Meet our volunteer Natasha Fuller
About Me:
I recently graduated with First Class Honours in International Business and Management in July and am incredibly proud to have received the Prize for achieving the highest average in my degree programme. Particularly given that I have observed not having the same socio-economic privileges as my direct peers. This achievement has meant so much to me. Nonetheless, I am grateful for my unique experience as it has given me a unique perspective on both privilege and hardship, and how these experiences shape people's life chances and opportunities, something I am now keen to apply in the context of public health.
I am deeply passionate about social justice, equal opportunity and empowerment, values that have undeniably been shaped by my upbringing, largely influenced by the injustices faced by those closest to me. Growing up in the UK with dual heritage - a Rwandese mother who survived the genocide, and a British father - exposed me early on to the profound impact of trauma and the importance of mental health in the healing process. Educating myself about my mother’s experiences, both in Rwanda and the UK, gave me a deep appreciation for how recounting personal stories and emotions can alleviate the burden of trauma. I aim to take these learnings and use them to inform how I interact with members of the communities I will be engaging with in the outreach work.
What are you passionate about?
I’m particularly passionate about social and commercial determinants of health, to address the barriers that limit health-behaviour literacy and prevent equitable access to healthcare and social services. I am also fascinated by the complexity of people—their unique contexts, emotions, and experiences—and how these factors shape their perceptions and interactions with elements of their health and well-being.
Why do you want to volunteer at Healthwatch?
I have been involved in community-based volunteering focused on asylum seekers for just over a year, and I am eager to expand my volunteer experience within a health context. I am drawn to Healthwatch because it is an organisation that truly shares my values - it is truly dedicated to putting people at the centre of everything it does. I am passionate about listening to and understanding individuals, ensuring they feel represented, and helping to actualise meaningful change for them. With Healthwatch’s extensive community-based work and research, I feel privileged to contribute to its mission.
Volunteering with Croydon Healthwatch, in particular, is an ideal opportunity for me to gain experience due to the area’s diverse population and the acute challenges posed by socio-economic disparity. This environment offers a unique chance to understand the real-life impacts of inequality on health outcomes. I am excited to engage with such a vibrant community and learn from the challenges it faces, as I believe these insights will be invaluable in addressing broader public health issues.
What are your future plans and what do you wish to gain from volunteering?
I envision a career in public health as a policy officer for the NHS or a not-for-profit organisation, where I can actively contribute to developing and influencing policies that promote health equity and address social determinants of health. Volunteering with Healthwatch will provide me with invaluable hands-on experience, allowing me to work closely with communities and gain a deeper understanding of the real-life challenges they face. This experience will inform my advocacy for meaningful policy changes in the future.
Additionally, this opportunity will enable me to develop essential skills in community engagement, research, and policy analysis, all of which are crucial for advancing my career in public health. Empowering marginalised communities and promoting health equity are at the heart of my motivation to volunteer here and seek opportunities beyond.
