Be a Rep and make a difference at UCL Put yourself forward

Alessia is a First Year BSc Natural Sciences student who has been volunteering remotely with Age UK Kensington & Chelsea, a local charity working with and for older people. Read on to find out how volunteering can make your and other people’s days better.

Tell us a little about your volunteering

I am volunteering at ‘Age UK Kensington & Chelsea’ and I am currently teaching Spanish to older people via weekly Zoom meetings.

How did you find out about the role?

I found out about the role through the Students' Union Volunteering Service email newsletter.

Why did you want to become a volunteer? 

I started volunteering during the quarantine period because I wanted to reach out, get out of my comfort zone and support those in need. Volunteering is also a good opportunity for self-development, gaining professional experience and connecting with new people of all ages!

What difference do you feel you’ve made by volunteering?

By volunteering, I have been able to help organisations who are understaffed due to the current situation. For example, at Age UK the Spanish lessons were taught by a teacher who is now unable to teach at home without distractions.

What impact has volunteering had on you?

Volunteering during the quarantine has lifted my spirits and made me feel more energised during the day. 

Having the opportunity to do something new and impactful when all the days of the week start to look like each other (*insert Spiderman-pointing-at each-other-meme here*) has been very refreshing! Besides, I have also been able to train myself and improve my teaching and communication skills.

What’s the best thing about volunteering?

I would say that the best part of volunteering is the opportunity to help and make a positive impact in every field we like while developing new employable skills, meeting new people, and making friends!

And the most challenging? How did you overcome the challenges?

I have only been volunteering for a short while, but I think the most challenging aspect of volunteering online (so far) has been finding a quiet space for the meetings. We are a big family at home, so in order to find or assure some quiet time, I have to let them know when my meetings sessions will take place in advance.

Would you recommend volunteering? If so, why?

Definitely! Besides all the skills you can develop and the training for your professional path, volunteering can bring you fresh, memorable, and valuable life experiences.


If you want to help charities that are shorthanded and continue to contribute remotely, check out our directory for many remote roles you can do today!