Pupils Reflect on Volunteering at Severndale Specialist Academy

Volunteering at Severndale Specialist Academy has offered Shrewsbury pupils a powerful opportunity to step beyond the classroom and engage meaningfully with children whose experiences of learning and life are very different from their own.

Through weekly visits, pupils have developed patience, empathy and a deeper understanding of what it truly means to make a difference, often in ways that are quiet, subtle and deeply human.

For Zainab' A, the experience prompted a profound reflection on impact and purpose, as she describes how grateful she is for the opportunity to volunteer at Severndale:

"What does it mean to make a difference in someone’s life? It’s a question I found asking myself constantly when I joined Severndale as a volunteer. I was placed in the Hub, a section for children profoundly affected by their illnesses and syndromes. At first, it was hard to feel like I was making any impact at all. Change was invisible, and some days felt like an endless repetition of the one before. But gradually, I began to shift my focus to the smaller moments, the tiny changes that often go unnoticed. As Marcel Proust wrote, “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” I discovered my purpose not in grand gestures, but in the quiet one-sided conversations I had with these children. I found it in my discussions about Doctor Who with Zak, in walking Monta through the fall trees, and in the half-smiles Megan gave me on her good days. It isn’t easy and some days are undeniably hard, but life ultimately gives us the power to choose how we respond. Every Thursday at Severndale Specialist Academy, I am grateful for the chance to try my best, to show up, and to witness these small yet profound changes. In the end, it is these tiny moments, the subtle victories, the glimpses of joy, that truly define the difference we can make."

Others echoed the sense of fulfilment that has come from building relationships and becoming part of the children’s weekly routine. Mimi B reflected on how unexpected and rewarding, the experience has been:

" I have really enjoyed volunteering at Severndale school on my Thursday afternoon, I feel like it has been a really useful, fun and unique experience that I would have never imagined myself participating in normally. I have really bonded with the children in the class and that has made each visit feel genuinely worthwhile. Spending time with the class has become something I look forward to, and it’s been great seeing how comfortable the children have become with me and seeing their learning skills improve each week."

For Mya B, volunteering has reshaped her understanding of communication and connection:

"Volunteering at Severndale has been such a rewarding experience. I have learned how to communicate in new ways and the importance of compassion, kindness and connection. I hope the children in my class feel the same joy and positivity that they bring to me each week."

Josh W also highlighted the personal growth that has come from the experience:

"Volunteering at Severndale has been genuinely eye-opening and rewarding. I’ve loved getting to know the pupils and seeing how small words of encouragement can really make their day. It has taught me a lot about patience, empathy, and communication, and it has been a truly valuable experience."

Together, these reflections capture the essence of Shrewsbury’s commitment to kindness and whole person education. Through their time at Severndale, pupils are learning that making a difference is not always about visible outcomes, but about showing up consistently, forming genuine connections, and recognising the power of small moments.

Shrewsbury also welcomes pupils from Severndale this term on a Thursday for dance class.