We are four students from UCL (University College London), who were selected to take part in a two-week Global Citizenship programme to help ECHO improve the way it measures its impact. We were all really keen to gain experience and insight into how charities operate, so this was a great opportunity and everyone at ECHO made us feel really welcome.

We took part in an induction day, which included a visit to Evelina London Children’s Hospital as well as meeting a group of teenagers who were taking part in an amazing challenge – climbing over London’s O2! We got the chance to speak with the young people and their parents. It was really important being able to interact with families and listen to their stories and it helped us to realise the impact ECHO has.

Our team was given a place to work and all the resources we needed to complete our project. The staff were really helpful and friendly and answered all our questions – being a small charity, they were really busy but someone always checked in with us to make sure we had everything we needed, including snacks and pastries!

“Volunteering at ECHO is probably the highlight of my year. I think the charity has a very exciting future and I’m thrilled that I got to play a part in what is yet to come.”

At the end of the two weeks we delivered an impact report for ECHO which included a comprehensive outcomes framework and an impact measurement toolkit, and fortunately they were really pleased with our work. We can’t wait to see it in action!