Interviewer

Could we start by me asking your name?

Zenaide

My name is Zenaide Dlamini

Interviewer

We’re going to struggle to spell that I think. So do you want to tell us how to spell it?

Zenaide

The surname or all of it?

Interviewer

The name go for the whole lot.

Zenaide

Okay.So my name is Ine, which is said Z- E-N-A-I-D-E. Then my surname is D-L-A-M-I-N-I.

Interviewer

Thank you. And could I ask how old you are?

Zenaide

I am 17.

Interviewer

Thank you. And today we’re talking about the Friends of Newcross. So tell me a bit about why did you start volunteering?

Zenaide

Okay, so I studied T Level Health, so that requires me to do 315 hours of volunteering altogether for my next upcoming two years of me studying it. So I started off in the hospital for the first four semesters,  but I don’t know if that was with Attend or not. I don’t know because it was from the school.  Then I started here. Yes. And it just goes with what I want to do in the future with my career.

Interviewer

Okay. So had you come from a background where you did lots of volunteering, and other things before that?

Zenaide

Would say characteristics, but  I haven’t really volunteered.

Interviewer

Okay. And when you came here, what sort of thing did they get you to do?

Zenaide

As in what I had to do as in my role? Yes. Okay. So I had to have good communication skills with the residents, and just be there to be able to listen, and for them to be heard or if they need help with anything that I’m allowed to do because I’m still 17. Yes. Getting trained for moving, and handling. Yes, just getting to know the residents really, like personally, and forming that relationship with them.

Interviewer

So it was much more about a sort of a befriending relationship almost?

Zenaide

Yes, because I am getting, like, I’m really close to a few residents now that I would say they would consider me as their friend.

Interviewer

Okay. And when you were a volunteer, how often did you used to come in?

Zenaide

I used to come in every Wednesday, and Thursday for three hours each day.

Interviewer

Okay. And is there anything particular that you remember about that, that you enjoyed?

Zenaide

Yes, so I remember it was like a summer afternoon and it was just like an activity outside in the garden for our residents who know how to paint. Then her name is Carol. She just ask me how old am I? Because I see  I look very young. Then she was like, “it’s really nice when young people come in here to volunteer because it gives us life.” So, yes. Oh I always remember that. So that just like made me want to come more, but I just generally, just love working with adults in general because I was raised by grandparents. By my grandparents.

Interviewer

Okay. So I gather that you’ve moved on from volunteering into a paid role. How did that happen for you?

Zenaide

Oh, it’s actually really funny because it was about to be summer, so I wanted to make a bit of pocket money. Then on that day when I was about to go to my manager, Jenna, to go and ask for a job,  Serena just told me that actually Jenna wants me to work here because all the residents, and stuff, like me, and they like how I communicate with the residents, and have formed relationships. Yes. So then I just got the job.

Interviewer

So how long have you been here now? As in a paid job?

Zenaide

Two months.

Interviewer

Okay. And are you enjoying it?

Zenaide

Yes. I love it.

Interviewer

Excellent. Thank you. And do you do that outside of your college hours now, or so is it just at the weekends or something, or how does it work?

Zenaide

So I’m in sixth form. So you know, how in college you don’t go to college every day? It’s only like four days a week. So I have the Monday off, then Sunday because I don’t go to church. So I do Sunday and Mondays, seven hours each day.

Interviewer

Excellent. So you manage to get 14 hours a week in?  Excellent. Now, when you knew you were coming to see me today, is there anything that you wanted to tell me that you haven’t had the chance to say yet?

Zenaide

Not in particular but like I just love what the company does for, especially I know it’s for everyone, but especially for us young people because I feel like in another world I would be working in McDonald’s to make pocket money, but I would rather work in here because this actually links to my career. So this helps me. So I just like the fact that Attend, it gives people opportunities according to what they want to do in the future.

Interviewer

Okay. And do you know what job you want to do?

Zenaide

Well, no, not really, but I want to do something under health. I still don’t know whether I want to work with adults or children or just general nursing, but I’ll figure it out.

Interviewer

Okay. That’s lovely. It helps you on your journey, while you working. Thank you ever so much. And thank you for your time today.