Volunteering with a charity for young disabled adults has taught me how important patience is. I attend sports activities with them and feel gratified seeing them having fun and being independent, something which we all personally take for granted. I also keep an elderly gentleman company weekly, which he enjoys. As a result, I was recently awarded a certificate for 'reliability, good communication and a brilliant attitude'. I help a pupil with autism at school. We play hopscotch in the playground which has expanded her social skills and built her confidence. Working in a dementia unit opened my eyes to the vulnerability, frustration and confused behaviour of these residents. On one occasion I managed to calm an agitated resident by simple means, such as chatting and playing dominoes. These experiences have shown me clearly the importance of caring for emotional, as well as physical needs and being able to communicate with, and relate to, people of different ages and with different social circumstances.