Sophie Thompson

Volunteer work at dog boarding and day care where I had to assist with multiple jobs and tasks. For example:

• Feeding dogs - Ensuring that all dogs received proper and sufficient meals by preparing each one based on their individual requirements
• Cleaning kennels - This involved cleaning out any food that was not eaten from previous meals, providing hygienic areas to rest and sleep
• Supervising dogs - Managing dog socialisation in outside play areas, ensuring safe and stimulating environments
• Dog handling - This included safe transitions of dogs between their kennels and outside areas

During Silver DofE, part of the award included volunteering, where I decided to write letters to isolated elderly people. I would write to multiple individuals on a weekly basis in order to lessen their feeling of isolation. From this experience I:

• Gained communication skills
• Improved my empathetic skills towards people who are less able to socialise
• Learnt the importance of other people's life experiences
• Realised the benefits and impacts of learning from older generations