Become a project leader!

By Francine Gleadall

Does the thought of being a Project leader and leading a group of volunteers daunt you? Maybe you think you’re incapable of handling such a large responsibility? Do you think you couldn’t rise to the challenge? These were certainly my initial thoughts and doubts before I gained the courage and found self belief to take on the role of project leader; what an amazing experience it turned out to be!

The Hallam Volunteering project I led was ‘Fit Club’ which consisted of a group of 17 eager and enthusiastic volunteers. Throughout February and March, we introduced a programme of low impact exercises and games into two elderly residential homes in the South Yorkshire area, Guildford Grange and Bowfield Court. It was my duty to manage and co-ordinate my volunteers whilst overseeing that the project ran smoothly over the numerous weeks. I also had the demand of making sure that the deliveries of the sessions were safe and professional whilst making them fun and exciting for the residents.

It sounds like a demanding task doesn’t it? I must admit at times filling the shoes of project leader was tough. However, when retrospectively evaluating my position and the project as a whole, I was so pleased that I gained the confidence to grasp the leadership role, as the personal benefits and outcomes achieved from the project were certainly worth the sweat and hard work.

So, what were the advantages I achieved???

• It gave me a chance to develop a wide variety of skills in leadership and communication, to interpersonal and team working skills; all are essential transferable qualities that employees search for when selecting candidates for job roles.

• Another advantage was that I stood out as a volunteer. Any type of volunteering is fantastic, however if you can demonstrate that you have taken on the extra commitment to lead a project, I believe can indicate to future employers that from a relatively young age you have gained experience in higher managerial positions of work, helping you to climb up the career ladder quicker.
• By being part of Hallam Volunteering I gained the chance to apply for the prestigious Hallam Award. The award has been devised by the Hallam Union and can be awarded to anyone who is involved in student union activities. This award is to signify the hard work that you have dedicated to Hallam volunteering. Remember, this type of award will make your CV excel from the rest!

• The project leader position also enables you to gain the chance of winning the Hallam volunteering ‘Volunteer of the Year’ award, an award aimed specifically at project leaders. Luckily, I was awarded 2^nd place this year, I really felt that this award acknowledge my loyalty towards the project and my enthusiasm in making it successful.
• One of the most rewarding outcomes was that the project leader role gave me a chance to give something back to my local community; it is such a great feeling to know that you are helping others and improving their lives. Without the project leader position this service may not have been able to run inside the homes, as it is essential that someone is always monitoring the project.
• I was also given the opportunity to participate in training classes funded by Hallam Volunteering. The training I embraced was ‘Working with older people’ as this was relevant to the project I was working on. I found it extremely beneficial as I became aware of what to expect before entering into the homes.
• The role of project leader also gave me a chance to network and meet many useful contacts. These contacts ranged from members of Sheffield council, to important University employees and the Lord Mayor of Sheffield. Remember, sometimes it can be a case of not what you know, but who you know when searching for jobs.
• Finally, no matter how much you love your degree, we all know that at times you need a break from the workload and study. The project leader position gives you a refreshing and stimulating experience away from academic learning. However, at the same time the role of a project leader can benefit your degree. From having to be organised and developing effective time planning skills, I feel that this has helped with my organisation in other areas of my course.

For those of you who like the sound of being a project leader and feel that you too would like to gain these fantastic advantages. Then push any of those straying doubts aside which may be stopping you from fulfilling this role and get in contact with Hallam Volunteering on 01142 255 005 or e-mail them at hallamvolunteering@shu.ac.uk. Go on; make a change not only to your life, but also to those around you. Become a project leader and lead in 2010/2011!