A group of young people taking part in our Positive Transitions Curiosity Club

A day in the life of a placement student

Bobby VeitchNews

Becky and Hannah have been supporting us this year as social work placement students. They've helped provide a safe space for young people to express themselves and gained a wealth of knowledge.


This Volunteers Week, we’re pulling back the curtain and showing what it’s like to live a day as one of our Positive Transitions VIPs (volunteers, interns and placement students). Youth Work Volunteers and placement students support children and young people in their transition from primary to secondary school as part of our Positive Transitions service.

No two placement students are the same; all come from different backgrounds but have a shared love of helping people.

Becky originally studied music as her undergraduate degree, but post-graduation, she realised she wanted to help people around her. This is in part thanks to the work and volunteering she had been doing throughout her degree.

On the other hand, Hannah always knew she wanted to support children ever since she could remember. She channelled this positive energy into her undergraduate degree and is incredibly proud of the progress she has made in the first three years of her time at university.

Becky's day

As part of her placement, Becky supported a lively lunchtime club group session. She created a game to help the kids open up to each other about how they were feeling. She wrote questions on Jenga blocks to help learn about their worries, concerns and what they enjoy.

These questions started to break down barriers, and over time the young people started interacting with each other without the Jenga blocks, becoming friends and helping each other feel comfortable. Becky’s idea has inspired other placement students to do the same in their sessions.

Youth Workers and young people in action during our summer programme

Hannah's day

Hannah has learned over her placement that while we focus on the transition to secondary school, the support can impact all parts of a young person’s life.

One of the young people she was supporting wanted to learn about road safety. They spent afternoons walking from their home to primary school and then to secondary school to help familiarise themselves with their journey. It was important to Hannah that she kept them safe and made them feel comfortable with the change in school route.

"It was a very enjoyable experience; I’ve learnt a lot from it. Overall, it’s been a really nice organisation to be part of.”
Hannah

A valuable lesson

As their placement ends this summer, Hannah and Becky will return to their degree with a great deal of knowledge in hand and a burning desire to start their subsequent placement after such an enriching and enjoyable first one.

“Sometimes you have to do what you can, it’s great to have ideas, but on occasion, you need to be practical to ensure you are providing the best support; once you come to peace with that idea, you’ll be able to have more productive sessions."
Becky & Hannah

Hannah and Becky have both adored spending time with young people and seeing their progress and relationships grow within a family. Their support has been fantastic and greatly appreciated by those whose lives they’ve touched during their time at People Know How.

You too can support young people by joining our team of Positive Transitions VIPs as a Youth Work Volunteer and making a difference to young people’s lives across Edinburgh and the Lothians.