Stafford College student volunteers with the health service

Eve is studying A Levels in Biology, Chemistry and Psychology at Stafford College and has been volunteering in the clinical department for 5 months.

Eve came across the opportunity to volunteer via social media, from following The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust’s Facebook page, and admitted it’s opened up a world of opportunities for her. Eve said: “I’d never thought about volunteering before because I never knew you could do so in the NHS.” Eve continues: “I came across it and thought ‘this looks amazing’. I followed the hospital on Facebook to keep up to date with COVID-19. Not only will it look good in terms of my career, but it will make a positive impact on the community as well.

“I think volunteering has become much bigger than it used to be. I think I have this chance probably because of COVID-19 as it’s given me this amazing opportunity.

When asked about the benefits of volunteering, Eve said: “The biggest thing I’ve got out of volunteering is confidence. It’s taught me about myself and I think it’s set me up for the rest of my life. It’s made me certain that I really do want a career in the NHS.”

Clare Briscoe, Study Support Tutor at NSCG, said: “Eve is committed to her academic work and building a future in the medical field and has sacrificed her evenings and weekends to be a clinical volunteer at a local hospital.”

Clare continued: “Work experience is a great way of gathering new skills and experience, enhancing CVs, boosting university applications and is hugely rewarding. Eve spent some of her time talking to patients who hadn’t had a proper conversation with anyone all week due to the Covid-19 pandemic.”

For further information on the importance of volunteering please read the student guide to volunteering.