Words by Smiley Team
We’re profiling under 25s who give back – through their work, volunteering, or any projects that give back to people and the planet.
For 23-year-old Hamda Mohamed, from Birmingham, volunteering was initially a way for her to gain experience and develop as a person.
But the longer she volunteered and found organisations that aligned with her personal values, the more it became a way for her to give back and serve the community.
Her passion for volunteering was born after she completed a programme at UpRising Leadership. “I finished the programme at a time when I was feeling lost and because the skills and confidence I gained I wanted to give back in some way to ensuring the great work UpRising did,” she says.
As a volunteer, she helped the team in Birmingham interview candidates for future programmes, assisting during programme retreats and going into colleges and universities.
[Read more positive stories about people giving back here]
“The organisation played a major role in my life, so volunteering or assisting when the team needed help was a way of thanks,” she says. “Volunteering helped continue to inspire me, every time I volunteered I saw how inspirational the young people of Birmingham truly were.”
Now, Hamda volunteers for the Muslim youth organisanisation MAB, giving up her time to look after marketing for the charity. She’s also a trustee at the Muslim Roads Bath, and works with the volunteers coordinator to ensure volunteers are looked after, developed and valued.
“This role has been a great learning experience being on a board alongside hard working individuals who work tirelessly for the community the bath serves has been eye opening,” says Hamda.
She also volunteers as a school governor at Ark Tindal – “I never would have believed as a young student I would be a school governor, not only because I didn't think you could become one at such a young age but also because I didn't think I could ever be qualified,” she tells Smiley News – and counts it as a blessing to be a governor at an outstanding school with passionate staff and even more precious children.
“To me volunteering my time as a governor allows me to play a small role in the betterment of the lives of young people as I truly believe when we invest in our future generations society as a whole benefits,” she says.
“Volunteering at the organisations has truly helped shape the person I am today,” says Hamda.
“I really enjoy it. It can be tiring and sometimes stressful, yet the upsides of volunteering far outweigh the bad.
“To me volunteering is serving the community I come from: the area I live in, my fellow young people and the many other identities I have.”
Hamda says when you volunteer your time you get to see the impacts of your work instantaneously, adding: “I’ve seen the lives of young people change for the better.”
In the future, Hamda hopes to set up her own social enterprise focusing on supporting children to be safe, secure and have access to opportunities. “It would include re-shaping the story of a refugee and displaced children to build their own narratives that show their dreams,” she says.
“I’m currently working on a timeline and hope to start working on this project in the coming years alongside my employment.”
Find out more about MAB, the youth organisation Hamda volunteers for.
Do you know someone 18-25 who is giving back to people or the planet in some way? Let us know by emailing [email protected].
