Volunteering at The Moonwalk London 2012

Cecilia volunteering at the Moonwalk 2012

My name is Cecilia and this is my fourth year at Kingston University. I decided to go straight from my Bachelor degree onto a Masters degree in Media and Communication. Although postgraduate courses may seem like a full-time committment to studying in the library, I have balanced my study-load with engaging in extra-curricular activities! And what’s better than feeling appreciated for volunteering  on a worthwhile cause?! The volunteering team at Kingston University Students’ Union have provided me with numerous opportunities to participate in one-off volunteering events throughout the year.


Some volunteering opportunities might be within your field of interests, some might make your CV shine, but for me the most important thing is to give back to the community. In return for this I’ve also had some  really memorable experiences.


Last month in the midst of reading, research and wild essay writing I received an email from KUSU Volunteering which caught my eye – the chance to volunteer at The Moon Walk London 2012.

Women taking part in the Moonwalk 2012

This is an event which gathers close up to 17,000 cheerful, determined and amazing individuals who complete a marathon to raise awareness and money for breast cancer research. A few days later on 12th May 2012, I found myself at a check point on a deserted street, centred between Vauxhall and Waterloo. The bright lights, immense pink tents and the pulse of the increasingly crowded Hyde Park still flash in my mind. I checked the time - it was 1:45am. I observed movement in the horizon, and suddenly hordes of women, of all ages, with colourful, sparkling and creative bras and outfits passed before me. I also saw one very independent blind teenage girl, as well as some men accompany some of the women in The Moon Walk London 2012.

So what was the actual event like from a volunteer’s point-of-view? Well we were extremely looked after by the group leaders –they were welcoming and caring; we were taken by bus to and from the tent area in Hyde Park and we were provided with a kit of necessities, including lots of food, hot drinks and snacks throughout the night. It was cold and sometimes tiring standing in one spot for the whole night, but the walkers were cheerful and we encouraged them the best we possibly could.

This volunteering experience is so valuable to me. It felt amazing volunteering at the event, predominantly because it was for such a great cause. I’m glad that my cheering and encouragement of the runners helped spur them on to do their best. I like to think that my smiles and clapping played a role in their achievement of crossing the finishing line after more than a five hours walk through the streets of London at night. 

What's it like to volunteer in a school?

Today’s blog post comes from school volunteer Joe Thomas…

My name is Joseph Thomas. I’m originally from Merseyside and study Human Geography and Sociology at Kingston. I volunteer at Southborough High School every Thursday morning, alongside my studies and part-time job.

Joe Thomas

I work across the range of 11 to 16 year olds over 4 lessons. I also assist in an ‘early morning reading group’ before school, working with 11 to 12 year olds who may be below their reading age.

I do the reading group at 8.30am. I work with an individual student who reads to me each week. We work through a series of books to accomplish our way through the reading levels- my student’s competent and eager, and it’s rewarding to be able to assist in their progress.

After that I am placed in four lessons, which are the same each week. I am made aware of ‘statemented children’ (ones who need extra help) and particularly make sure they’re keeping up and understanding the classwork, but I also assist the teacher in the delivery and productivity of that particular lesson.

I enjoy volunteering at Southborough because it’s totally different to anything else I do. I enjoy working with the students and actually getting to know them and their educational capabilities and working on improving their school life. All the students actually appreciate and respect you as a volunteer- so do the other Teaching Assistants. I feel by me being there I am able to assist students that might have not had any support otherwise,

I’m interested in going into teaching or possibly social work, and this role is really giving me an insight into the teaching profession. I love the way I get to see various teaching styles and variances in classes in the sense of ages and setting.

The Front Counter and Firearms: volunteering with the Met Police

Will acting the part of an injured victim in a counter-terrorism training exercise

My name is Will Scott-Barrett and I am a third year Criminology student. In April 2010 I started volunteering for the Metropolitan Police right here in Kingston. Over the last two years, I have taken many roles as a Met PoliceVolunteer but it is volunteering on the front counter of Kingston Police Station that has been my main role.

