“As a student, volunteering for Shout helped me build valuable experience” - Abigail’s story
The flexibility and remote nature of volunteering for Shout allowed Abigail to work around her student schedule. With hopes of pursuing clinical psychology when she graduates, volunteering also gives her experience in a relevant field.
What made you decide to become a Shout Volunteer?
I started volunteering for Shout to gain more experience in the field of mental health, and to see whether I enjoyed it.
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As a psychology undergraduate who is interested in pursuing a career as a clinical psychologist, I thought Shout would be the perfect opportunity to build valuable experience in a similar area.
What do you find most rewarding about being a Shout Volunteer?
The most rewarding thing about volunteering for Shout is knowing that I can help someone who is feeling distressed move to a calmer state. Each texter has had their own experiences and therefore supporting one texter is not the same as supporting another. Working with a texter to identify what they need most in that moment of distress, and deciding how they can address that need, is a really gratifying experience.
It is also rewarding knowing that texters trust me enough to be able to share their experiences with me.
What are some of the challenges you’ve experienced?
Many of the conversations I have taken have been challenging in their own ways. For example, some of the topics and experiences texters mention can be more sensitive and difficult to talk about than others.
It can also be challenging when a texter struggles to open up about their experiences. Even so, there is always someone willing and available to help me and give me support when I need it, whether that someone is my supervisor or another volunteer.
How do you find volunteering for a digital-based organisation?
I find it really beneficial to be able to volunteer remotely.
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Not having to worry about travel times and costs makes Shout an accessible volunteering opportunity for those of us who are studying. Additionally, being able to log in and do a shift whenever I am free makes volunteering flexible and easy to manage alongside my studies.
Even though I do not have face-to-face interactions with other volunteers or supervisors during a shift, I still feel that there is a strong sense of community. Through Shout’s learning hub and volunteering platform, it is super easy to communicate with others and feel like I am part of a supportive network.
Have you been able to use any of the training or skills you’ve developed as a Shout Volunteer in your day-to-day life?
Volunteering with Shout has enabled me to develop a range of useful skills. Through learning more about active listening and using it in conversations, I feel that I have developed my communication skills.
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I have found this to be useful for a variety of situations including when talking to family and friends, during presentations and during interviews.
I have also developed my ability to manage my own problems better and show more empathy and compassion towards myself. Through helping texters get to a calmer state and brainstorming ways they can be kind to themselves, I feel that I am better able to see my own issues through a different point of view. This has been useful when coping with stressful situations like exams and meeting coursework deadlines.
Lastly, through helping individuals in crisis, Shout has allowed me to confirm that I would like to continue pursuing a career in clinical psychology.
Find out more and apply to volunteer for Shout here.
