Civic recognition for University of York’s student volunteers
Posted on 6 May 2008
The achievements of more than 40 volunteering projects will be recognised in a special ceremony hosted by the Lord Mayor in the Mansion House tomorrow.
The ceremony is organised by the University Community and Volunteering Unit, and recognises the substantial contribution of University of York students to community-based volunteering projects.
We want to give something back to into the community where many of us live
Charlotte Leyland
The Youth Voice project, aiming to engage young people with key issues such as world conflict and resolution by organising an annual conference for A-level students, is now in its fourth year. It has attracted praise from senior academics as well as a member of the House of Lords.
Another project, Minds In Motion, allows people who suffer from dementia to take part in a variety of social and cultural activities in a supportive environment, without feeling embarrassed about their disability. The scheme is run by a group of students from the Hull York Medical School.
"We want to give something back to into the community where many of us live," explained student Charlotte Leyland.
Fellow volunteer Sarah Brownridge added: "Kids’ camp was perhaps one of the most physically and emotionally draining things I’ve done, but also one of my most rewarding experiences. Not only did I learn a lot about myself, I also learned about working as a team under pressure and how you cope when faced with challenging moments."
Projects are supported by the University Community Fund, and the fund’s co-ordinator Dr Allen Warren said: "Through the vision, commitment and sheer hard work of students, the fund has benefited local schools, charities, elderly people’s homes, Youth Services, sports clubs, homeless hostels, museums, theatres, the hospital and many more."
The ceremony will take place on Wednesday 7 May at 3pm at the Mansion House, York. Patrick Shepherd of the Shepherd Group will present the company’s Awards for Student Volunteering for the best projects, in the areas of Innovation, Achievement, and Growth and Development.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- The Community and Volunteering Unit at the University of York, in partnership with the Students’ Union (YUSU), supports more than 40 projects, creating hundreds of volunteering opportunities.
They include: Age Concern, Easy Pickings; Allotment Reminiscence; Amicus; Arc Light, Wider Web; Clifton Association for Recreation and Sport (CARS); College Volunteering; Community IT Helpdesk; Disability Consultation; Fairfax House Journal Collection and Exhibition; Fulford Social Hall; Fulford Youth Room; Glen Lodge on the Web (GLOW); Hebden Rise Reminiscence; Holy Trinity Church; Hospital Arts Strategy; Langwith Arts; Millennium Volunteers in Schools; Millennium Volunteers Summer Projects; MEG Initiative Fund; Music Education Group (MEG); Net Neighbours; NRM Oral History Project; One-stop-shop; Open Strings; Osbaldwick Primary School Tuck Shop; Photo|Soc Community; Radio Ryedale, Story Production Unit; Refugee Action York (RAY); Sports Volunteer programme (SVP); Stagecoach Theatre’s Expansion Plan for Students (STEPS); Stories that need telling; Student Action Kid’s Camps; Student Unit Consultation Group; Student Volunteers in York Museums (SVIYM); Voice and Influence; Woodlands Challenge; York Carnival; York College Buddy Scheme; York College Science Club; York Council for Voluntary Service (CVS) Information Library; York Scrapstore; York Students in Schools (YSIS); York Youth Chorus; YOUth VOICE Schools Conference.