Aimee's Reflections on 2025

With the start of a new year (and a brief break in the busyness of third acadmic year spent at Building Self-Belief!) I wanted to reflect on some highlights during the latter part of 2025, a brilliant year that will stick with me for a long time!

 In the summer I had the privilege of volunteering in Sri Lanka for 3 weeks on Travelteer’s Mental Health Programme. This included shadowing psychiatrists at the Galle National Hospital, an opportunity which is incredibly difficult to acquire in the UK. One of the highlights was sitting in on patient consultations and initial assessments, including reading patient case files and interacting with patients. I was also fortunate to observe a patient being treated with electro-convulsive therapy, and witness a neuroscience spinal cord surgery to prevent paralysis in a patient. To learn about the differences between the Western and South Eastern approaches to mental health, including the stigma, treatment and risk factors, in a country itself, rather than through research, was a real privilege.

 I also practiced traditional Ayurvedic treatment methods common in Eastern medicine, including yoga, meditation, herbal medications and sirolepa. This has broadened my view of mental health to become more holistic when considering both others and my own mental health.

 I also volunteered at the Baranasuriya Boys’ Home Orphanage, supporting boys with special needs through play, education, painting the home and fundraising. I want to thank everyone who donated to my JustGiving page, as these donations went directly to this orphanage, which I saw firsthand how much were required.

 Back in the UK, I am continuing to work part-time for Building Self-Belief CIO particularly in writing impact reports. I was also fortunate to receive the Youth Champion Award at the Durham Youth Council Awards back in August for supporting young people in the North East.

 Additionally, I have begun a new role as Charity and Welfare Officer for Newcastle University Dance Club, which I am excited to share more about as the academic year progresses. Our chosen charity is Building Self-Belief, such fundraising activities give me an opportunity to give back to the charity that i spent a whole year with. I am also excited to begin volunteering for the The Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust as a learning disability patient support volunteer this month.

Having the confidence and the drive to take advantage of what is on offer in addition to my studies is proving to be fruitful and rewarding. I would like to thank everyone for their encouragement and support.

With the start of a new year (and a brief break in the busyness of third year!) I wanted to reflect on some highlights during the latter part of 2025, a brilliant year that will stick with me for a long time!

 In the summer I had the privilege of volunteering in Sri Lanka for 3 weeks on Travelteer’s Mental Health Programme. This included shadowing psychiatrists at the Galle National Hospital, an opportunity which is incredibly difficult to acquire in the UK. One of the highlights was sitting in on patient consultations and initial assessments, including reading patient case files and interacting with patients. I was also fortunate to observe a patient being treated with electro-convulsive therapy, and witness a neuroscience spinal cord surgery to prevent paralysis in a patient. To learn about the differences between the Western and South Eastern approaches to mental health, including the stigma, treatment and risk factors, in a country itself, rather than through research, was a real privilege.

 I also practiced traditional Ayurvedic treatment methods common in Eastern medicine, including yoga, meditation, herbal medications and sirolepa. This has broadened my view of mental health to become more holistic when considering both others and my own mental health.

 I also volunteered at the Baranasuriya Boys’ Home Orphanage, supporting boys with special needs through play, education, painting the home and fundraising. I want to thank everyone who donated to my JustGiving page, as these donations went directly to this orphanage, which I saw firsthand how much were required.

 Back in the UK, I am continuing to work part-time for Building Self-Belief CIO particularly in writing impact reports. I was also fortunate to receive the Youth Champion Award at the Durham Youth Council Awards back in August for supporting young people in the North East.

 Additionally, I have begun a new role as Charity and Welfare Officer for Newcastle University Dance Club, which I am excited to share more about as the academic year progresses. I am also excited to begin volunteering for the The Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust as a learning disability patient support volunteer this month.

I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities 2025 brought and I am looking forward to seeing what’s to come in 2026!