I have also taken on roles doing admin work, calling victims of crime to get feedback on how they were dealt with and what their feelings were about the process, and most excitingly, volunteering for Specialist Firearms Command (more commonly known as CO19).

Volunteering on the front counter takes in a wide variety of tasks that include dealing with customers who have lost or found property, reporting in for bail, handing in their driving licences after they have been stopped for things like speeding or talking on their mobile phone, and then on occasions, we deal with victims of crime. I really have enjoyed the last two years as all of the officers and staff and the police station have been very welcoming and are always willing to assist volunteers wherever they need it.

However, for me, the best moments in the last two years have been with the firearms unit. The first one was when I went on a tour of their main base and was permitted to hold some of the firearms that they use when they go on duty. Another really good moment was when was I on exercise with them as a role-play volunteer and got to meet a troop of soldiers from the SAS along with their very friendly dog ‘Killer’. My most ‘high-profile’ role was recently when I took part in a multi-agency counter-terrorism exercise that was designed to simulate the aftermath of a terrorist attack in the middle of the Olympic Period

I volunteer for the police a couple of times a week which is probably quite a lot, but I do it because it gives me a great sense of fulfilment especially when I deal with a difficult customer and manage to solve the problem they came to the police station with. I have sadly moved onto a different role in the police now (I'm currently training as a Special Constable!) but I could not recommend the role more, anyone doing it will have a really enjoyable time.

One off Volunteering

Hello I’m Natasha and at the beginning of my second year I was keen to do some volunteering, but I am studying Adult Nursing and so unable to commit to regular volunteering due to our shifts on clinical placement . However I heard about KUSU Volunteering at Freshers Fayre and was delighted to be able to sign up for one-off volunteering!! One-off volunteers receive emails regularly with details of events that are looking for volunteers, and you just email back to register your interest and then you receive all the information you need.

Natasha (5th from the left) and other volunteers from the Mini Marathon

Before I knew it I was volunteering for Great Ormond street hospital cheering on their runners in the Royal parks half marathon in Hyde Park. Since then I have also volunteered selling clothes at a clothes swap for Cancer Research, taking timings at the Kingston trials for the London Virgin Mini Marathon and as a marshall for a Miles for Missing people fun run. To some people being a marshall or cheering on runners may seem like a very trivial thing to do but the charities are always so grateful for volunteers for giving up their time and many say that the events could not run without our help.

Volunteering has definitely improved my confidence, team working skills and also taught me how to adapt to new situations, but most importantly it has got me out of the house, having fun and helping people especially during the tougher times of my course. I would urge anyone who is interested to sign up to one-off volunteering (especially my fellow student nurses!!), not only will you have fun but it is something that will look great on your CV and you can be proud to have made a difference.

From One Off Projects to Project Leader...

Hello! My name is Rachael Penzo, and I'm a third year Biomedical Sciences student, and longtime volunteer here at Kingston University.

Rachael (left) volunteering for Save the Children

I started volunteering towards the end of my first year, and I must admit, when I first came to university, I had no interest in volunteer work whatsoever. A few one-off volunteering opportunities soon changed all that, and I have been in and out the volunteering office ever since! I have walked hounds and painted kennels, made Christmas cards for Whizz Kids, and I've even waded knee-deep in the Hogsmill River! I’ve also participated in a number of projects outside KUSU Volunteering, including weed bashing for RockCorps, and chaperoning for The Big Bang Fair and Save the Children events!

But I think my most memorable experience as a volunteer has got to be running Knit Hats for Babies, a project whereby I taught volunteers to knit hats for premature babies, which were then distributed to local hospitals. The sessions gave us a break from the everyday life, the stresses of being a student, and a guaranteed way to socialise with other like-minded individuals. Running my own project taught me patience, compassion, and other transferable skills that can not only be used to help further my career, but in general social environments as well.

