Amber James is a third year Adult Nursing student and volunteer for Brightside, the Alzheimer’s Society and Post Pals.

Through her role with Brightside, Amber acts as a mentor to local Year 12 students who are thinking about their next steps into higher education, using her own experiences to help students’ access relevant resources and to help them make important decisions about their futures.

“Volunteering with Brightside has allowed me to share my experiences and my point of view to those who will be applying to University soon. I’m hoping that the young people will have gained more of an insight and that I was able to answer their questions. Mentoring is very fulfilling and rewarding when you help the young people with their goals and aims.”

On top of juggling her course studies, placements and volunteering with Brightside, Amber has also found the time to write letters to sick children in hospital through Post Pals and volunteer at the Alzheimer’s Society memory walk and has also been inspired to volunteer at the Alzheimer’s Society carol service this Christmas.

Amber aspires to be a nurse on a plastic surgery ward and volunteering has allowed Amber to learn increased communication, IT and emotional intelligence skills whilst also learning more about Alzheimer’s and dementia which will all aid her in her future career.

“Seeing other people volunteer is what inspires me because you can see how much a little gesture can help. I love to volunteer because it is a fulfilling and rewarding role that helps others.”

Thank you Amber for your dedication to helping others, you are an inspiration to others and a role model to so many.

For more insight into Amber's volunteering experience, read her volunteering blog here https://bit.ly/2sbr4AO