Volunteer and Team Leader from the University of Bristol 2022/23, Faye Gordon, reflects on her experience on being a team leader:
As my experience of being a Team Leader for Play Action International comes to an end, I would like to reflect on my experience with Play Action International, my role and the amazing charity.
Play Action International is a non-profit organisation that focuses on building playgrounds at primary schools and early childhood development centres in East-Africa. These playgrounds provide vital play opportunities for disadvantaged children and provide employment opportunities in communities across East-Africa. The organisation is committed to ethical and sustainable volunteering, ensuring that its projects are inclusive and high impact. Since 2014, volunteers have helped to build over 400 playgrounds, impact over 562,000 children and provide jobs for over 80 local people!
My experience volunteering as a Team Leader for Play Action International has been a great learning experience. Not only have I learnt so much about the charity and the amazing impacts it has on all aspects of a child’s life, but I have also had the opportunity to take on tasks that have developed my confidence, organisation abilities, and a range of interpersonal skills that will benefit me in the future. For example, my role included providing an easily accessible point of contact for University of Bristol student volunteers. By ensuring that I was always accessible to provide support and answer any queries the students had, I was able to reassure the students and help minimise any unease they had towards their volunteer projects or fundraising. This in turn fostered positivity amongst volunteers, supporting them to feel more prepared and well-informed ahead of projects.
“I would recommend this role to anybody interested in volunteering, who would also like to obtain responsibility and transferable skills needed for future career prospects. Not only did this role allow for me to be a part of an organisation making significant positive changes globally, but additionally I got to have a positive impact on other students within my university”
Other tasks which I participated in included, promoting Play Action International and its volunteering projects to students at the University of Bristol. This allowed for me to generate more exposure towards the charity and therefore get more people involved in the projects. Additionally, I had the task of fundraising for my own project date, whereby I participated in a range of activities to spread the word about my volunteer project and generate donations.
For example, I participated in a group-fundraiser raising over £2,000 for Play Action International! Additionally, I had the task of setting up a group chat between all the University of Bristol volunteers heading out to Uganda this summer. This allowed them to discuss topics regarding the projects, and potentially meet other volunteers on the same start project dates. Furthermore, I arranged an online zoom calls, where we got the chance to discuss fundraising ideas together and get to know each other better.
Consequently, my time being a Team Leader for Play Action International has been memorable and enjoyable. I would recommend this role to anybody interested in volunteering, who would also like to obtain responsibility and transferable skills needed for future career prospects. Not only did this role allow for me to be a part of an organisation making significant positive changes globally, but additionally I got to have a positive impact on other students within my university. By providing support, answering queries and facilitating a positive environment amongst Play Action International volunteers, I helped to ease the stress and nerves that comes along with travelling to a new country and participating in an opportunity that takes you outside of your comfort zone.
Thankyou to the wonderful Faye Gordon, University Team Leader at Bristol University 2022/23
If you’re a student at a UK university and are interested in volunteering with us and heading out to Uganda next summer, please get in touch with Jess at jess@playactioninternational.org
Interested in being a Team leader at YOUR University for Play Action International for 2023/24 Apply here NOW!
