How to make the most out of volunteering at a care home

I have recently started volunteering at a care home to get work experience because I want to apply to medicine. All my parents doctor friends and uni doctor friends have suggested I write down my experience. However, the care home I work at isn't very good as in, all the residents just sit in chairs and fall asleep or watch TV all day and the care home doesn't even organise any activities for them. I am also only allowed to go in and talk to them, I am not allowed to serve tea or help out in any way.
So I was wondering what exactly I write down about my experience every week? Because it is the same? I don't exactly understand what sort of thing I am meant to be writing about?

Reply 1

TSR Hippocrates

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Reply 2

CrispyCrackers_7

Original post by burned-octave

I would say, if the care home doesn't organise any activities, then suggest to some of the staff if you could help organise a games night. Suggest a few game ideas and see what they say.

At the end of the day, this work experience is supposed to give you opportunities to demonstrate the skills that are needed in doctors (e.g. compassion, empathy, teamwork). Trying to help organise a games night or some sort of activity will show you are eager to help, proactive, and will demonstrate teamwork as you'll have to collaborate with the staff to do so. It would also involve communicating with the residents, which is an opportunity to show empathy. It's these experiences and the skills you demonstrate in them that you should write down, as they'll be helpful at interviews and writing a personal statement.

Even if you try and aren't able to organise any activities, attempt to have a chat with one of the residents about their week or what they use to do for a living, etc as you can at least show empathy, and good listening and communication skills through that- and hopefully make their day too :smile: