In July, forth-year student Emma Marsh logged 200 hours of volunteering! 

This year, Emma has dedicated her time to multiple societies and outreach programmes for potential medical students. 

The highlight of Emma’s volunteering journey is her outreach role within the Widening Access to Medical Society (WAMS). This is a community outreach programme which helps students from diverse and disadvantaged backgrounds to get into medicine. As a student who has previously used the WAMS pathway to get into medicine, Emma has a real passion for this. Without the help that she had she doesn’t believe that she would have a career path into medicine like she does today. 

Emma also helps to run Teddy Bear Programmes which are talks and workshops in schools to help children about basic anatomy and healthcare and helps with year 10-12 school years with work experience and exam preparation for entrance exams for medical school. 

Emma has also maintained her regular shifts on Plymouth Night Patrol as a first responder, dedicating at least a few shifts per month to help out as well as helping with some of the CPD nights. When asked about the benefits of her volunteering experience, Emma mentioned that her confidence in situations has grown. Emma feels she is now in a position where she can confidently communicate and make logical actions when dealing with a medical emergency, including in placement settings. Emma believes that her time volunteering with Plymouth Night Patrol has provided her with transferable skills that she will take forward in her career after she graduates. 

Photos of Plymouth Night Patrol: 

Emma is also the Treasurer for the Paediatrics Society, in which she helps to lead academic teaching within the society, supporting students who want to expand their medical knowledge and theory. Along with a busy schedule, Emma still takes part in other societies such as Dance and Wilderness and Expedition Medicine Society, as well as having a part-time job at the SU Gym. 

In her next year, Emma is taking a step back from her Medical Degree and is doing an intercalated Masters Degree. Emma is looking forward to doing more outdoorsy activities and attending more CPD-lead activities such as conferences and talks, enhancing her knowledge for when she returns to her medical degree the following year.

To date, Emma has completed 266 hours and counting of volunteering hours, congratulations Emma you are an asset to yourself and the UPSU!