This week is Student Volunteering Week 2025.
Student Volunteering Week is a national week, led by the Student Volunteering Network, that takes place across the UK. Universities and schools across the country step up to take part in the week, organising opportunities or events to encourage their students to volunteer and help their local communities.
Harriet Suter has been volunteering for Millwall Community Trust (MCT) over the past year assisting with match day activities and interventions.
Harriet Suter said: “My name is Harriet. I am a 22-year-old clinical psychology and mental health master’s student and an EDI volunteer at Millwall Community Trust.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed volunteering at the Community Trust for the past 5 months.
“Through volunteering and the community trust, I have learned various skills and gained experience which will be of benefit to future employment. Bermondsey is an area close to where I live and study, volunteering in the area enabled me to give back to the community and meet new people both personally and professionally.
“I started volunteering to gain work experience with people. My previous employment didn’t give me this, and for my future career, this will be essential.
“Encouraging young people to have fun and learn new skills while also learning new skills myself has been a great experience. I would strongly encourage anyone who can volunteer in their local community to do so.
“While thoroughly enjoying my time volunteering at the Community Trust, I was initially quite nervous as I didn’t have much experience playing football, but I was eager to learn. Through this, I have begun to enjoy both watching and playing the sport.
“I have continued volunteering as there is a sense of personal fulfilment but I also believe my mental well-being has improved since volunteering. With a busy university schedule volunteering is something I look forward to on the weekends.
“Through volunteering I have learned a variety of skills from problem-solving through unexpected challenges to boosting my self-esteem by developing new skills and handling new responsibilities.”