Rachael and friends at the Big Bang Science Fair 

I have spread the word to all my friends, and almost all of them volunteer now in one form or another! To me, doing something out of the kindness of your own heart, by giving back to the community you are so proudly part of, gives me the biggest warm, fuzzy feeling inside (and I want to share this amazing feeling with everyone!).

Volunteering is an integral part of me now; it's one of the ways I define myself. I can definitely see myself volunteering in the future, and I hope it will stay with me for the rest of my life! 

Volunteering with St John Ambulance

KUSU Volunteering's community volunteers give up an amazing amount of time doing good things in the local community. Volunteering with St John Ambulance is one of these opportunities. Gemma Napaul explains why she got involved with it.  

I’m currently in my third year at Kingston, studying Biomedical Science. Whenever I tell anyone this, and explain what my degree entails they often ask me if I want to work in a hospital, and I’ll always reply, “Well, it would be nice but, I don’t think I could handle the blood.” This was the driving force behind my decision to volunteer with St John Ambulance.

I started training to be a first aider last year and qualified within 6 weeks. Unlike normal first aid courses for work, the training is continuous. I hope the word “continuous” doesn’t put anyone off, it’s just a weekly 2 hour session where they top up your skills. You don’t have to attend every week, just once a month will do! Duties are whenever you’re available. Being from Kingston we regularly help out at AFC Wimbledon and Twickenham Rugby (England vs. Wales this weekend... Can’t wait!). We also attend Wimbledon Tennis and the fireworks when November rolls round.

In fact the picture is of me on my first ever duty at Kingsmeadow, it also happened to be the first fireworks display I’ve watched outside and not from a window! Both fireworks and first aid?! Well and truly conquered my fears that day! The uniform isn’t very flattering but it keeps me safe and means that I’m easily approachable to those in need, plus it’s free and has lots of pockets, who doesn’t love lots of pockets?!

The best part about volunteering, aside from free access to amazing events, is the people I volunteer with. I was slightly intimidated at first but all the volunteers are really lovely and understand what it’s like to be a new first aider so they’re very supportive – they’ll always encourage you to take the lead but they’ll never leave you alone!

No matter the degree you’re studying, St John Ambulance is a brilliant organisation to volunteer for. It teaches you lifelong skills such as first aid, coping well under pressure and good communication (with both casualties and your fellow first aiders). 

I have volunteered for other projects, such as Knit Hats for Babies which Rachael ran last year and the Eel Conservation project which Chris has filled you in on. I tend to opt for the lengthier volunteering opportunities but I would love to do more one-off projects as I really enjoyed volunteering at The Big Bang Science Fair, which was more fun than work!

I think volunteering is extremely important especially as paid work is often too hard to obtain nowadays and, being a student, volunteering offers more flexibility than a part-time job. It’s a great way to, not only bulk up your CV but, become more involved in the community and helping out worthy causes while learning life skills that can’t be taught. It’s great to be able to celebrate all our hard work together as volunteers as you recognise everyone's dedication. 

Student Volunteering Week 2012

Well that's it all over for another year! Student Volunteering Week took place between the 18th-24th February and during that time we had an absolute blast meeting lot's of lovely new volunteers (and some old faces) at our different taster sessions. Here's a run down of what we got up to...

Kingston Hill campus's green space and woodland got a bit of tender loving care as a hard working group of volunteers spruced up a much loved nature trail. You can find a full report on the day and why the work done is so vital over at the Bio-diversity blog!

Walking retired greyhounds at Hersham is one of our regular volunteering opportunities but once a year we make a special trip to give the kennels where the dogs live a fresh lick of paint. It's not all hard work, as well as all the painting the volunteers also got the take the dogs for a walk! Tina gave us a full update on taking part in this project which you can find here.

We also held drop in sessions on campus with Knit for Peace and to make bunting for local community organisations. Both provided a great opportunity to meet new people and take a break from lectures whilst doing something useful for others. Perfect!


You can find all the pictures from the events on our Facebook page. We'd like to thank everyone that came along to one of our activities and also Chris, Christina, Farha, Tina, Natalie and Emma for providing lot's of new volunteer stories for our blog!