I’d never volunteered with a partially sighted person. I was a bit apprehensive, because I realised I held quite a lot of responsibility, and I realised that I take quite a lot of things for granted in day to day life.
How do you feel about it now?
I feel comfortable now, and definitely more tolerant towards partially sighted people and the difficulties they face daily. I’m sad that I’ve only been required to meet my participant six times, as I’ve really enjoyed spending time with her. I feel like this has been a rewarding experience for both of us, and I’d definitely recommend it.
What’s the best thing about volunteering?
On the most selfish level, volunteering looks good on your CV. But it’s so much more than that. Through volunteering you’re able to give back to your local community, and help those people who need your help. Although perhaps Eleanor did not really need my help, I gained quite a lot from the experience. So, I’d say the best thing is definitely knowing that in some, albeit sometimes small, way, you’ve been able to make a difference in someone’s life.
And what’s the most challenging thing?
The most challenging thing for me I suppose was being open and forthcoming. I’m quite an introverted person, so having to speak up and rely purely on conversation was difficult for me. I tend to not take in my surroundings, but having to describe them to Eleanor has helped me to appreciate them.
How has volunteering changed you?
Volunteering has improved my ability to be self-sufficient, as in this particular occasion I haven’t been able to rely on anyone else. I’ve also been able to grow as a person and I’ve definitely become more confident and outgoing. It has also given me a greater appreciation for blind and partially sighted people.
What difference do you feel you’ve made by volunteering?
I’ve been able to help Eleanor with things that she otherwise would have struggled with, for example printing and affixing labels to envelopes and then delivering them throughout our local area. In my next volunteering session I shall be taking Eleanor around our area helping her to locate all the local bus stops and the buses which serve them, helping her to make her way independently around London.
Would you recommend the project to anyone else? If so, why?
I would not hesitate in recommending the Vibe project to people. I think it’s a rewarding experience, not just for the participant but for the volunteer themselves. It’s a project which is a little different, and that’s what attracted me to it, because I, personally, am very used to working with children and the elderly. It has changed my attitude towards the blind/partially sighted and made me a more tolerant person.