Spotlight on John Braime

What is your role and what does it involve?

I am Manager of the Volunteering Services Unit (VSU). We are one of the largest volunteering departments in the higher education sector and connect UCL students with community organisations across London.

We also help students to set up their own projects as part of our Innovation Programme, and promote one-off volunteering activities. We're also open to staff, so please feel free to get in touch with us - we'd love to hear from you.

How long have you been at UCL and what was your previous role?

I've been here almost nine years. Before that I was at Leeds City Council where I was a Community Development Worker on a regeneration project. Prior to that, I worked for the volunteering charity, Community Service Volunteers (CSV).

My role with CSV involved assisting young people with volunteering across the UK, while at Leeds, I worked with people who ran their own community organisations - which is where the Innovation Programme idea came from and why I'm so committed to student-led projects.

What working achievement are you most proud of?

Seeing student volunteering numbers grow! We've doubled the numbers involved over the past three years. I'm proud that we've helped connect so many students with volunteering; we hear amazing stories from the community about the difference the students are making.

Most specifically, I'm proud of the Innovation Programme, as it has been such a success.

What do you do outside of UCL?

I'm a trustee for Fitzrovia Youth in Action and have a keen interest in that area and its history. For the past few years, I've organised a charity literary event called Writloud and dabble in writing in my spare time. My main sporting endeavour is to organise occasional table football tournaments.