THE opportunity to take part in volunteering while at university provided Hannah Barstow with the skills, confidence and experience to kick-start her career.

The mother-of-one graduates from Teesside today with a BSc (Hons) Psychology.

She now works as a support worker for Positive Individual Pro-active Support, assisting young people with the most complex needs, as well as contributing in bank work for the Approved Premises team in the National Probation Service, helping to reduce the risk of offenders being recalled, re-offending or breaching the conditions of their licence or court order.

But it was volunteering at Teesside University which really inspired Hannah. She joined Volun-tees, the University programme which supports staff, students and recent graduates to engage in volunteering activities both within the local community and on volunteering programmes.

She completed volunteering placements with both Changing Futures and Durham Tees Valley Rehabilitation Company, excelling in both roles and winning the Community Volunteer prize at the annual Volun-cheers awards earlier this year.

“The experience gained has been nothing but positive and has assisted me throughout my work,” explained Hannah, 27.

“Volun-tees has been amazing. It has provided vital experience and they have supported me to log my hours, update my information and re-ward me for the work I have done. It is certainly something I would recommend to other students as it provides so many opportunities.”

Hannah says she feels overwhelmed to be graduating and is delighted that her son Harvey, 8, will be in the audience to see her collect her award.

She added: “I would describe my time at University as exhausting, exciting and rewarding. It is such a mix of emotions, but overall I feel really proud - it is an amazing achievement to have accomplished.”