May 31, 2023
An interview with our Advisory Board Member
Come to volunteer or do your placement or work experience with us!
May 02, 2023
.jpg)
We welcome people to come to volunteer with us or to have a placement to help them gain qualifications at a higher level.
Currently, we’re delighted that a student is helping Dream The Change while on placement from the University of Essex.
Rekha Syamalakumary is a first-year Social Work student and is doing 70 days placement with our Community Interest Company as part of her two-year course.
Her long-term ambition once qualified, is to work “for the welfare of Special Needs Children (SEND) and their families and the LGBTQ+ community.”
During her placement with Dream The Change, her duties and responsibilities include supporting special needs children and their families by addressing the challenges they face.
“I’m really enjoying my placement with Dream The Change,” said Rekha, aged 33. “They have a great feeling of unity among the members of the organisation and they have a good network.
“My role involves collecting feedback from parents after seminars and workshops. I attend the Sports Sessions and other activities provided by the organisation and help to plan interventions to uplift children and their families.
“Originally, I just observed how the children engage with the sports but now join in with their activities.
“I also assist the organisation in its development by finding out which, resources can facilitate the growth of organisation, as well as the service users.”
Originally from India, Rekha also enjoys identifying the areas which could be developed within Dream The Change by collecting feedback from the support group members about their activities for special needs children, teaching resources, and recent research breakthroughs in the SEND field.
Rekha added:
“I think Dream The Change is providing valuable support to the children and their families by conducting training and providing chance for them to network with other organisations and each other.
“Dream The Change is helping parents and carers by creating awareness about their rights and by helping to understand their needs and suggesting appropriate interventions for their contacts’ welfare.”
Dream The Change Trustee, Paulina Rangel is acting as Rekha’s supervisor during her placement and praised the student for her hard work and enthusiasm.
“We’re enjoying having Rekha with us and her help is valuable to us.
“We would welcome anyone to volunteer or have a work placement with us as it will help them gain experience to get a job and it helps us have extra helping hands.”
If you would like to volunteer with us, please send a details with your CV using the contacts form on our website.
Other News
March 29, 2023
Funding for Respite Carer is Greatly Improving Lives
The lives of special needs children and their families are being transformed, thanks to Dream The Change introducing a carer to their community. Daniela Eyong started work providing light touch respite care for families with SEND children connected with our Community Interest Company in May 2022.