VOLUNTEER ABROAD AND MAKE AN IMPACT

From the moment I arrived in Ghana, I felt welcomed and safe, thanks to the friendly volunteer coordinator and driver who met us at the airport. My most valuable learning took place at the Psychiatric Hospital, where I co-led therapy sessions in the counselling department, learned and practised Mental Status Examinations (MSEs), and attended Narcotics and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings to better understand addiction recovery. These experiences gave me insight into mental health policies, systems, and culturally influenced practices in Ghana, and I was surprised by how similar some aspects were to the UK.

At the children’s home, I delivered psychoeducational workshops for children on anxiety and managing low mood, which strengthened my communication and adaptability when working with a wide age range. I was also inspired by seeing former children from the home now thriving at university, which showed the long-term impact of the project. This placement gave me valuable cross-cultural clinical experience that will strongly support my future career in psychology and therapy.

My placement in Ghana gave me valuable insight into mental health care in a low-resource setting and helped me grow both personally and professionally. I worked with mental health professionals, conducted psychiatric assessments, and gave presentations on exam stress to teenagers. At the hospital, I was tasked with completing psychiatric evaluations and learning about conditions such as substance abuse, depression, and epilepsy, which felt very relevant to my future career goals. Engaging with patients and asking clinical-style questions gave me a real sense of what working in psychology is like, especially as I hope to become a forensic psychologist.

The staff were kind, welcoming, and always willing to answer questions, and I felt supported while learning new skills. Meeting the children was especially life-changing — despite having so little, they were some of the happiest people I’ve ever met and taught me a lot about gratitude and resilience. This placement pushed me out of my comfort zone, improved my confidence, and gave me meaningful, hands-on experience that will help with my studies and future career in psychology.

Volunteering in Ghana was an incredibly rewarding experience and very different from anything I had done before, both culturally and landscape-wise. In Senya, I worked at a home caring for children, helping resolve conflicts, and running social workshops, including topics like peer pressure. I loved standing in front of the kids and doing presentations, and their joy and energy were truly contagious. I also travelled to Cape Coast, where I interviewed social workers and explored the Psychiatric Hospital, gaining insight into rehabilitation services, case files, and community empowerment work. Seeing so many aspects of mental health care was fascinating and helped confirm my interest in becoming a social worker.

Although I spent some time working independently, it pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me grow in confidence, especially in working with children. The staff and locals were incredibly kind and welcoming, and the food, culture, and friendships made the experience unforgettable. I would absolutely encourage others to take this opportunity.

I joined the placement feeling excited but unsure of what to expect, and it quickly became a valuable and eye-opening experience. I was impressed by the work of local organisations and felt comfortable and accepted by the team, who were passionate about advocating for fair and just legal support in Ghana. I gained first-hand insight into the Ghanaian legal system by meeting the legal aid team, visiting prisons, engaging with ex-convicts, and learning about real cases—many involving petty offences linked to poverty. One of the most powerful moments was witnessing prisoners being released after their bail was paid, giving them a second chance in society.

The experience directly complemented my criminology and law studies and gave me insight that few people entering this field have the opportunity to gain. Beyond the professional learning, exploring markets, schools, and local communities helped me better understand daily life in Ghana. This placement broadened my perspective on global justice issues and was an experience I would strongly encourage others to embrace with an open mind.