Publish date: 9 February 2026
Student Volunteering Week takes place every year across the UK, led by the Student Volunteering Network. It’s an opportunity to celebrate the work that our student volunteers from universities and schools do in organisations like West London NHS Trust.
For this year ’s Student Volunteering Week , we’re sharing the story of Valentina Rameh , one of our student volunteers, to show how a few hours a week of giving back can sometimes change the direction of our lives. For Valentina, volunteering on our Older People’s Mental Health Ward as a Discharge Support Volunteer while studying at King’s College London helped her build confidence, gain experience, develop a professional identity, and find a pathway into her first Assistant Psychologist role.
Can you briefly introduce yourself?
“My name is Valentina Rameh , I’m originally from Brazil but have been living in the UK since 2012. I have a BSc in Psychology, and a M aster’s degree in Mental Health Studies which I have just completed from King’s College London. I have been a Discharge Support Volunteer at West London NHS Trust since September 2025, and I have recently received an offer for an Assistant Psychologist role.”
What led you to volunteer and how did you come across it?
“During the summer, while I was completing my dissertation, I had some additional time and decided to apply for volunteering roles within the NHS. I was keen to gain hands-on clinical experience and exposure to mental health services, as well as a better understanding of how the NHS operates in a clinical setting.
“I was also aware that paid roles in mental health, particularly Assistant Psychologist positions, are highly competitive. Volunteering felt like a valuable way to gain relevant experience, develop my skills, and begin building a pathway into the NHS.
“I came across the Discharge Support Volunteer role through the Trust’s website . The role was focus ed on helping the ‘ hospital - to - home ’ agenda and reducing the length of stays on the ward through essential anxiety - reducing tactics both pre- and post- discharge . I felt it would be a good fit for me ; it aligned well with my previous experience in mental health while also offering the opportunity to further develop my clinical and professional skills.”
What did you gain from volunteering and how did it help you achieve your career goals?
“I grew significantly during my time as a Discharge Support Volunteer, both personally and professionally. The role encouraged me to become more proactive, particularly in showing initiative, taking on additional responsibilities, and managing situations that could be stressful or emotionally demanding. Over time, I became more confident in stepping forward, communicating with staff, and adapting to the fast-paced environment on the ward.
“Volunteering also gave me valuable insight s into how a mental health ward operates within the NHS. I gained a clearer understanding of the different professional roles within a multidisciplinary team and learned how effective collaboration and communication are essential for patient care. This exposure strengthened my ability to work as part of a team and helped me understand the realities of clinical practice.
“Being exposed to a wide range of patient interactions and situations provided me with meaningful experiences that I was able to reflect on during interviews for Assistant Psychologist roles. In particular, conversations with patients helped me develop empath etic , active listening skills a s well as an awareness of professional boundaries, all of which I could evidence with concrete examples during interviews and applications . As a result, my volunteering experience directly supported my career progression by strengthening my interview responses and contributing to successful interview outcomes.”
What is unique about volunteering at the West London NHS Trust?
“What I found unique about volunteering at West London NHS Trust was how welcoming and supportive the team was. From the beginning, I felt valued and included, which made a significant difference given how intense and demanding a mental health ward environment can be.
“The ward manager took a genuine interest in supporting me and ensuring I felt comfortable and encouraged in my role. Help was a two-way-street, I supported my team through my volunteering, and they helped me tremendously throughout.”
Would you recommend volunteering at the Trust to others?
“Yes, I would recommend volunteering at the Trust! I think volunteering is very important , especially for those who want a career in the NHS. During my experience as a volunteer, I gained a lot of clinical exposure, as the staff were happy to provide it. I really wanted to deliver above and beyond in my role, and when I asked my ward manager, they were very encouraging of this.”
What advice would you give other students considering volunteering this Student Volunteering Week?
“My main advice would be to show genuine interest and be proactive, but also to be mindful of the boundaries of the volunteering role. It is important to respect that staff members are often very busy and to approach the role with understanding and patience.
“I would also recommend taking the time , once in a volunteering role, to observe and understand how a team and the service work before stepping forward more confidently. Once you have a good sense of the environment, you can gradually become more proactive, take on responsibilities appropriately, and contribute in a way that is both helpful and respectful.”
Find out more about volunteering with West London NHS Trust on our website.