Chloe Foster

Active Student - a volunteer's experience

Chloe was studying towards a BA (Hons) Education when she started volunteering with Concordia.

“I am writing this with a huge smile of my face as I am honoured to have won joint third in the Student Community Prize Competition. I volunteered with Concordia, a local charity that hosts UK community projects. They set up, send and receive international volunteers for short- and long-term projects of all types. Projects range from restoration, conservation, archaeology,  construction, arts, festivals, children's play-schemes or teaching. 

I first discovered Concordia in February 2007 after a meeting with Active Student, which helped me to discover my interests and potential and they recommended Concordia to me. 

Later I enrolled on the Concordia Coordinator Training Course. I spent 4 days learning how to be a coordinator. My role involved leading a group of ten volunteers at a ten-day health festival project in May 2007.

I enjoyed my experience so much that when I was offered the chance to carry out an internship as part of my degree in Education I jumped at the chance and got back in touch with Concordia. I spent ten weeks with Concordia being involved in numerous roles including training, administration and advertising. Alongside my volunteering I also carried out a research project on volunteer motivations.

I am looking forward to going to Germany this September where I will take part in a community restoration international volunteer project. By going overseas I hope to gain a truer insight into more of what Concordia do.  On my return I plan to continue volunteering in their office alongside my final year of studying and can't stop spreading the word of how great volunteering is!”