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A lthough I knew exactly what to study after my A-levels in 2007, I decided to take a gap year with TFG. I had the feeling that I needed to take some time off from ambitiously striving for good marks, without which doors to several Universities and Bachelor programmes remain closed, and getting a new perspective on myself and on life in general. On top of that, I wanted to counteract the warnings of others that a gap year would be “a waste of time and energy” that I could easily invest in my studies, especially as I already knew that I wanted to study Psychology. Instead, I put their rational arguments aside following my emotional arguments. I spent my gap year at the Froud Centre, a community centre based in East London which is available to the local people of all ages and backgrounds. My key tasks were administration and reception work as well as play and youth work. During this time, TFG provided great personal support. We did not only get practical information about the UK, London and being a volunteer, but also valuable inspirational input. They contributed to my personal development, so that in the end my service was not only a service to the community; it was also a service to myself as it let me grew in ways I did not expect.

Three years later I finished my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology which I started after my gap year with TFG. And once again, I felt the urgent need to slow down life’s pace. At the same time, I really want to continue with my Master’s in Clinical Psychology. Therefore, I decided to take a gap summer in Sweden. I applied and got a placement at the Newman Institute for Catholic studies in Uppsala, a university college offering courses in theology, philosophy, and cultural studies. One of the institute’s aims for the future is to offer a programme to theology students from Germany, Austria and Switzerland which allows them to explore life, church and faith in a Scandinavian Catholic diaspora. To ensure that the students are well supervised, ‘on arrival’ and ‘final evaluation’ meetings shall be offered. One of my tasks will be to help with the content-related preparation of these meetings bringing in the students’ perspectives and needs. I will get the chance to see the future placements. Some of them are pilgrimage sites which shall be made known better in the future. I am sure that I will, once again, benefit from my own experience and the supervision I got from TFG during my gap year which makes me want to say ‘thank you’ to TFG. Thank you.

Here are some comments from volunteers on completing their year of voluntary service:

'My field officer and I had a wonderful chat last Friday. I have really loved the conferences, because I am TFG+ I just think of them as our group but really it's all of TFG; the planning and organising. They've really inspired me to go back and do better in my life and in my work at my placement. Thank you!'

'I like to be in church more here than at home, there is a good community. I love the tea and coffee after church and the bring and share lunches! It is like a second family. If I hadn't come here, I might not have looked so intensively for a church when I go to University.'