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Volunteer Reviews
This Experience Helped my Career and Education
We had the opportunity to do some one-to-one counselling with the children and learn more about their cases, this was a very interesting experience. It was great to be with the children; their simple joy and love was such a privilege to be around. I also sat in on counselling sessions at the Psychiatric Hospital, as well as meeting and helping patients at the local hospital and clinic.
Witnessing the way that the local systems are run (both healthcare and social), is really so different from everything I have experienced before. Having this experience and exposure has helped me widen my perspective, which will help me in my career and education. I hope to be able to be involved in supporting these projects again in the future.
Witnessing the way that the local systems are run (both healthcare and social), is really so different from everything I have experienced before. Having this experience and exposure has helped me widen my perspective, which will help me in my career and education. I hope to be able to be involved in supporting these projects again in the future.
Caitlyn Teo
University of Edinburgh
June 2023
It Gives you a Fresh Perspective on Life
Settling in was great as I knew exactly who to talk to if there were any issues. Myself and another volunteer had a fantastic welcome, I was so surprised with the welcome as I did not expect such a warm and kind welcome.
They all made us feel so welcome and we really felt like we were making an impact simply by being there. The kids and teachers were grateful for all our help, especially the mental health talks we delivered. I feel I made an impact in the counselling sessions with the kids and it was amazing to develop bonds with them.
It is nothing like one can experience in the UK and just gives a fresh perspective on life. It has made me appreciate life so much and how lucky we are. I appreciate the little things so much more now.
They all made us feel so welcome and we really felt like we were making an impact simply by being there. The kids and teachers were grateful for all our help, especially the mental health talks we delivered. I feel I made an impact in the counselling sessions with the kids and it was amazing to develop bonds with them.
It is nothing like one can experience in the UK and just gives a fresh perspective on life. It has made me appreciate life so much and how lucky we are. I appreciate the little things so much more now.
Polly Jones
Nottingham Trent University
June 2023
Opportunity to Give Back to Ghana
Me and my sister went to Ghana to do the Psychology & Mental Health programme. We are originally from Ghana so this was an opportunity to give back to the country we’re from. I am very passionate about helping other people and it was great to utilize the knowledge I have gained from my degree to help the local community and children in Ghana and also to gain practical clinical experience in psychology.
From this volunteer trip abroad I got to experience first-hand working in psychology and the mental health care system in Ghana. I developed an understanding of different types of interventions that other countries use in assisting others with mental health issues. I felt a sense of fulfilment and satisfaction from my role and felt that I’d made a great contribution.
From this placement, I developed my current knowledge working in the psychological field and also gained experience working in the areas of child, social and developmental psychology. I was also involved in community outreach programmes, worked on new cases daily and aided individuals and children with mental health challenges. When I got back I got a job offer as a councillor and Vocational Impact provided me a reference. I’m really thankful for the opportunity and support from VI.
From this volunteer trip abroad I got to experience first-hand working in psychology and the mental health care system in Ghana. I developed an understanding of different types of interventions that other countries use in assisting others with mental health issues. I felt a sense of fulfilment and satisfaction from my role and felt that I’d made a great contribution.
From this placement, I developed my current knowledge working in the psychological field and also gained experience working in the areas of child, social and developmental psychology. I was also involved in community outreach programmes, worked on new cases daily and aided individuals and children with mental health challenges. When I got back I got a job offer as a councillor and Vocational Impact provided me a reference. I’m really thankful for the opportunity and support from VI.
Jasmine Mwinie
St Mary’s University Twickenham
October 2022
The Volunteers and I Became Like Sisters
I loved Ghana! The volunteers and I became like sisters! We worked on so many interesting projects, the team in Ghana were amazing and the VI team were so helpful. Now I’m back home I realise how much I miss Ghana and the kids. It was such an amazing time.
I got to learn about a totally different and new culture to me. I met so many amazing people and felt like I learned a lot about the country. Working with the children and hearing their stories and experiences really gave me a new perspective on life. I gained a greater awareness of what others go through and I felt really happy to make an impact in my own small way. I feel like my time in Ghana really helped develop me as a person.
I got to learn about a totally different and new culture to me. I met so many amazing people and felt like I learned a lot about the country. Working with the children and hearing their stories and experiences really gave me a new perspective on life. I gained a greater awareness of what others go through and I felt really happy to make an impact in my own small way. I feel like my time in Ghana really helped develop me as a person.
Sophie von der Heyden
University of Cologne
September 2022
This Place is Something Really Special
My time in South Africa was an amazing experience and this place is something really special. The mothers and children in the village were incredibly welcoming and friendly. Everyone was thankful that they were receiving help from the outside.
I was involved in many exciting projects. I planned mental health awareness workshops, helped to reopen the village library, learned from the community councillors, worked on community outreach projects which included daily support groups for recovering addicts, and I was also involved in a community mapping project in an informal settlement to find out the residents needs.
I am really thankful to have had the opportunity to help the people in these communities. It was incredible listening to people talk about their motivations to change their lives for the better and to witness the strength and bravery they all have. I sincerely hope that our small contributions made a positive difference.
I was involved in many exciting projects. I planned mental health awareness workshops, helped to reopen the village library, learned from the community councillors, worked on community outreach projects which included daily support groups for recovering addicts, and I was also involved in a community mapping project in an informal settlement to find out the residents needs.
I am really thankful to have had the opportunity to help the people in these communities. It was incredible listening to people talk about their motivations to change their lives for the better and to witness the strength and bravery they all have. I sincerely hope that our small contributions made a positive difference.
Lotta von Halem
University of Exeter
July 2022
Study, Travel and Work Experience
I did the Psychology & Mental Health programme in Ghana as part of my work placement for my uni degree. It was really cool to be able to combine studying, travel and clinical work experience.
We did so much on the placement and met so many amazing people! We worked at the local health centre with the mental health unit and learned about the process of referral, diagnosis and treatment. We also joined community outreach projects and got the opportunity to meet with doctors, nurses and patients at a psychiatric hospital, as well as doing counselling sessions with the kids.
I made some great friends, got to explore the magic of Ghana and gained valuable life and career experience.
We did so much on the placement and met so many amazing people! We worked at the local health centre with the mental health unit and learned about the process of referral, diagnosis and treatment. We also joined community outreach projects and got the opportunity to meet with doctors, nurses and patients at a psychiatric hospital, as well as doing counselling sessions with the kids.
I made some great friends, got to explore the magic of Ghana and gained valuable life and career experience.
Phoebe Rabjohns
Bournemouth University
June 2022
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