UCL volunteers celebrate a year of achievement

More than 150 volunteers were recognised at the awards, for their involvement in activities as diverse as coaching a refugees' football team to feeding animals on an urban farm.

Around 80 people gathered in UCL's Old Refectory for the event, including Counsellor Nash Ali, the Mayor for Camden, and Professor Michael Worton, UCL's Vice-Provost (Teaching & Learning).

The ceremony also marked the end of the unit's first year. Set up in September 2002, to coordinate UCL staff and students who wished to be involved with local community projects, the unit has proved to be very successful. Mr John Braime, UCL's Voluntary Services Coordinator, said: "We've had a fantastic response from members of the UCL community, who contributed more than 1,700 hours of voluntary work since last September. We've seen that students do care about the neighbourhoods they live and study in, and that many community projects have been able to utilise their energy and enthusiasm."

Next year, the unit plans to introduce a formal accreditation scheme, provide more training for volunteers, develop more student-managed volunteering projects and conducting an evaluation of their work's impact.

To find out more about the unit use the link below.

Link: UCL Union's Voluntary Services Unit