Before university I had volunteered as part of completing my Duke of Edinburgh Award and through enrichment activities with my school. Giving back to my community had grown from an extracurricular activity to a regular part of my routine. In my first year, I spent much of my time settling into different societies and finding my place in the city. I dipped in and out of volunteering days until I found Vision Care in Manchester. Not only did it align with building experience within optometry, but it was something completely out of my comfort zone!

Unlike volunteering at secondary, suddenly I was entrusted with sensitive information and relied upon to safeguard vulnerable adults. Even in my initial training days, I felt like the team I was part of was able to make an immeasurably positive impact, not just on vision, but the quality of life of an individual. These experiences incited reflection on my own privilege; advocating for their right to accessible eye care alongside the clinics has proven just as vital. As President of Optometry Society, I was able to organise a sponsored hike in the Peak District in aid of the charity, which had a brilliant turn out. It allowed me to get to know other students in different years, which both raised funds and awareness to the charity. After this trip, many others signed up to volunteer as well. Without volunteering I wouldn’t have been able to get to know so many people in the year above me that do the same thing! 

As a student, it's helped improve how I interact with patients. For example, when taking histories and symptoms, I grew to learn how to actively listen and empathise with patients. I didn’t expect volunteering to help me so much with building trust and a rapport with patients when my main role is dispensing. 

Volunteering in a clinic has also brought me the opportunity to compare my experiences across university clinics, retail clinics and Vision Care - culminating a more developed understanding of the variety of settings that optometry exists in. I find that this also is critical in giving me unique insights that aid in my applications for future placements, as well as make me less anxious in explaining things during interviews.

On top of this, I have completed NHS certificates alongside my volunteering - for example, safeguarding training that is applicable to any future work experience placements within optometry.

Although managing my time was initially rather stressful, I think, as a student, finding routine with regular activities really helps me balance my work effectively and helps me settle in quickly after a break. 

The more you do, the more people you meet. I really enjoy talking to optometrists about their different career paths, as well as their general knowledge in different environments. I find this both helps me realise what I may want to pursue in the future and try methods of revising that they used when they were studying!