Above: Dame Allan’s Sixth Form Students (and Community Volunteers) mark Volunteer Day 2025. (L-R – James Sudlow, Fiona He, Amelia McCormack and Menuk Alawattegama)

From care homes to charity shops, teenagers at Dame Allan’s Schools’ Sixth Form are making a real difference. On International Volunteer Day, we highlight how their commitment not only supports local communities but also bolsters their own skills, aspirations and future careers.

Volunteering isn’t just an extra on the timetable at Dame Allan’s Schools, it’s an integral part of the Sixth Form experience. Every week, pupils in Years 12 and 13 dedicate time to supporting local communities, from care homes and primary schools to charitable initiatives across the region. Some choose this path instead of games, while others organise placements themselves, gaining experiences that build practical skills, foster empathy and support their future career aspirations.

Here, four Sixth Form pupils share their experiences and explain how volunteering has helped them connect with others and grow in ways that will benefit them long after school. 

Amelia McCormack: Connecting with residents at Sutherland Court Care Home

Amelia volunteers at Sutherland Court, a care home in Newcastle, where she supports residents through activities, conversation and companionship.

“I chose to volunteer at Sutherland Court because I wanted to develop skills like empathy, patience, communication and emotional awareness,” Amelia explains. “I’m passionate about making a positive impact wherever I can, and helping residents find joy, whether through activities or just talking, felt really meaningful.”

A typical session begins with a check-in with one resident who is over 100, whose love of social interaction has led to a strong bond between him, Amelia, and the other volunteers. After that, she spends time with the wider group, assisting with everything from games and film sessions to one-on-one conversations.

“What I enjoy most is getting to know the residents’ personalities and learning from their life experiences,” she says. “Listening to their stories is incredibly interesting, and I love seeing the difference in perspectives each resident brings.”

Studying business, history and psychology at A Level, Amelia sees the skills she gains at Sutherland Court as directly relevant to her future ambitions in law. “Volunteering has helped me become a better active listener and develop the ability to adapt my approach to different individuals – skills that will be really useful when I study law and work with clients in the future,” she says. 

One moment from her volunteering stands out. “In my first week, I met a resident who loves playing the piano, singing and dancing. She performed a piece for us, and seeing the joy it brought her was truly heartwarming – it’s a memory I’ll always carry.”

Menuk Alawattegama: Supporting veterans in South Shields

Year 13 pupil Menuk spends his Wednesday afternoons volunteering in the South Shields branch of  Veterans at Ease, a charity that has shops across the North East to raise funds to support veterans, reservists, serving military personnel and their families.

“I wanted to volunteer to make a difference, and to get experience under my belt,” he says. “I wasn’t sure at first if I would enjoy it, but I really love it– just talking to different people while working on the till is really nice.”

Menuk sees volunteering as an essential part of preparing for a future in medicine. “It’s important to show that you’re willing to give your time to others. Medicine is a tough career, and you have to be compassionate,” he explains.

For Menuk, the benefits extend beyond his CV. “What I value most is the overall gratification and experience of it. The things you learn, the people you meet – it’s really lovely.”

Fiona He: Mentoring in the Junior School

Fiona gives her time on Wednesday afternoons to help younger pupils at Dame Allan’s Junior School, supporting Year 2 pupils in spelling, writing and classroom activities.

“I’d worked with primary school children before, so I knew I’d enjoy it,” she says. “Now I get to see them regularly and really build connections.”

She describes the role as both rewarding and challenging. “Working with six- and seven-year-olds has helped me develop patience and communication skills. If you can explain something to a six-year-old, you can explain it to anyone!” she laughs.

Like Amelia, Fiona believes volunteering complements her ambition to study law. “It’s helping me to explain things clearly and deal with different people – skills I’ll definitely need in my career,” she says. “And it’s fun! Even if the weather is miserable or I’ve got work to do, I always enjoy my time volunteering.”

James Sudlow: Learning life skills at Café 16

For James, volunteering at Café 16 with the Oswin Project has been an eye-opening and rewarding experience. The Oswin Project supports people with criminal records, helping them access employment and training.

James spends his volunteering sessions learning the ins and outs of café work, from making coffee to operating an industrial dishwasher. But the lessons go far beyond practical skills. “What I enjoy most is the atmosphere,” he explains. “The café feels really friendly, and it’s a great place to meet new people. It’s also nice to feel helpful, like I’m using my time well.”

Volunteering has also given James new perspectives on life. “I’ve learnt a lot about how life is different for people from backgrounds very different to my own. Working with them can be rewarding and interesting because of those differences.”

James also agrees that volunteering supports his future career aspirations.  He says: “I’m hoping to study medicine after sixth form, and volunteering with a range of people from different backgrounds is helpful for both my application and, hopefully, my medical career.”

For those considering volunteering, James has some advice. “It really is what you make of it. Put in the effort to find a placement that suits you and get along with the people there – it’ll pay off many times over. Don’t be afraid to try something a bit unusual; you never know what might end up being really rewarding.”