Your Fresher’s Fair can be an overwhelming experience - hundreds
of societies, clubs, sports teams and charities all vying for your attention...but which ones should you sign up to??
ReachOut are a young, fun and rewarding
charity to get involved with – you’ll get just as much out of mentoring as you put in! Don’t believe us? We asked a few of our past and present student
mentors to tell us what made ReachOut stand out to them and why you should signup to volunteer with ReachOut at your Fresher’s Fair.
David, 3rd year LSE
student
How did you find out about
ReachOut?
I was really lucky and found out
about ReachOut at fresher’s fair. During the hustle and bustle of the day I
somehow picked up a flyer for ReachOut and the rest is history.
How did you sign up?
I applied online. There was a
short questionnaire about my motivations and experience with
volunteering.
ReachOut struck me as a different kind of charity. Its purpose wasn’t just academic and its structure allowed for real, meaningful connections between mentees and mentors. It seemed like a way to make an actual impact.
Do you have any advice for fresher’s signing up to mentor?
If
you have reservations about mentoring, don’t. Everyone is open and inviting and
the sessions are so much fun they can’t even be considered work. Just go in, be
yourself, and you'll surprise yourself with what you can do!
Harriet, 2nd Year Queen Mary Student
How did you find out
about ReachOut?
I attended the Queen Mary fresher’s fair, where Fran (from
ReachOut) stopped me and another two students, and talked to us!
I gave Fran my email, she emailed me, I looked on the
website at the different projects and chose one.
What made ReachOut
stand out at your fresher’s fair?
It was something different. I liked the idea of giving back
to the community I had just moved to. It's another way of exploring the local
area. and meeting new people. And it's a great way of
working with young people, but with only a small time commitment!
Do you have any advice
for fresher’s signing up to mentor?
Get ready to have some slightly bizarre conversations if you mentor Year 6's - they come out with some really funny yet sincere things, which you just have to keep nodding your head to and carry on! Also, even if you aren't feeling confident, just act confident and the young people will instantly feel more at ease and follow your lead! Remember to have fun!
Emma, 2nd year City University student
How did you find out about ReachOut?
Fresher's Fair - I ended up with a leaflet by the end of the day!
I went on the website and filled out the application form - it was easy.
What made ReachOut stand out at your fresher’s
fair?
I don't remember seeing their stall but I liked their leaflet!
Do you have any advice for fresher’s signing up
to mentor?
Go for it! It will be extremely gratifying and you will feel
that it went too quickly once it's over. It will lend structure to your 1st
year where (you'll discover) lectures don't. It helped me to focus my time more
effectively, gained my CV some incredible experience and helped me to discover
some new interests. I would advise everyone to take the time during 1st year to
take part in activities valuable for their CVs, so that if you find yourself
locked in the library in 2nd/3rd year, you still have plenty to talk about at
interviews!
Oli, 3rd year UCL student
How did you find out about ReachOut?
It was by word of mouth- one of my close friends from school and
university was involved in the ReachOut club and he recommended it to me. I was
looking for volunteering opportunities with young people, to get involved in
the local community and to develop interpersonal skills - ReachOut felt like
a perfect fit.
How did you sign up?
My friend sent me the link to the ReachOut website and I signed up
that way. I went to the office and filled out my DBS form. The training was
organised quickly and I started on my first project as soon as my DBS came
through.
What made ReachOut stand out at your fresher’s fair?
Although I didn't hear out about ReachOut from a fresher’s fair, the charity has really stood out to me because of the friendly and knowledgeable staff who run the projects and support the volunteers.
Do you have any advice for fresher’s signing up to mentor?
1. Just have fun- be relaxed, and the rest will come naturally. Hopefully this won't be too difficult as
the kids can be hilariously entertaining.
2. Be prepared to be challenged and learn from your mentee. I am
frequently astounded by the intelligence and creativity of our mentees.
Remember that mentoring is a two way process. Teaching and communicating with
people from different walks of life are good skills, eminently usable in
professional life after university.
So what are you waiting for? You can sign up to volunteer with ReachOut via our website now!
