Volunteering case study: Wennan Wei

Wennan, student from China, initially volunteered as the route marshall during the Tour De Tang Hall event in June 2014. She stated that taking part in the event enabled her to meet people from different cultural backgrounds and understand them more.

For her, it was a gateway to assimilation with the local community.

'I have had some very meaningful experience when doing the litter picking, although I felt a little shy at the beginning... The volunteering is good to both the neighbourhoods and the environment and takes not much efforts and time.'

She enjoyed it greatly and decided to take up other volunteering opportunities with us.

Wennan participated as volunteer litter picker, joined the consultation on our new website and attended the induction for Youth Offending Team volunteers.

Litter picking along Bootham Terrace, where Wennan used to live during her study, has resulted in improved communication skills and self-confidence.

'I am less shy now than before.'

Wennan graduated recently and went back home to China. She is planning to renew her visa and come back to York to pursue her professional career.

'I hope that volunteering projects will become more and more popular among different communities.'

Also see

• Volunteering opportunities directory
• Volunteer with us
• Volunteer snow wardens