I personally think that the Teddy Bear Clinic was a huge success this year because working with children is one of the most satisfying things that you could do. Our team of happy helpful volunteers spent lots of time this year to put a smile on youngsters faces in two schools around central London, and for certain we achieved this. With activities from colouring to running around in the playground, the children became ‘our biggest fans’, one of the primary school teachers told us. Our 3 project leaders organized the activities thoughtfully every week teaching them about health mostly. We taught them about brushing their teeth, making fruit kebabs but going to the doctors was a huge hit with them. Most of all they jumped at any opportunity to colour things in. We gave them cartoons of different exercises for example and this was one way that we made learning fun for them.
I chose the teddy bear clinic because it’s been really successful for years. I’ve heard such great things about it and after taking part in the 1st term I realized how much fun it was. The children would always say the funniest most random things. It felt different getting used to them but after some time it got so much easier to talk and all the volunteers said it was so much fun and that they would do it again next year. Spending time with a crowd of active 8 year old was more fun then you would have expected!
The children that we worked with really changed us and honestly opened us up. I would say to anybody who wants to volunteer with the Teddy Bear Clinic to go for it even if you’re stretched for time because - believe me - you would not regret spending time with such lovely happy kids like the ones we hung out with.
