I will be travelling to Sri Lanka as part of a 5 week volunteering mental placement.
The placement starts on the 19th June 17. During the first week, I will be trained in cultural awareness, working with vulnerable individuals and working with individuals with special needs in Sri Lanka. I'll be working at a psychiatric facility and a rehabilitation centre to help individuals with mental health issues and trauma sufferers. I will also be volunteering as a mental health professional in the hospital or in the community.

Alongside this, I will be teaching English to children who cannot afford education and running activities at youth centres and special needs centres. I create the workshops that I teach, therefore as well as subject specific workshops, I will be holding dance and cheerleading workshops while I'm out there!

I have also been given the opportunity while I'm in Sri Lanka to travel to India for five days and tour the impressive NIMHANS (National institute of mental health and neuroscience) facilities and be taught by specialists in psychology and psychiatry and take part in their workshops.

The £1,400 covers everything except from flights, entry visa, travel insurance and living costs. I am sooooo excited and I will be doing a huge amount of fundraising over the next year! I aim to keep everyone updated with pictures and videos of my time in Sri Lanka and India!

There is very little help and support given to individuals who are
mentally ill or trauma sufferers in Sri Lanka and many citizens can't afford education. SLV works on 50 projects in Sri Lanka targeting all of these issues.

Any donation you can give really will help!

I can't thankyou enough, this work experience will contribute massively to me eventually becoming a clinical psychologist and working with mentally ill children and adults in England!

Sophie x