“If anyone has the opportunity to join Streetsport in any kind of way I’d 100% tell them to jump at it!”

Streetsport were delighted to see Kirstin Bell, volunteer and friend of the organisation, graduate with distinction from her masters in Tourism and Hospitality Management earlier in December. Following an undergraduate degree, Kirstin’s a two-time RGU graduate and now works as an Events Assistant at the university. A loyal servant!

Back in the summer of 2015 Kirstin reached out to Streetsport in order to gain volunteer experience which would assist with her initial Events Management degree.

“Throughout my undergrad’ we had to do voluntarily work to gain experience and pass the course and I saw an email come out about Streetsport as they were looking for volunteers to help at the sessions.

“We met up and from there the chat evolved more into how I could help in the office like events and visits rather than just the sessions.”

During her time with Streetsport, Kirstin helped with organising the v isit of Prince Harry who came to RGU as part of his first official visit to Aberdeen in September 2016.

“I was in India when Mark [Streetsport COO] phoned me at about 1 o’clock in the morning. He said ‘are you sitting down? We have a big event in two days and I want you to be a part of it!’

“I came home from India on the Sunday and I was in here, the office, on Monday, planning and frantically messaging people to ask if they’d help me. Then on Tuesday it was the event!”

The visit was a huge success for Kirstin, her team and the Prince himself. Discussing the benefits of organising an occasion like this and of volunteering in general, she said:

“On the top of my CV is Prince Harry visit to Streetsport and people are like ‘first things first Prince Harry, what?! That’s cool!’ and then they’re like ‘what’s Streetsport?’

“Then you get in to that huge conversation about what it is and what we do and people are really, really interested in it. Giving up your time shows that you’re dedicated and you’re dedicating your time to things that help other people.

“They think ‘cool she’s got hobbies and she’s interested in things, she’s looking at ways to help others’. It’s a really good talking point in terms of interviews and on your CV. It’s also allowed me to meet so many new people in quite a lot of different situations and you learn to communicate with them in different ways.”

Kirstin also assisted in the opening of the Cruyff Court Denis Law in February 2017 having written her dissertation on the impacts and benefits that Cruyff Courts can have on an area.

“That involved a lot of different people. Denis Law himself along with the trustees, plus the timing of it all. Plus we had the catering. That was really cool but again; different people, different situations, time management. I was doing this alongside finishing uni’ so you’ve got to learn how to work things together and how to make the most of your time.”

Not content with just being a vital cog in Streetsport’s organisation of events, Kirstin also came out of her comfort zone by volunteering at some of the weekly sessions across the city.

“The sessions also help you grow. You’re put in a situation where, for me, that was something I’d literally never done before. Events is like second nature but a sports session with children- massively into the deep end!

“You’re dealing with quite a lot of young people and if you’re not used to that you just need to adapt, see what everyone else is doing and follow their lead. Its amazing fun, the kids are great.”

Asked if she would recommend a stint of volunteering with Streetsport to others, Kirstin was emphatic with her response:

“Absolutely. I do believe it’s one of those things where you’ll get out what you put in. Mark and the team are amazing at giving their volunteers opportunities so if you’re willing to go the extra mile for them they’re going to go the extra mile for you and that’s something that will really, really help people further their career and further their personal professional development.

“If anyone has the opportunity to join Streetsport in any kind of way- sessions, events, literally anything, I’d 100% tell them to jump at it.”

If reading about Kirstin has peaked your interest in volunteering with Streetsport then please fill out a simple form from here which will arrive directly into our inbox. Feel free to get in contact with any questions and as always, spread the word and tell a friend!