UCL celebrates Student Volunteering Week

The volunteers helped to brighten up Tyysen Primary School by painting murals and decorating the playground. Gary Boyd, Deputy Headteacher, said: "It's fantastic that young people who have made it to university can help provide an inspirational environment for their much younger counterparts at school."

Volunteering has really taken off at UCL since the creation of the UCL Union Voluntary Services Unit in September 2002. Voluntary Services Coordinator, Mr John Braime said: "More and more staff and students are realising that when you get involved in the local community, you're not just helping other people - you are also developing new skills, building your CV and getting to know London."

The unit has plenty of activities from which the UCL community can choose. Volunteers have been involved with various endeavours, including coaching a homeless persons' football team, helping an overseas development charity with its campaigning work, conducting guided tours around some of London's heritage sites and planting new trees in a conservation area.

Others have seized the initiative and set up their own projects to improve the local community, such as a party for isolated elderly people which UCL students organised before Christmas.

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

Link:
UCL Union Voluntary Services Unit