Hear from our volunteers

Read about the rewarding experiences our volunteers have had helping the NDCS. 

"My first NDCS volunteering event was a sports day in Manchester in April 2005. I was a group leader. This summer I attended a two-week residential holiday in Devon, which was great as I got to do my favourite thing - water sports activities with the children!

"When I'm not volunteering I attend Doncaster Deaf College where I'm studying for a BTEC Sports diploma."

"I work at Liverpool Tec. I’ve just completed my interpreting degree and am now a JTI (Junior Trainee Interpreter). I was introduced to volunteering by a fellow volunteer on my course who explained it would be a great way to improve my signing skills while getting to work with children. I love working with children and have two of my own.

"I thought volunteering as a communicator would just involve signing on the sidelines but its much more involved than that. It's great to be a part of an organisation that's helping deaf children be proud of what they've got, not what they haven’t! The best advice I could give to a potential volunteer is if you're here for the children and to support the deaf community the benefits will be tenfold."

"I am unable to commit to the week-long holidays as I have little boy to look after. But I have done lots of one-day events and the occasional weekend. I'm currently studying at Wolverhampton University to be an interpreter as I love using BSL. It's great to have a chat with a child that is amazed you can understand them!

"Volunteering is tiring as you have to get up early and be ready for anything but its a great opportunity to meet some brilliant people and take part in some fab activities!"

"I’m a final year a student at Bath University doing electrical engineering. I have been volunteering for NDCS as a group leader for about two years. I make sure the children are paying attention to the instructors and I act as a role model to the children. I do lots of other volunteer work such as running a deaf football team and volunteering at a deaf youth club in Bath where I live.

"Volunteering for NDCS suits me as I don't have to commit to volunteering every week or even every month. I went on a few one-day events before joining a residential project. This was a good idea as I then knew what to expect. The best bit is getting to encourage the children but I would warn volunteers who are interested in doing the residential projects it can be long hours! You need to be willing to do the activities and get involved! It's important to have sense of humour!"

"I work as Communication Support Worker in Solihull. I have been volunteering for about four years now. I have done loads of different types of events with NDCS as a communicator."

I first started volunteering to get more experience working with deaf children. Volunteering was much more fun then I expected, but more intense too! I didn't realise I would be signing more or less 24 hours a day on the residential events! The event can be challenging and it can be difficult working with lots of different kinds of kids; the hardest bit so far has been signing in the sea in a wet suit! Seriously though, I love it. It's different every time I do it! "

"I'm currently studying Computing at London South Bank university. I have volunteered at NDCS summer residential holidays for two years now. On the holidays I’m a Group Leader and it's my responsibility, along with the other volunteers and staff to help organise the activities for the children, explain any rules and generally supervise the events. I enjoy working with children and feel volunteering has improved my confidence. I attended a weekend training course before the holidays where we learned about health and safety and how to look after the children correctly."

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