My Life: Shonte Adlam, 18, Birmingham

I'm doing my "Service Year" as part of the volunteering scheme where we partner with schools in disadvantaged communities for an academic year. Also, I have access to a business mentor who helps me develop professionally. I'm located at Marlborough Junior School in Birmingham, and two months in I feel like I've already made a positive impact in multiple ways.

I hadn't heard of City Year before I attended a careers fair, but when I found out more, I realised it was all I ever wanted to do. I deferred my place at university to study psychology, and I feel like I've gained so much practical experience working with children to understand their needs and concerns to help with my degree.

Recently, I took the initiative to make conversation with a pupil to find out why he was alone in the playground each lunchtime. After building rapport, I discovered that he really wanted to play football with the other children, but felt scared he wouldn't be good enough and would be laughed at.

I decided to take charge of the football area one playtime, and I encouraged the pupil to participate. Once over the first hurdle of joining in, the amount of happiness the pupil experienced was incredible - they've thanked me every day since and this is just one of the reasons why I love being a City Year volunteer. It allows me to gain invaluable skills I can apply to my dream career in counselling psychology.