Spotlight falls on achievements of York student volunteers
Posted on 15 April 2011
The Shepherd Group Awards for Student Volunteering recognise the hard work of University of York students in three categories – Innovation, Growth and Development, and Achievement.
The nominated student project teams have worked tremendously hard in the wider local community while pursuing their academic studies
Patrick Shepherd, Deputy Chairman of the Shepherd Group
Around 1,000 student volunteers from the University give up 38,000 hours of their time to help York communities every year. Student teams will receive the special awards at the 2011 Higher York Student Volunteering Awards on 9 May 2011 at the National Centre for Early Music in the city.
Patrick Shepherd, Deputy Chairman of the Shepherd Group, said: “The Shepherd Group strongly supports enthusiastic and willing volunteering. The nominated student project teams have worked tremendously hard in the wider local community while pursuing their academic studies. They provide some outstanding examples of the many students who volunteer under the umbrella of the University’s Community and Volunteering Unit, which the Shepherd Group is pleased to support.”
Teams nominated include Full of Life, a city-wide project which seeks to tackle stereotypes of older people. Working with stakeholders including City of York Council and York Older People’s Assembly, the team has designed and launched a photographic competition to capture the best elements of a vibrant, passionate and engaged older population.
Chris Weeks, Business Support Manager, Adult Provision and Modernisation, City of York Council, said: “This project simply would not have been possible without the input of the team of volunteers. They have brought high levels of energy and commitment from the word ‘go’, coupled with great ideas and ingenuity. Their efforts will hopefully be rewarded with a high level of entries to the photo competition and a successful touring exhibition which will celebrate ageing and the part that older people play in the life of the city.”
The Student Management Group of York Students in Schools (YSIS) has also been nominated for an award. The team recruit student volunteers to go into schools, providing training, management and review of the placements, as well as organising an annual celebration event.
Dan Bodey, Assistant Head of Fulford School in York, said: “York Students in Schools is one of the most positive schemes we are involved in as a school. The students love the extra attention, and the support they receive from an approachable and competent extra pair of hands benefits them academically. The teachers have a superb extra resource to allow them to give extra attention to individuals or small groups within their class.”
In total five teams of students have been nominated by University staff to receive one of the three awards. Winners are chosen by the Executive of the University Volunteering and Community Committee and receive a certificate in honour of their achievements.
Nominees also include the Community and Volunteering Unit Postgraduate Facilitators. Since October, four Postgraduate Facilitators – all experienced student volunteers – have been working closely with project teams, supporting less experienced students with peer-to-peer mentoring.
Two teams of students involved in developing and delivering modules for school children as part of the York Cares Kids College – now the York Children’s University – have also been nominated. Students from the University’s Department of Education developed a module on Food and Hospitality, while a small team working with the Food and Environment Research Agency (FERA) created a module on the Science of Food.
The Shepherd Group Awards will be presented to University of York students at the 2011 Higher York Student Volunteering Awards held on 9 May 2011 from 6.30pm to 9pm. The Higher York awards acknowledge the considerable contribution made to the local community by student volunteers from Askham Bryan College, the University of York, York College and York St John University.
Notes to editors:
- The Shepherd Group Awards for Student Volunteering are supported by The University Community Fund. For further information on volunteering at the University of York visit www.york.ac.uk/careers/volunteering
- Higher York is a partnership between Askham Bryan College, the University of York, York College, York St John University, Craven College and City of York Council. More information can be found at www.higheryork.org
- For further information on York Students in Schools, visit www.york.ac.uk/careers/ysis
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