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Apprentice star Claire highlights the power of volunteering with CSV
Claire Young (right) with Jiselle Steele at CSV in London |
Claire Young, former contestant on BBC One's The Apprentice, has once again been helping to raise awareness of CSV and the benefits of volunteering. This month Claire, along with CSV Volunteer Manager Jiselle Steele, have been busy promoting CSV through interviews on local BBC and commercial radio stations across the UK.
Claire says "As a business owner
and BBC Apprentice finalist I know first hand the power of volunteering to help your CV stand out from the
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crowd in a competitive jobs market.
If you are looking for a job, volunteering shows employers that you've done more than just sit around and volunteering is a great way to get you noticed because the experience develops skills, boosts job prospects and increases employability.
Sir Alan Sugar himself has said recently: 'Companies aren't taking on people that get lost in the background.'
With graduates facing the toughest jobs market for a decade, I want to encourage people between the ages of 16-35 to give volunteering with CSV a go to ride out the credit crunch."
Our thanks go to Claire for her help in promoting volunteering with CSV. |
Carlos says the world is his oyster after volunteering with CSV!
 Carlos Anaia, 32, from Middlesex, is volunteering for 12 months at a school for children with autism in Powys. He recommends CSV for those looking to gain experience and do something different.
Here Carlos talks about his experience as a CSV volunteer.
"After 4 months of volunteering I have to say that this is one of the best choices I have ever made in my life. I was placed at a residential school for children with autism. My duties are varied, helping in classes, taking students out on trips, helping them get dressed in the morning. Every day is different as each day I volunteer alongside different staff members and students.
 My own boundaries have been lifted and the old cliche 'the world is your oyster' now really makes a lot of sense to me.
I feel I have leaned a lot, especially about making relationships with people, in this case children with severe learning difficulties. I've learned how to communicate by signing, using 'makaton' for those who cannot express themselves verbally. The school provides a lot of support and in-house training so there is a big emphasis on personal development which I embrace.
I would recommend volunteering with CSV to anyone who is open minded and looking for something new in their life. It's taken me away from my comfort zone of living in London and put me in a new environment. It has taught me that I do want to continue in Social Care and pursue the idea of doing a Social Work degree. It's given me confidence and made me realise that I can really go anywhere in the world and live and work wherever I like. My own boundaries have been lifted and the old cliche 'the world is your oyster' now really makes a lot of sense to me."
Volunteer Ambassadors Needed!
We know many of our volunteers hear about CSV through other volunteers. Carlos is just one of our CSV Volunteer Ambassadors who helps to raise awareness in his local area of the many opportunities for young people to get involved in Full Time Volunteering with CSV. If you are a current or former CSV volunteer and could help by representing us in your local area at events, giving out leaflets or perhaps giving a talk at a school, please contact us.
Could you be a CSV Full Time Volunteer?
We need volunteers to start now for projects across the UK. Full Time Volunteers are aged 16-35 and volunteer away from home for a period of 4-12 months.
Volunteers receive:
• Accommodation
• Subsistence (which includes food and money to live on)
• Support from CSV
• A certificate at the end of the placement
How to contact CSV
For more information about CSV Full Time Volunteering contact us quoting 'BTNJUN'
0800 374 991
www.csv.org.uk/ftvol
volunteer@csv.org.uk
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The CSV Volunteer Interview
Ya Ling Shih, 30, from Taiwan recently completed a 12 month placement supporting a young woman with a progressive disease to enable her to live independently in her own home.
Q: Describe a typical day at your project
A: The person I support has a condition which means that she cannot speak and cannot do most physical tasks on her own so I help with various things that she cannot do around the home.
I normally start the day by waking her up, helping her out of bed and enabling her to wash and get dressed. I then make breakfast and help to feed her. I also might go with her to the hosptial or out shopping or to a gig.
Q: What have you enjoyed most about volunteering?
A: I enjoyed living with my flatmates who are from different cultures and backgrounds. For example we had a party of celebrate Chinese new year and had lots of typical Chinese food which was great fun.
Q: What have you learnt about yourself while volunteering?
A: Volunteering has helped me to realise what I'm good at and which jobs I'm interested in. I'm also more confident talking about how I'm feeling.
Q:What items would you suggest that other volunteers pack in their rucksack?
A: I would recommend volunteers bring a map to show people where they are from. Also bring your favourite recipe, a good book and some music and things which you can do in your spare time.
Q: Do you have any tips for other volunteers?
A: If you're careful with the money you get you'll be fine. I normally cook for myself and I also don't drink a lot which helps!
Q: What would you say to others thinking about volunteering with CSV?
A: It's a really good experience! You get to know yourself more and gain new skills. It's definitely worth doing!
Q: What are your plans for the future?
A: I would like to go travelling and find a job in a charity. I wanted to work in charity before, but now I really want to because I understand myself better and know the type of job I will enjoy.
You can meet more CSV International Volunteers like Ya Ling when you become a Full Time CSV volunteer with us!
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