LIFT OFF Testimony: Beki Mpofu
I have been involved with LIFT OFF since LIFT OFF to Success 2007, and have gone on to volunteer in school workshops and at the very first Great Big LIFT OFF Conference!
I was first introduced to LIFT OFF by a friend who had worked at LO2S in 2006. She showed me photos of students and pupils interacting together and having fun which really made me want to experience it for myself. LO2S 2007 was based at McIntosh Hall in St Andrews where I stay so it was brilliant for me. It was great to get the chance to work with younger people and let them see what student life is all about!
The LO2S week was great fun. It gave the young people a unique opportunity to meet with their peers from other schools and make loads of new friends who I know still keep in touch with each other. We visited different colleges and universities during the week which allowed the pupils to gain a really valuable insight into what it would be like to be a student, both academically and socially (just as important!) This really was a rare chance for the young people to familiarise themselves with different institutions and explore course options from a practical perspective before applying for college or uni.
I found the week as rewarding as the pupils! It was great to meet students from different colleges and universities who were working with us – we all felt valued by LIFT OFF staff and worked well as a team right from the start. Each student was given a group of pupils at the start to lead throughout the week and it was fun to build up good relations with them, taking part in the activities, talking to them about their goals and giving them a flavour of my life as a student.
The workshops are great too because you’re able to work with a far larger group of pupils than those at LO2S, while at the same time seeing some familiar faces! Student participation is just as important in the workshops. Giving the pupils the chance to interact with you, ask questions and in turn pass on some valuable information about what it’s really like to be a student is a very rewarding thing to do. It’s also a lot of fun to take part in the workshop activities and games, not to mention informative (did you know the former Scotland rugby captain did a Business Studies degree at Abertay University?!) It’s also a good break from my normal academic routine.
I am glad to be a part of LIFT OFF as I feel I am helping young people make positive choices about their future, and having some fun at the same time! Can’t be bad, can it?
