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Volunteering helps student on career path

26 October 2016

 

Volunteering has helped forensic psychology student Katie Cartwright pursue her career aspirations.

Volunteering with Middlesbrough and Stockton Mind helped Katie to gain confidence to work with offenders to research her psychology degree dissertation which achieve a First Class, win a volunteering award and work towards her chosen career.

Katie, who is studying MSc Forensic Psychology at Teesside University, started volunteering with Middlesbrough and Stockton Mind in March 2015 and became involved in work to engage with offenders through the Appropriate Adult service, which provides support to vulnerable individuals with mental health issues or learning difficulties, who are detained by the police.

Volunteers such as Katie are required to attend police stations to ensure detained persons are treated fairly, their welfare needs are met and they understand the procedures.

She said: 'Volunteering with Middlesbrough and Stockton Mind gave me the confidence to engage with offenders and help me to decide I wanted to do this as a career.'

Katie, 23, from Manchester, developed her interest in this field by working on her undergraduate dissertation focusing on domestic violence. She interviewed domestic violence perpetrators for her study, obtained by another third party organisation. Her dissertation achieved a first class.

Volunteering with Middlesbrough and Stockton Mind also brought Katie the recognition of Volunteer of the year Award 2016 in the University’s Volun-Cheers Awards run by the University's Volun-tees service, which supports students in their volunteering. She also achieved an award for over 250 hours volunteering and training and currently holds 302 volunteering hours registered on Volun-Tees.

Katie aims to become a forensic psychologist in the prison service following her master's studies at Teesside University.

Jayne Golden, Teesside University Volunteer Project Co-ordinator, said: 'We're delighted that volunteering has enabled Katie to choose her future career path and give her the skills required to reach her goal.

'Katie has been an enthuastic volunteer who deserves the special recognition she achieved through the Volun-Cheers Awards.'


 
 
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