Adonia Dhananjeyan

I am currently volunteering at the PCIT centre in Canterbury where I help patients with Parkinson's with activities to help minimise rigidity and help with other symptoms they may be experiencing.

I have taken part in Qigong, group fitness and Neurocircuit activities and aided patients through the tasks. I have developed a better understanding of Parkinson's and have gained empathy and communication skills to build trust with the patients.

Skills gained:

• Emotional resilience
• Deeper understanding in Parkinson's Disease
• Confidentiality
• Team collaboration

Key Responsibilities:
Provided emotional support to individuals experiencing low mood, anxiety, loneliness, and other mental health challenges through weekly check-ins and structured conversations.

Developed active listening, empathy, and trauma-informed communication skills to build trust and rapport with clients.
Maintained accurate and confidential call logs, highlighting key concerns, wellbeing updates, and risk indicators.
Raised concerns appropriately and in line with safeguarding protocols, escalating when needed to the supervising practitioner.

Collaborated with other volunteers and coordinators to provide a consistent and compassionate support network.
Encouraged client engagement with wider support services, including mental health resources, community groups, and wellbeing initiatives.

Skills Gained:
Emotional resilience and self-awareness
Clear and professional communication
Understanding of mental health
Confidentiality and safeguarding procedures
Team collaboration and peer support

As volunteer at the East Surrey Hospital, I help patients in different wards like the outpatients, discharge and A&E. I provide emotional support to patients and their family members. I help with the Tea and Coffee rounds for the wards while patients are waiting to hear back from the doctors. I pick up medication for patients waiting in the discharge unit and help alongside nurses to maintain a friendly and stress-free environment for the patients and nurses.

Alongside those roles, I have supported patients with dementia, providing care, emotional support and mitigated confusion in patients through a calming presence. additionally, I have supported patient's families with support, care and guidance.

Skills gained:

• Communication skills
• Emotional intelligence
• Team work
• Following procedure
• Providing comprehensive care

I have tutored students between the ages of 8-15 with special needs in maths and English. Alongside helping with homework, activities to help understand the subject they are learning I also provided emotional support whenever they showed signs of confusion, struggling and anger. I provided feedback to their teachers and parents on a regular basis.

I tailored teaching plans accordingly to their strengths and weaknesses and created an inclusive learning environment which respected diversity and promoted equality. I also informed their parents with the students' strengths and weakness and guided them into supporting their child.

Providing one-to-one support with the students allowed academic achievement and progress while building confidence and self-belief despite learning challenges.

Skills Gained:

• Individualised learning support
• Assessment and progress tracking
• Empathetic communication
• Active listening
• Rapport building
• Confidence-building strategies