Volunteering at Meath School has proved to be an invaluable experience and I feel fortunate to have been given the opportunity to work with such a talented and passionate team. From day one, I was made to feel a part of the team, and the gratitude was consistently evident. Aware of my focus for volunteering, I was encouraged to ‘get my hands dirty’ and work with the allied health team (SLT and OT) as well as with the children and teaching staff.

For one day a week, I worked as a classroom support assistant, and shadowed speech and language therapists with individual and group therapy sessions. It is satisfying to have gotten to know the children in Orange class, their individual personalities and challenges and I feel I have, in some small way, helped them to achieve and develop within the school environment.

My main intention in embarking with this experience was to understand speech and language therapy as a profession and see it in action; to gain experience which would support my applications for postgraduate study.

After three months of volunteering, not only have I learned some very valuable lessons in working with children with individual challenges, I have managed to solidify and progress with a career decision and have an abundance of happy memories to boot!

Thanks to all at Meath School for the opportunity, particularly the staff and children in Orange class. I wish you all the best of luck for the future.

- Rachel Markham

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