Short story on benefits of volunteering: Sue’s Work Experience

Exposure’s autistic author, Max Ferreira’s tale on how trying new things can expand the horizons of young people like him

There was a 17-year-old autistic girl named Sue. She was at the bus stop waiting to catch the bus home after a busy day at college.

A fellow college student named Hamilton, who was doing a different course, came to the bus stop and noticed Sue looking a bit fed up.

“Hello Sue, is there something wrong?” Hamilton asked.

“As part of my foundation course, Mr Mitton and Mrs Napkin have arranged for us to do some sort of work experience at the nearby resource centre for people with disabilities,” replied Sue.

“What do you mean? That sounds really good!” Hamilton replied curiously.

“Well it didn’t sound exciting to me. I prefer to design new shoes rather than clearing out someone’s overflowing wardrobe,” said Sue.

Hamilton was very surprised with her response and said, “My grandma always says to me you can’t stick to the same plate of food forever without experimenting or you can’t learn anything without turning the pages. In other words, doing something different, as part of your course, is really healthy, as is being away from the same old classroom routine.”

I was a bit nervous when I started but I soon found my way and it was very beneficial for my mental health

“How do you know?” Sue asked Hamilton.

“Well, because I’ve done some voluntary work myself.”

He paused for a moment. Sue was keen to found out more.

“Not too long ago I was down in the dumps, with so much studying and a lot of family problems at home. I decided to become a volunteer at a youth club next to my old school. I helped the team set up activities and refreshments for children with special needs. To be honest, I was a bit nervous when I started but I soon found my way and it was very beneficial for my mental health.

The main highlight was assisting an eight-year-old autistic boy, who’s actually the younger brother of an old friend of mine. He was shy and obsessed with anything to do with Bob the Builder. But as the weeks past he slowly came out of his shell and was able to interact with other kids his age who also like Bob the Builder. He took part in some of the club’s activities, like creative drawing, playing with the Plarail toy trains and doing jigsaw puzzles.

Before long, he was a lot happier to go to the youth club with his new friends.”

Hamilton showed Sue a photo of the boy enjoying himself.

It felt rewarding seeing how much I had transformed myself

“At the end of the school year, he felt confident and thanked me with a homemade badge he had made in art and crafts.”

Hamilton paused as he showed Sue the badge of a koala saying “Can we make someone happy? Yes we can!”

“To me it felt rewarding seeing how much I had transformed myself as well as helping someone to grow and explore, and to be good company to them in their new surroundings. I might not choose it as a career but that doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy it. I still go there to help out when I’m not busy.”

Sue felt touched and said, “Wow, I never knew doing work experience or voluntary work could provide so many benefits to us all.”

“So what you’re about to start is worth giving a try. You may be be surprised at how you might like it,” said Hamilton.

Sue nodded, said goodbye and went home with a change of mind to give her work experience a go.

The first day came for Sue’s voluntary work at the nearby resource centre for residence with sensory impairment and physical disabilities within their catering department.

Mrs Napkin and Mr Mitton showed the pupils how to take orders, handle money, make sandwiches and serve hot drinks. Sue learned the importance of customer service and basic hygiene in the workplace.

The highlight for Sue was getting to know the residence, as well as new classmates on the course

When the lunch service was over, Sue and the other pupils had their lunch break before tidying up and heading back to college.

Slowly, as the weeks passed, Sue started to enjoy it. The highlight for Sue was getting to know the residence, as well as new classmates on the course. On the last week of term they served a special menu of soup and hot dogs as a ‘thank you’.

The most satisfying advice Mrs Napkin gave Sue was, “It’s good to follow your dreams despite it being hard work at times. And it’s always important to have something different to back up your career choices with, of course, lots of guidance and support.”

At the beginning of the new spring term, Sue was in the college canteen having lunch when she saw Hamilton.

“What a lovely surprise,” said Sue. “Thank you for your good advice on trying new things. I took on board what you said and the work experience was fantastic, not only for me but I felt I really made a difference.”

“I am so glad,” said Hamilton as he finished his ice cream.

Sue added, “I’m happy to be starting a new work experience this term, this time all down to your advice! Thank you again Hamilton for making me realise the importance of doing work experience or other studying that I might not feel comfortable with. It’s so worth it in the end.”