The Student Room Group

Volunteering at ChildLine for Medicine?

Is volunteering for childline a good place to volunteer for those that want to do medicine? What I mean is will medical schools prefer people who have volunteered at say, a hospice/care home, compared to those who have helped out in childline?

I really want to volunteer there to help young people, but I was just unsure whether it would genuinely help my application.

Any advice of people who have volunteered there previously would be much appreciated.

Thanks :biggrin::biggrin:

P.S. Sorry if this seems like a stupid question :colondollar::colondollar:
I think that anything that shows the you are working with and helping people directly over a period of time is a valuable experience so I would go for it. It is also something a bit different that may make you stand out :smile:
Original post by VioletPhillippo
I think that anything that shows the you are working with and helping people directly over a period of time is a valuable experience so I would go for it. It is also something a bit different that may make you stand out :smile:


Yeah, that's exactly what I was thinking, thanks!! :biggrin::biggrin:
Original post by thesuperdark
Yeah, that's exactly what I was thinking, thanks!! :biggrin::biggrin:


No problem. I don't have any experience in medicine so others might have something else to say but that's my gut feeling :smile:
As a volunteer who finishes training next week, I'd thoroughly recommend it. It's scary but exciting to think I will be able to answer calls/chats/PIBs on my own next week. If you have any questions feel free to message me.
Original post by thesuperdark
Is volunteering for childline a good place to volunteer for those that want to do medicine? What I mean is will medical schools prefer people who have volunteered at say, a hospice/care home, compared to those who have helped out in childline?

I really want to volunteer there to help young people, but I was just unsure whether it would genuinely help my application.

Any advice of people who have volunteered there previously would be much appreciated.

Thanks :biggrin::biggrin:

P.S. Sorry if this seems like a stupid question :colondollar::colondollar:


It would be a good experience for sure, but personally I'd make sure you have some sort of face-to-face volunteering also sorted out. At the end of the day, as a doctor you will need to build up a good rapport with patients who you'll physically see everyday - it's very different to talking to someone on the phone.

So yeah, by all means do it, but if it were me I'd also be sure to sort out some volunteering in a care home, hospice etc (if you already haven't)
Original post by Democracy
It would be a good experience for sure, but personally I'd make sure you have some sort of face-to-face volunteering also sorted out. At the end of the day, as a doctor you will need to build up a good rapport with patients who you'll physically see everyday - it's very different to talking to someone on the phone.

So yeah, by all means do it, but if it were me I'd also be sure to sort out some volunteering in a care home, hospice etc (if you already haven't)


I was thinking of volunteering at a care home on top of childline, but do you think helping at a hospice would be of more value than at childline?
Original post by CharlotteMcD
As a volunteer who finishes training next week, I'd thoroughly recommend it. It's scary but exciting to think I will be able to answer calls/chats/PIBs on my own next week. If you have any questions feel free to message me.

Thanks :biggrin: btw, if you don't mind me asking, did you do the accelerated training, or did you do the weekly programme training?
Original post by thesuperdark
I was thinking of volunteering at a care home on top of childline, but do you think helping at a hospice would be of more value than at childline?


Like I say, if you can only pick one then I would go for the hospice. But if you can do both then great.
Original post by Democracy
Like I say, if you can only pick one then I would go for the hospice. But if you can do both then great.

OK, thanks for the advice :smile: really appreciate it :smile:
Original post by thesuperdark
Thanks :biggrin: btw, if you don't mind me asking, did you do the accelerated training, or did you do the weekly programme training?


I did weekly training. I would have chosen accelerated Sundays but was keen to get started ASAP and the next weekend training was a few months away.
I'm due to start on my own on shifts next week and couldn't recommend it more.
Volunteer somewhere you feel passionate about. That way, you will be able to display that passion on you PS and during interview. I don't think that they are looking for carbon copies who all did the same thing. You are showing your ability to work with/ help others and that's what matters.

All the best :smile:
Reply 12
Original post by thesuperdark
Is volunteering for childline a good place to volunteer for those that want to do medicine? What I mean is will medical schools prefer people who have volunteered at say, a hospice/care home, compared to those who have helped out in childline?

I really want to volunteer there to help young people, but I was just unsure whether it would genuinely help my application.

Any advice of people who have volunteered there previously would be much appreciated.

Thanks :biggrin::biggrin:

P.S. Sorry if this seems like a stupid question :colondollar::colondollar:


Aww youre so adorable!
Mate volunteer anywhere... Do it local. I did learning disability in school. During free periods, not sure if you get those?
Read some personal statements for medicine. Its easy to volunteer, you just need to know where to look.
Try your local hospital, say you want work experience to shadow a doctor in an X ward. Thats if you know what you want to specialise in.
Personally, would recommend you do a week in AandE if theyll take you or a more chilled out pace would be an outpatient department, but make sure its a big one :smile:
Reply 13
I would highly advise you to volunteer at an organisation that you are genuinely interested in and not to increase your chances of getting an interview.
Reply 14
Original post by thesuperdark
Is volunteering for childline a good place to volunteer for those that want to do medicine? What I mean is will medical schools prefer people who have volunteered at say, a hospice/care home, compared to those who have helped out in childline?

I really want to volunteer there to help young people, but I was just unsure whether it would genuinely help my application.

Any advice of people who have volunteered there previously would be much appreciated.

Thanks :biggrin::biggrin:

P.S. Sorry if this seems like a stupid question :colondollar::colondollar:



Work experience in clinical setting > Volunteering in clinical setting > Volunteering in slightly related setting.

If it's the best you can find then by all means go for it, but also investigate your local DGH to see if there's any volunteering opportunities on wards or in clinics.

Quick Reply

Latest