Volunteering as a research assistant (RA) is a terrific way to see what research "really" involves (hint: it's usually fun and collaborative!) and to see if you enjoy the research process. Professors at King's have "labs" which involve a number of students (honors thesis students, research assistants) who help with any or all areas of the study: some help with lit searches, or data collection, data coding, analyses, etc.

Professors are King's are usually quite happy to involve keen undergrads in their labs. Volunteering in a lab in 2nd- and/or 3rd-year can also be a great way to develop a deeper understanding of a research area and develop a strong professional relationship with fellow students and faculty! The students who work in my lab often become good friends.

If you'd like to gain some research experience, approach profs who you have impressed (e.g., by earning good grades in their class, participating) and let them know that you are interested in volunteering as an RA.

The King's webpage lists all of our faculty and provides a bit of info about their research programs.

Western's psychology department is quite large. The faculty often have big labs with post-docs and grad students, so it might be difficult to work directly with a prof, but their post-docs and grad students are often eager to have excellent undergrads in the lab help them with their research as volunteers. Here is an overview of the main areas of research at Western and their faculty members.

A short, professional email may be a good way to introduce yourself and offer yourself as an RA (e.g., "Dear Professor XYZ: I'm in my 3rd year of the honours specialization psychology program and really enjoyed social psychology. I read up on your research online, and was wondering if I may volunteer as an RA in your lab? etc."


Course recommendations:

• Psych 2840F/G, Research Methods in Psychology
• As many of the "core" psych courses as you are interested in, to provide a breadth of knowledge; these courses are numbered Psych 2XXX
• Psych 3891F, Experimental Research Methods & Analysis
• Psych 3892G, Correlational and Multivariate Research Methods & Analysis
• Psych 3940F/G, Survey Design and Construction
• Psych 4694E, Psychology for the Common Good: Creating Research-Based Applications
  

At King's, students interested in clinical psychology or neuropsychology have found Dr Chovaz's Practicum course (Psych 4692E) to be very helpful. This course is unique to King's; students have supervised placements in selected community settings and learn how to integrate their course-based knowledge with human services practices.

These types of positions often require a valid police vulnerable sector check and training in First Aid and CPR.

Here are some volunteering opportunities to consider:

Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) -- The CMHA Middlesex has a wide variety of volunteer opportunities, from support line volunteers to providing one-on-one support. Their website has an online application and details some of the roles available.

Shelter for abused women, sexual assault center; e.g., Anova has several different volunteer opportunities, including the Crisis and Support Line and child care. Volunteering information is online here.

Hospitals:

St Joseph's Health Care London has a large volunteer program with opportunities in a variety of areas of mental health care, including mental health care at Parkwood and the Southwest Center for Forensic Mental Health care. Here is more information about volunteering with St Joseph's Health Care.

London Health Sciences Center has a variety of volunteering roles for university students, including assisting with the cancer program, children's program, patient visiting, and the emergency room.

Community homelessness and mental health organizations; e.g., CAN-VOICE.

Homeless shelter; e.g., Mission Services of London - From their website: Mission Services is a Christian faith-based social services agency that provides emergency shelter for families and individuals "with a focus on serving those who struggle with poverty and homelessness; men, women, and children. We provide food, shelter, clothing, crisis intervention and rehabilitation." Click here for more information on volunteering with Mission Services.
 
Hospice; e.g., St. Joseph Hospice - From their website: St. Joseph Hospice provides programs and care for people with palliative illness, caregivers, and people who are grieving. Their website details many different needs for volunteers; click here for volunteer information. 

Eating disorder center; e.g., Hope's Eating Disorder Support in London provides free services for people aged 18+ who "struggle with disordered eating or have been affected by an eating disorder."

Ronald McDonald House -- RMH provides short-term accommodations for families who have children staying at the LHSC. Volunteers perform a variety of roles to support these families; here's the site for the London location and volunteering info.

Wellspring provides supportive care cancer patients. They have many roles for volunteers.

Seniors' residence -- check in your neighborhood for opportunities

Group home


Course recommendations:

• Psych 2301A/B, Intro to Clinical Psychology
• Psych 3371F/G, Therapeutic Counseling
  
• Psych 3320F/G, Child Psychopathology
• Psych 3310F/G, Adult Psychopathology
• Psych 4692E, Practicum

Brain injury unit at a hospital or rehabilitation facility:

Here in London, St Joseph's Health Care London's volunteering program includes positions at Parkwood. Here is more information about volunteering with St Joseph's Health Care.

London Health Sciences Center has a variety of volunteering roles for university students.

Course recommendations:

• Psych 2221A/B, Intro to Biological Basis of Behavior
• Psych 2135A/B, Cognitive Psychology
• Psych 2301A/B, Intro to Clinical Psychology
• Psych 3320F/G, Child Psychopathology
• Psych 3310F/G, Adult Psychopathology
• Psych 3260F/G, Cognitive Neuroscience
  
• Psych 4692E, Practicum 

Merrymount Children's Centre -- Merrymount provides "crisis support and transition services for children and families." Merrymount is right around the corner from King's at the intersection of Colborne & Huron Streets. 
 
