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UCL celebrates work of student volunteers

10 June 2010

Link:

The student volunteering team from Spectrum uclunion.org/volunteers/" target="_self">Volunteering Services Unit

UCL has celebrated the work of its 1,000-strong army of student volunteers at an awards ceremony.

This year's volunteers have worked with children, improved the environment, helped disabled people, refugees and asylum seekers, and much more, with the support of the Volunteering Services Unit (VSU).

Michael Worton, UCL Vice Provost (International & Academic), said: "Each year, the VSU and our volunteering students go from strength to strength. This year, UCL students contributed nearly 26,000 hours, i.e. more than 12 working years to the Borough of Camden, a truly significant achievement. What I find most inspiring is that every year, there are more and more students who choose to volunteer in the community. This is something of which UCL is enormously proud."

James Hodgson, UCL Union Student Activities Officer, said: "It is often easy to forget that the volunteers are also full-time students at a demanding and world-leading university, and I hope they are extremely proud of themselves for everything they have achieved. I know that people whose lives they have benefited in their voluntary work will echo my sincere appreciation for all their efforts."

The volunteers each received a certificate to thank them for their contribution to the community. Three special awards were also given to recognise excellence in volunteering. These were:

  • Innovations Programme of the Year: won by Spectrum, a charity run by UCL medical students, providing support for children with special needs.
  • Volunteering Organisation of the Year: won by The Dorcas Project, a charity providing befriending programmes and activities for older people and people with disabilities in Islington.
  • Inter-Hall Challenge Winners: won by students at Schafer House for their one-off volunteering events and charity fundraising efforts.

For more information about the VSU and the various projects it supports, follow the link above.

Image: The student volunteering team from Spectrum


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