To support National Student Volunteering Week, Beacon is sharing thoughts from our student volunteers who help at Beacon.

Nabeela Kaussar, who studies Psychology at Birmingham City University, helps with our day services in Sedgley. She explains: “I came to Beacon to understand how a visual impairment affects a person’s behaviour. The sense of giving back and allowing me to develop my skills set is another reason why I volunteer at Beacon.”

Nabeela enjoys spending time with the different people, with various personalities and listening to their stories. Nabeela also said: “I enjoy being here and helping people. I support service users with arts and craft activities and reading and listening to their stories and experiences.”

Good volunteering is all about engaging and looking at life from another person’s perspective. Another important aspect is helping to accommodate different people’s needs in a professional and respectful manner – whilst adapting to the environment. Volunteering is not just about enhancing your CV, but the satisfaction you get whilst helping people. Volunteering can be outside of work life and these experiences can help you in the future.

Nabeela found the Beacon volunteering programme easily accessible and straightforward.

Confidence is another skill the university student feels will strengthen as she continues to volunteer at Beacon and developing her communication skills with staff and service users. She adds: “I am not much of an out-going person but helping out at the Beacon has heightened my confidence and made me more sociable with people from all walks of life.”

Nabeela concluded: “When looking to volunteer you shouldn’t be subject specific as a lot of volunteering programmes allow you to become adaptable and utilise skills in specific areas. If you are looking to volunteer, make sure you take in account how much time you can offer and commit to the role as you will be making a difference too many lives.”