This month's blog is written by Ameena Vaseem, a student at the University of Nottingham who has been volunteering with the project as part of a partnership between the University and Sherwood Forest Trust. Because of Covid-19, she had to volunteer remotely, but as you can see she has made the most of the experience and produced a great piece of work which will be used in schools in the new academic year. Thank you Ameena!
My journey with The Sherwood Forest Trust began when I decided to take up an NAA (Nottingham Advantage Award) module called "Experience Heritage", through which, I got selected for a remote placement at this organization. Little did I know that this would lead me to a rewarding experience that would leave me with countless skills, experiences, and a great sense of accomplishment.
My project involved creating history-information leaflets about WW2 refugees that had settled in the Edwinstowe camp (in Sherwood Forest). These will then be provided to Year 7 students to be used as an inspiration to create their own art pieces later in the year. Its main aim was to impart middle school students with a welcoming mentality towards refugees by relating to the experiences of WW2 refugees.
Inclusivity is a bridge that unites communities together by allowing our unique differences to be a source of connectivity. Which is why this project is so close to my heart. It led me to use my passion of volunteering and working with other refugee kids in a manner that amplifies empathy, compassion, and inclusion.
While this was meant to be an in-person module, due to the current circumstances, it was converted to a remote placement. While this might seem like an adversity at first, I took this as a challenge and found various ways to work collaboratively with the supervisor. Through constant updates, Zoom meetings, internet-based research, this project taught me how to overcome obstacles and find simple solutions in the face of adversity.
The fact that this project focused on providing practical experience envigored me as I believe that a hands-on experience is the best way to gain valuable skills. Also, it is an effective way of standing out to potential employers. This experience did that by broadening my horizons and enhancing my cv.
Why you should volunteer at The Sherwood Forest Trust:
• Volunteering here offers you the chance to experiment and work in the heritage sector without making a long-term commitment.
• While working here, you can garner various social and networking opportunities.
• Boosts your confidence and self-esteem. This is achieved as your role in bettering the lives of others will give you a natural sense of accomplishment.
• It will give you the opportunity of participating in projects that prepare you for the real world and allow you to explore careers beyond the scope of your chosen majors.
Working here was a real eye-opener and I would highly encourage you to sign up for volunteering initiatives through their website.
We always welcome volunteers, whether for just a day on a specific task or long-term. Get in touch at susie.mcgraw@sherwoodforesttrust.org.uk to get involved!
Images courtesy of Edwinstowe Historical Society https://edwinstowehistory.org.uk/