Primary school volunteer Luke Demetri tells us about his experience with LUSU involve so far…

What is the best event you have taken part in for involve?

The Torrisholme Maths day! There was lots of fun activities and we had to the whole school which meant a good range in ages. They all seemed to enjoy it a lot.

The look on a child’s face when they finally understand something, or when they are doing something fun whilst learning something new is amazing.

Have the experiences you have had with involve helped you work towards your career goals?

I started volunteering because I am considering applying for a PGCE next year and the volunteering events have helped me confirm that teaching is definitely what I want to do. The volunteer days have helped provide me with experience in schools and with children.

What kind of impact do you think our volunteer work in schools has for pupils involved? 

I always remember, when I was in school, volunteers who used to come in and do similar things and you look up to those people and think ‘I can do that too’. I definitely think that by going into a school as a student we can give children and young adults high aspirations regarding university or whatever field they may wish to follow.

What would you say to someone who was thinking about volunteering as a schools volunteer but wasn’t sure if it was for them? 

Definitely do it, even if you have no intention of going into teaching. The look on a child’s face when they finally understand something or when they are doing something fun whilst still learning new things is amazing. It really is a fun way to get away from all your worries at uni and to help others. You will not forget it.

Have you gained any leadership experience?

The day at Ellel was really fun – my job was to lead the glass stained windows activity which was really enjoyable watching them paint christmas tree’s and birds and father Christmas. They all seemed really impressed that they were making glass stained windows (which light could shine through) especially Christmas related ones. Mind you, most of the paint didn’t end up on the paper but rather me. My favourite moment of the day, though, has to be when, after saying that I come from London, one boy asked me if I was around to see the great fire of London in 1666!