Fast Forward: A Volunteer Perspective

Hello! My name is Emily and I have been a volunteer for Fast Forward for just over a year now, and it has been great!

I originally started volunteering to get experience in a classroom environment to help with my application for a PGDE. Volunteering and doing something new can always be a bit daunting but everyone here is very friendly and ready to help out, that you feel comfortable straight away. Before going into sessions you have to complete training which is great because you get to meet other volunteers, learn all about drugs and alcohol and the techniques used by the organisation to train peer educators.  The training prepares you really well for any sessions or planning you might do for Fast Forward,  so you are not chucked in at the deep end!

My most enjoyable activity to date was planning a one day session for a group of young people from Aberdeen who themselves wanted to set up a peer education group for themselves. Four other volunteers and I got together every week to plan the session from scratch using the resources provided by Fast Forward. It was a really enjoyable experience and hugely satisfying once we delivered the session. I got loads out of it and made me want to do more!

Volunteering for Fast Forward has provided me with invaluable experience that is relevant to teaching, but furthermore lots of other opportunities which I never expected. Currently I work with SPEN, and the lovely Rona, helping to sort and revamp the website! It is something I would never thought of doing a year ago. I would definitely recommend volunteering for Fast Forward as it offers a whole range of experiences, training and there is a lot of fun to be had.

Here is delightful pic of me at the session with the Aberdeen group. That’s me on the left!