Thames Valley Children's Centre -- information for students & volunteers
 
Madam Vanier's Children's Services

Child-Parent Resource Institute (CPRI) -- CPRI provides outpatient and inpatient (residential) care for children and youth with "complex mental health and/or developmental disabilities." They have detailed information about volunteers here.

Group home

Children's Aid Society -- Children's Aid Society of London & Middlesex has volunteer opportunities

Children's ward in a hospital -- e.g., London Health Sciences Center has a variety of volunteering roles for university students, including assisting with the  children's program

Elementary school or high school -- volunteering in a classroom, at lunchtime, or after school program

Big Brothers or Big Sisters -- consider being a mentor for a child with the Big Brothers Big Sisters of London and area

Coaching children (e.g., sports teams, skating, dance, gymnastics, etc.)

King's Kids (for students at King's University College) -- from their president a few years back: "Volunteers from King's are matched up with a child in need whose family has a case open at the Children’s Aid Society. The King's student visits the child approximately once a week, and through these visits, as well as monthly events run by the club, the child learns and practices healthy social and relationship skills and has the opportunity to get to know a positive role model. King’s Kids is a rewarding opportunity for not only the children involved, but the students as well. Aside from gaining valuable volunteer experience, students will also be able to develop positive leadership skills, a connection with a child in need and meet other students like them." The club usually present at a booth during clubs week at King's; you may also locate them through the Students' Council.

Course recommendations:

• Psych 2301A/B, Intro to Clinical Psychology
• Psych 2410A/B, Intro to Developmental Psychology
  
• Psych 3371F/G, Therapeutic Counseling
  
• Psych 3320F/G, Child Psychopathology
• Psych 3310F/G, Adult Psychopathology
• Psych 4692E, Practicum

John Howard Society of Canada: Working with the John Howard Society is a way you can develop experience working with populations in conflict with the law (or at risk of conflict with the law). The Society aims to offer "effective, just and humane responses to the causes and consequences of crime." Here's information for volunteering with the John Howard Society of London.

Changing Ways: This London-based agency helps individuals (primarily men) that have charges related to domestic violence. Some of their clients attend Changing Ways because it is mandated as a condition of their probation or parole, while others attend group voluntarily. Clients are supported and challenged to end their abusive behaviour towards their partner and/or children. There are a wide range of opportunities that include administrative roles, conflict resolution, and co-facilitation. The co-facilitator position is an interactive role where the volunteer assists the group counselor in all aspects of program delivery. Click here for more information on volunteering with Changing Ways.


Course recommendations:

• Psych 2031A/B, Psychology & Law
  
• Psych 2301A/B, Intro to Clinical Psychology
  
• Psych 3310F/G, Adult Psychopathology
• Psych 3313A/B, Forensic Psychology
  

Volunteer with the London Police Service as an Auxiliary Officer; their website offers detailed information on this role and requirements.

Correctional Service Canada: You can also gain experience in the correctional field by volunteering with the CSC; they list information about programs and services that their volunteers work in at this site.

John Howard Society of Canada: Working with the John Howard Society is a way you can develop experience working with populations in conflict with the law (or at risk of conflict with the law). The Society aims to offer "effective, just and humane responses to the causes and consequences of crime." Here's the website for the John Howard Society of London.

Changing Ways: This London-based agency helps individuals (primarily men) that have charges related to domestic violence. Some of their clients attend Changing Ways because it is mandated as a condition of their probation or parole, while others attend group voluntarily. Clients are supported and challenged to end their abusive behaviour towards their partner and/or children. There are a wide range of opportunities that include administrative roles, conflict resolution, and co-facilitation. The co-facilitator position is an interactive role where the volunteer assists the group counselor in all aspects of program delivery. Click here for more information on volunteering with Changing Ways.


Course recommendations:

• Psych 2031A/B, Psychology & Law
• Psych 2012F/G, Psychology and Diversity
• Psych 3725F/G, Psychology of Prejudice
  
• Psych 3313A/B, Forensic Psychology

Elementary school or high school -- volunteer in a classroom, as a reading-buddy, at lunchtime, as playground yard staff, or for an after school program. Contact the office at your local school for available openings.

Big Brothers or Big Sisters -- consider being a mentor for a child with the Big Brothers Big Sisters of London and area

Coaching children (e.g., sports teams, skating, dance, gymnastics, etc.); here's the YMCA website

Tutoring -- either privately or through a center such as Kumon or Mathnasium

London Public Library -- branches of the library have many opportunities for students to volunteer; roles include tech tutors and children's programming. Current openings are posted here.

Summer camp counselor -- e.g., through the City of London, Sport Western, the YMCA


Course recommendations:

• Psych 2040A/B, Child Development
  
• Psych 2410A/B, Intro to Developmental Psychology
  
• Psych 2610F/G, Educational Psychology