2. International Youth Volunteer Programme
I took part in the British Red Cross’ International Youth Volunteer Programme where I volunteered in Manderfeld, Wallonia in Belgium. I was at a centre where asylum seekers were provided with accommodation and support.
Part of my project involved social assistance, helping people learn about migration, refugee status and human rights. Aside from this I supported asylum seekers on different activities, for example, I regularly took a football team to their tournament matches, and spent time and supported them.
I studied development, and I have an interest in conflict management, so when I found this opportunity to work with the Red Cross to help people fleeing conflict and persecution I was really inspired. I want to work in conflict management, so working with the Red Cross has been really valuable in that I can learn from people’s different experiences and stories.
Everyone I’ve met has been very welcoming, and people are always willing to show you their country. The people and the culture are what make you want to stay. My favourite thing about Belgium is how open-minded and friendly people are.
My advice for anyone interested in joining the International Youth Volunteer Programme is really try and embed yourself in the culture. Reach out to people and ask them about the culture of the country you’re staying in! If you want to explore you have to leap out.
Andrew Myerscough now works at the centre in Manderfeld and supervises EVS volunteers as part of his job.

3. Volunteering ideas in the community
As snow and freezing temperatures hit Britain in January, myself and a small group of my friends decided to hang a couple of warm coats on a clothes rail outside a church in London. We placed a sign alongside the rail which read: “Are you cold? Take one. Like to help? Leave one.” What happened next was remarkable.
By the afternoon the clothes rail was almost full. People living and working near Exmouth Market had donated jackets and coats as well as gloves, hats, scarves and blankets and passing homeless people were helping themselves to whatever they needed.
As well as the clothes rail, people donated ‘pledge cards’ which offered homeless people free food, drinks and other services. These pledge cards can be bought by locals from shops at a discounted price or donated by shop-keepers.

4. SocialQuestion 3
Moral Question 1
Spiritual Question 3