Rasheed is a Filipino International Assumption Volunteer currently working at Kids Kabin, in Newcastle. Kids Kabin has been serving children in North East of England for almost three decades, providing creative opportunities for them. As a full-time volunteer Rasheed plans and delivers workshops in pottery, art, woodwork and cookery for children between the age of 8 and 13. When he is not running workshops, Rasheed takes on other responsibilities such as planning and preparation of future activities, helping to maintain the center and its garden, organising materials such as recycling the clay for pottery.
Along with the other international volunteers, Rasheed shares with the children what life and the world are beyond the North-East. “Most of these children do not leave the county or even their area” Rasheed explains, “and being exposed to international volunteers may be their main opportunity to learn about other cultures and places around the world”.
On top of his volunteering activity, Rasheed has recently completed his studies in a Master’s programme at the University of Padova, Italy. His dissertation research focusses on Kids Kabin, as a “third place” for children. Rasheed explains “The concept of ‘third place’ is used in social science to indicate a space separated from home or work/school, a space where people gather, a home away from home. My research investigates how not only adults, but also children as young as eight need to have social spaces of their own.” According to Rasheed “Kids Kabin is a unique charity because the after-school experience focusses on arts and creative activities that children experience while interacting not only with their friends, but also with the international volunteers, through whom they can learn more about the world outside the UK”.
Reflecting about the charity ethos, Rasheed adds: “At Kids Kabin people are there for one another and are ready to walk the extra mile […] The learning curve is at times challenging, but ultimately very rewarding.”
We congratulate Rasheed for his achievement and wish him all the best for the remaining months of his volunteering experience in Newcastle!
