Posted by The Law School
30 January 2025Giving your time to help others can be a very rewarding experience which provides you with a sense of purpose, a chance to develop new skills and to immerse yourself in the local community. There are lots of opportunities to try whilst you’re here at Uni. So as we look ahead to Student Volunteer Week in February, Renee Trestyen is sharing her experience of two projects she’s involved with. Renee is in the second year of the LLB Law.
When did you first start volunteering, and what made you want to get involved?
I knew a bit about Citizen’s Advice before I reached out to the charity to see if they had any openings for volunteers. I thought it would be a great opportunity for me to use my time and skills to help others, whilst also improving my communication and problem-solving abilities. The work they did also greatly interested me, as I am a strong believer in the idea that everyone deserves access to free advice.
I began volunteering at the Cat’s Protection after I saw a poster which encouraged volunteers to sign up. I knew I wanted to get involved as I have a love for animals, and the opportunity to assist in rehoming cats seemed and is an incredibly rewarding experience. I also have two cats at home, so it’s also a great chance for me to play and cuddle with cats!
What types of volunteering do you do, and how much time do you commit to these projects?
I volunteer at two charities at the moment, the Cat’s Protection and Citizen’s Advice. I volunteer at the Cat’s Protection on a Saturday morning for four hours, and I volunteer at Citizen’s Advice on a Wednesday between 9am-4pm.
How do you balance your studies with your time volunteering?
I have a calendar to help me manage my time effectively, which helps me visualise what time I have free to work. Also, my team leaders at both charities are incredibly understanding that I have commitments as a student, so if a conflict arises, they don’t mind me missing a volunteering session. This flexibility has really helped me to manage both my volunteering commitments with my studies as a student!
Is it a nice contrast to your law studies?
Volunteering at the Cat’s Protection is a great way for me to relax, whilst volunteering at Citizen’s Advice has been a great way to apply the skills, I’ve developed from my degree to help others.
What have you gained from volunteering?
My volunteering experiences have really developed my ability to manage my time and helped me to organise tasks better. As well as this, it’s also helped develop my communication skills, as I have to regularly interact with a wide range of people. I also find it incredibly rewarding to contribute meaningfully to the lives of others, so I’d say the opportunity to improve someone else’s situation has been the most fulfilling aspect of the roles.
How would you encourage others to make the first move to volunteer? Where would they go to get started?
I would recommend for people to research into charities that interest them, then reach out to the charities to see if they have any positions open for volunteers. Equally, I would also advise people to keep an eye out for advertised opportunities, for example on Instagram or on posters in your local area.
If you’re looking to get started the Students’ Guild has a range of opportunities through the Exeter Student Volunteers Society, from teddy bear hospitals that teach children about basic medical equipment, to visiting care homes across Exeter. Volunteering is guaranteed to be a rewarding, insightful and enjoyable experience.
The University’s Community Engagement Team is also a great place to start looking at something which will match your interests, and you could use Student Volunteer week (10 – 16 February) as a springboard. Full details on the Community website here.