Student volunteers tell how DMU Square Mile has changed their lives

Students who volunteered their time to help others across Leicester and Leicestershire have told how it has improved their confidence, boosted their CVs and enriched their lives.

A snap poll was carried out among De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) students who volunteer through the DMU Square Mile programme which works to share the skills of staff and students with the community.


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DMU Square Mile runs more than 50 projects from working with communities to create opportunities for residents, providing support so young people can improve their reading, writing and mathematical ability and schemes designed to help those living with conditions such as diabetes. You can see a Facebook gallery of some of the projects here.

More than a third of students from the straw poll of 50 had never volunteered before joining DMU and becoming part of the DMU Square Mile.

Results included:
•    92 per cent said they felt more confident in their own ability after volunteering
•    91 per cent were willing to try new things as a result
•    84 per cent said being part of DMU Square Mile had enhanced the student experience at DMU
•    80 per cent said volunteering had given them skills which employers value
•    80 per cent said their sense of “feeling part of DMU” had increased thanks to volunteering work
•    65 per cent said they now felt part of the community in Leicester after volunteering
•    100 per cent said they would recommend volunteering to a friend

Others reported that their sense of wellbeing, confidence and ability to lead had risen as a direct result of volunteering.
 
Amy White, Project Officer, said: “This is really useful feedback from a group of students who have given their time to work in the community this year. It shows that not only do they enjoy sharing their skills to benefit others, they also develop new skills themselves, increasing confidence and employability. This is also really useful information for us to take forward to further improve DMU's commitment to providing an outstanding student experience while delivering public good for the city."

Amir Mahmood helped set a new UK lifesaving record for the Anthony Nolan Trust, working with Leicestershire charity the Rik Basra Leukaemia Campaign.

He said: “I’ve had some great experiences and done some incredible things, while at the same time spending three years studying something I love. I’m proud of what we achieved together. Volunteering opens up the chance to meet people who you would not normally meet and to achieve things together.”

RELATED NEWS:
* Find out more about DMU Square Mile and how you can get involved
* How students have transformed lives for primary school pupils
* DMU Square Mile joins campaign to make Leicester a lifesaving city

Janvi Pala is a volunteer who combines her MA study with paired reading, helping to improve literacy skills among pupils at New College in Leicester.
She said: “It is very rewarding to see the increasing development in those students who initially struggled with their reading. I have developed a good working relationship with my reading mentees and have seen them flourish while working with them.”