Julian: George House Trust - Volunteer Experience Intern

Why did you choose to do an SEI?

As soon as I found out about the SEI programme I was determined to get one. I applied for five different SEI roles. They all required different skills and provided different opportunities but the main thing they had in common was the potential for experience in an area which is normally quite difficult to get experience in, especially for just a short internship. Charities and think tanks often only provide unpaid work experience or shadowing, so it was a real positive that an internship scheme had been developed by the University for these areas.

Give a brief snapshot of your role:

My role at George House Trust was massively varied. Due to restructuring in the charity I was able to get a taste of multiple roles and was able to learn about fundraising, events planning, office admin, volunteer management and governance. My typical day would be spent at my desk, calling and emailing suppliers trying to get things organised for George House Trust's Pride Parade entry. However, much of my time was also spent co-ordinating volunteers and I got the opportunity to go offsite often in order to view the supplies that we were purchasing.

What were the most enjoyable aspects of your role?

I enjoyed seeing our hard work and planning materialise. The role gave me the opportunity to work on two major events, a fundraising documentary screening and Manchester Pride, and seeing these events come together and be successful was really rewarding. The role also allowed me to interact with a lot of people who I may not have come across otherwise, including my colleagues, the volunteers and suppliers. I really enjoyed meeting these new people and it helped me to feel better connected to Manchester and the people of the city. Finally, I enjoyed the steep learning curve of this internship. I feel so much more confident in my abilities now and I know I've learnt so many skills that will help me in the future.

Did you have any worries or concerns before your internship? Were these overcome and if so how?

I had lots of worries before I started! Ranging from "What do I wear?" to "I don't know how to make professional phone calls" and "What if I'm no good?". Most of these sorts of worries simply melted away in my first week. I picked up things from other people in the office and surprised myself with my ability to present in a professional manner. In the first week I was given plenty of responsibility but always had the support of people around me if I needed help.

What did you gain most from the role in terms of insights and skills?

I gained a massive insight into how charities work in terms of their governance and structure, how they raise money, increase visibility and provide services. I feel I've gained a lot of office skills including sending emails, making phone calls and meeting suppliers. I've also learnt a lot about the importance of networking and involvement in the community for charities.

Do you have any words of wisdom for future interns?

Take as many opportunities as possible. Make sure you keep a note of what you're doing, and remember to enjoy the experience!