I have been a Digital Marketing Volunteer at Boston Manor House since November. It is a historic house in Brentford, built for Lady Mary Reade in 1623 and owned by the Clitherow family from the 1670s until the 1920s. Its beautiful restored historic interiors, including breathtaking original ornate plasterwork, are joined by two community exhibition galleries and meeting rooms.

Volunteering during my time at university was something I wanted to do for several reasons. I saw it as an excellent opportunity for personal growth. I wanted to learn new skills, expand my horizons, and challenge myself in diverse ways.

At the beginning of my first semester at university, I attended a Volunteering Fair organised by the Volunteering Team, where I got the chance to meet Anna, the Volunteering Manager at Boston Manor House. I joined the Boston Manor House Digital Marketing volunteer team in November 2023. My main responsibility is to create innovative ideas about how to digitally promote the House and its different activities and events. My expertise is making videos and reels for social media, which is one of the best parts of working on this project.

Being a volunteer has given me an opportunity to work on a passion project, in parallel to my university studies. Making videos for the project and collaborating with fellow volunteers has further developed my teamwork skills, whilst learning and developing my knowledge in marketing. I am also gaining valuable experience in leading discrete creative briefs. Recently, I proposed creating a ‘How to get here’ reel, which I wrote the script for and narrated with support from Anna and a fellow volunteer.

Volunteering at Boston Manor has also given me an opportunity to interact with people. During the Student Volunteering Week Fair at the University of West London, organised by the Volunteering Team in February 2024, I got a chance to represent Boston Manor House at their stall. I interacted with different students and encouraged them to volunteer at the House. I also got a chance to meet with other volunteer managers from different organisations.

On a personal level, I have grown in confidence and developed my soft skills through this volunteer experience. I believe that volunteering can profoundly impact my future career in numerous ways. Firstly, it provides a platform for me to explore my interests and passions outside of my professional domain, allowing me to develop a more holistic skill set. Volunteering also allows me to connect with professionals, organisations, and communities outside my usual circles. These connections can expand my professional network, providing access to mentors, peers, and potential employers who may offer valuable insights, opportunities, or references in the future.