SIXTH Form volunteers are helping support, empower and inspire young members of Newcastle’s West End Women and Girls Centre while gaining valuable experience as part of their community service work.
Four pupils at Dame Allan’s Schools – Ella-Rae, Annabel, Callea and Ella – volunteer their time to organise activities and fun sessions with children at the centre, in Elswick, which is accessed by more than 10,000 women and girls in the local community each year.
In its own words, the open access centre helps ‘build the power of women and girls who have been disenfranchised’ and works to create positive social change in the community.
Helping there has inspired Year 12 pupil Ella-Rae, who is studying for A Levels in History, Politics and Philosophy, to consider a future career as a human rights lawyer.
She said: “Supporting other young girls, and being able to listen and relate to them as they experience often tough times growing up, is so important to me. I feel proud and privileged to be able to spend time with and inspire them; I will always value that.”
Ella-Rae and Annabel volunteer at Tuesday Club, for children aged 5 to 11 years old, and help run arts and crafts sessions, ‘news circle’ and baking activities.
Annabel, 17, who is taking A Level Biology, Chemistry and Maths in view of studying medicine at university, said: “The centre is so important as it helps to empower women and girls. Getting to know the younger girls has been so rewarding.”
Callea, who is taking A Levels in English Language, Business Studies and Psychology, together with an EPQ, volunteers on a Wednesday with girls aged between 8 and 13.
She said: “I adore working with children and, while my main priority has been to help build their self-worth and confidence, the experience has given me so much more confidence too.
“Volunteering has given me the chance to give back to the community and make a difference. It is so worth it, when you see the sheer amount of happiness displayed by the children attending the group.”
Ella, who is taking A Levels in Theatre Studies, English Literature and Politics, in the hope of studying theatre at university, said volunteering has been very rewarding.
“I love supporting and engaging with the girls, listening to them and talking to them about the small things,” she said. “I thoroughly enjoy my time there and would recommend volunteering to everyone!”
Centre Coordinator, Huffty McHugh, said: “The girls have been a great support to the centre and really good fun in the Tuesday Club and ‘Cook it- Grow It’ groups. They have been consistent in their time commitment to the groups; we are so grateful for their help and wish them every success in their future careers.”
