CYP Volunteers' Testimonials
In the year that I have worked at CYP
I've enjoyed getting to know both the young people and the staff. Being
a volunteer is a great opportunity to interact with young people in a
relaxed and friendly environment. I personally feel I have more confidence
working with young people, and my experience has definitely encouraged
me to look into a career in teaching.
I was fortunate to join the primary 7's on their yearly trip to Mull this
summer. I think I perhaps enjoyed some of the activities more than the
kids! Mull was a wonderful week where, as a volunteer, I found I was able
to encourage the young people to take part, and to witness the young people
as both individuals and as a group to gain confidence and support each
other.
I am grateful to have been directed to CYP,
and would certainly recommend it to anybody who was considering working
with young people.
Karen Wilson
I basically got involved with CYP because I wanted to work with children in a more social environment rather than somewhere where you have more of an authorative role. I really enjoy working with the young people because you get to do lots of different activities with them and become really involved. I think it gives them brilliant opportunities to do things that they have never done before and experience a variety of different things. Working with some children who are from more disadvantaged backgrounds than others is really rewarding because the fact that there are people to help run clubs like CYP might make a difference to that child's life.
I think another of the reasons that I wanted to work with children was because it's a bit like a challenge. It can be quite hard knowing how to talk to someone who is a lot younger than you and knowing what to say. Being able to talk to children on a level that they can understand and relate to, I think, really builds on how you can communicate to other people and these skills can be transferable.
I think that with some of the children that we work with
it is also good that they have adults in a more informal role that they
can approach if they need to talk about anything or are having any problems
or concerns. It's maybe not as daunting talking to a youth club helper
because they socialise more with the child and know them more as an individual
rather than, for example, a pupil in a school.
Laura Peat
I am currently a full time volunteer here and am in the
middle of a six month placement organised by Project
Scotland. I decided to volunteer to get some experience working with
young people as I want to become a teacher and also, as cheesy as it sounds,
I wanted to have the opportunity to make a difference to other people's
lives too. It's incredible for me to think about all the amazing opportunities
I have had whilst being here and the variety of experiences I'll be able
to take away with me. It has been great volunteering full time; I have
really got to understand the Project's ethos and how all the different
sections work together to maintain the essence of it all. Plus, Project
Scotland provides an allowance for their volunteers making survival
a little easier!
As this youth project is so multi-functional and well established, I have been able to get the variety of experience I require and some extra too! Plans are in process for a school based groupwork programme which I am keen to be involved in; I feel this will give me some excellent experience in a school setting. I am involved in a number of youth clubs and have been involved in the planning and logging of the Banana Club. This is something I would not be able to be involved in if I was not here full time. I have learnt a lot about the need for precision in the organisation of such a youth club in order for things to run as smoothly as possible.
The music club is another of my commitments which I particularly
enjoy as I am able to share my enthusiasm for music with the young people
that attend. I have also been involved in two lifeskills programmes. Primarily
I've been working with Options+. This has provided
me with a great chance to build rapport with 16 and 17 year olds and help
them progress to employment or further training. I have also been involved,
among other things, in some placement organisation for Get
Ready for Work which has tested my persuasion skills on the phone
a great deal!
At the start of my placement I had set myself specific
goals and aims. Through all of the clubs and programmes that I participate
in, I am constantly being tested to achieve these and find the support
I get from colleagues here invaluable combined with support which has
been supplied by Project
Scotland. I feel that members of staff are always available to chat
over issues I may have but also allow me to develop at my own pace.
Volunteering here at the Canongate Youth Project has
absolutely helped me grow and develop as a person and I have definitely
changed for the better (I hope!) so I guess, this does change everything.
Helen Armstrong (Nov 2005)
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