It is extremely important that you build up regular voluntary work throughout the year before you apply to university, or ideally for longer. Voluntary work allows you to understand the role of a care giver, to develop soft skills in working with strangers and helping others. It helps you to understand the importance of good communication in patient care and will give you a sense of how important the human connection is at the heart of medicine.

Voluntary work can take many forms but it should ideally be:

• regular
• unpaid
• with a group of people who need extra care in their day to day lives

There are many charitable organisations in Guernsey who would be delighted to have your support. You might find the list from the D of E Volunteering Section below to be a good place to start.

Previous applicants have visited care homes and nursing homes; supported activities involving disabled children and/or adults as well as the coaching and teaching activities of others - related to your own interests which you enjoy in your spare time.

Please share your Guernsey specific ideas and experiences with us via the Forum page within the Applicant Club or the box below.