Students in national top 5 for global mental health volunteering
As of 2018, our University is the 4th highest academic institution in the UK for student sign-ups to international volunteering placements with mental health-focused organisation SLV.Global.
SLV.Global’s Mental Health placements were created in 2010 by psychology students and graduates with the aim of providing valuable hands-on experience in the mental health sector to those with all levels of experience. They currently offer placements in Sri Lanka, Bali and India.
Chandini Subramanyam, a psychology student at the University, was heavily involved with SLV.Global’s mental health focused initiatives in Sri Lanka last year, and is now an SLV.Global ambassador at Leicester. Later this year, Chandini will be travelling to India to take part in SLV.Global’s Clinical and Ancient Psychology Program.
During her 5 week placement in Sri Lanka, Chandini was an Activity Support Worker, running therapeutic activities at inpatient psychiatric facilities and residential centres for individuals with a wide range of disabilities. She also undertook a supporting role in the wider community- helping local youths with their spoken English skills.
Chandini said: “SLV.Global was a life-changing, eye-opening experience. To have made a difference to people who need help over in Sri Lanka and that too in such a small time-frame is something I will take with me forever.”
Fellow SLV.Global ambassador and student at the University of Leicester Megan Dunnage added: “I took part in a 5 week placement in Sri Lanka during the summer of 2017. The placement encapsulated everything I love about psychology and gave me the opportunity to see it in reality.
"It allowed me to explore different areas of interest and confirmed what I want to do as a career. Every day was different and a challenge in its own way but so rewarding. It felt like we were really making a difference, even if it was just seeing someone smile or interact. It is definitely the best thing I've ever done and am already looking at going back after I graduate!”
Kate Mason from SLV. Global added: “We absolutely love having students from the University of Leicester volunteer with us in Sri Lanka, Bali and India. Students from Leicester consistently make excellent volunteers: their knowledge of Psychology and mental health, enthusiasm, commitment and positive attitude is always recognised and is extremely valuable to the work we do. Since 2016, we have had 26 Leicester students join us on placement and we have been really impressed - we are really excited to welcome 32 more students to the team in 2018!”
- The University's Career Development Service has supported the recruitment of student volunteers for SLV.Global to enable students to gain valuable work experience for Psychology-related careers. Participation in volunteering activities can be used to complete the Leicester Award.
- Any students interested in placements with SLV.Global or similar opportunities can email careershelp@le.ac.uk