News | LYNSEY EDWARDS -VIMPACT
For a student to commit to a day’s volunteering is quite an admirable feat, to commit on a regular basis shows extreme dedication, yet to complete 100 hours of volunteering is nothing short of awe inspiring.
But it is a feat which has been achieved by Teesside University student Lynsey Edwards who has just received the VImpact award in recognition of such an accomplishment, the first person across all sectors in Tees Valley to achieve this with VInvolved.
“I got my VInvolved certificate which is nationally recognised for doing 50 hours of volunteering” said Lynsey. “And then the co-ordinator said to go on and complete the 100.”
The Sport Science graduate realised the need of experience before she started University life at Teesside, hence doing a hockey coaching award whilst at sixth form studying a-levels in PE, Chemistry and Psychology.
Yet who would have thought at the time, that getting involved with hockey volunteering could lead to such rapid development.
“It was through the hockey coaching award that I met the hockey co-ordinator at Tees Valley sport and through networking I got involved with different bits and bobs and last summer I got an e-mail from Vickie (Vickie Todd, sport development officer at Teesside University) saying she wanted volunteers” said Lynsey.
A year on and employed at the University, Lynsey is undoubtedly reaping the rewards of those volunteer opportunities.
“To think before I joined SUNEE I had only worked with hockey, and now I lead a multi-sport project which two years ago I wouldn’t have had a clue about.”
And the list of advantages goes on.
“I’ve met so many people, just by going on courses you get to meet one person who can recommend you to another person.”
Yet, even with an ever-lasting list of benefit’s, 100 hours worth of volunteering is hard work! Especially as a lot of the clients are classed as ‘hard to reach’, a tag that Lynsey admitted she did find slightly daunting at first.
“With the homeless group, I was slightly worried, I had pre-conceptions which unfortunately is what happens in society, but the session was brilliant. It’s all just part of the experience. Now I take them to the golf range by myself and I don’t have any problems at all.”
Lynsey is just about to embark upon a fourth year at Teesside University, studying a Masters in Strength and Conditioning, which could well be her chosen career choice, but for now she is keeping her options open.
“I may work with Strength and Conditioning, but I wouldn’t mind staying in academia and going into lecturing or maybe sport development.
“At the moment I’m just enjoying the experience, I enjoy the professional environment and everything that goes with it.
“I am contracted until May next year and if the post is kept on it would be a great opportunity for someone else to get involved.
“There are so many graduates now and there aren’t enough jobs, volunteering shows an extra degree of reliability and responsibility. To turn up for something and not get paid shows level of commitment and how passionate you are about it.”
Article written by Dominic Shaw, SUNEE journalism Scholar at Teesside University
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