In the Summer of 2024, I had the incredible opportunity to spend four weeks in South Africa as part of the Gryphons Abroad 2024 team. This project engages with children in some of the most disadvantaged and hard-to-reach communities – breaking cultural, language, and gender barriers through sports and leadership activities.
One of our key initiatives was teaching children how to ride bikes, including young women and girls who, due to Zulu cultural traditions, would not typically have the chance to learn this skill. Beyond cycling, we led sports activities, leadership development sessions, and classroom-based workshops, all culminating in the pupils taking charge of their own activities.
By the end of the week, they confidently led games and exercises for their peers, demonstrating the growth and empowerment they had gained through the programme.
Reasons to volunteer
I believe that volunteering has the power to make people feel valued and included.
Initially, I thought this experience was about what I could do for others, but I quickly realised that the children were the ones teaching me.
They showed me resilience, kindness, gratitude, and humility – qualities that are exemplified in a volunteering environment. The experience was not just about giving – it was about learning, growing, and understanding the true impact of community and support.
Pushing forward with new confidence
Before this experience, I lacked confidence in teaching team sports, especially football, which is typically male dominated. However, through our coaching training programme and with the encouragement of the project leaders, my confidence grew.
The positive and supportive feedback from both the children and my peers motivated me to push myself further.
Upon returning to the UK, I applied for the FA Level 1 Introduction to Coaching Football and am now a volunteer football coach within my community. As the only woman coach at my club, I take immense pride in breaking barriers and hope to inspire other girls and women to pursue coaching roles.
Building meaningful connections
The most rewarding aspect of my volunteering experience was building meaningful connections – not only with the children and communities we worked with, but also with my fellow students.
Initially, as a mature student, I doubted whether I would bond with the rest of the group. However, our diversity became one of our greatest strengths, enhancing the experience for all of us.
Through teamwork, we discovered shared values of trust, empathy, resilience, and collaboration, forming friendships that I know will last a lifetime.
Advice for future volunteers
Volunteering is an incredible opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of others who might not otherwise have access to such experiences.
It equips you with invaluable skills – both practical and transferable – such as teamwork, flexibility, leadership, and decision-making. These are qualities that will serve you well in any career or life situation.
Balancing volunteering with other commitments may seem daunting, but with the right support system and effective time management, it is entirely possible. The rewards far outweigh the challenges, and the personal growth you experience is unparalleled. If you're considering volunteering, I encourage you to take the leap – you won’t regret it!
More information about volunteering
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Find out more about volunteering opportunities as a student at Leeds
If you’re a not-for-profit organisation in Leeds that would benefit from student volunteers, email the Volunteering Team at volunteer@leeds.ac.uk