11 June 2010
Volunteers celebrate their positive impact on Sheffield
The annual SheffieldVolunteering and Raising and Giving (RAG) showcase was held this week (9 June 2010) to celebrate and recognise just some of the highlights from this year´s voluntary activities carried out by students at the University of Sheffield.
The evening event, which was attended by the Lord Mayor, Councillor Alan Law, included exhibitions from over 30 volunteer projects which have taken place over the year, and was a chance to meet the participants who made them happen.
The event included talks by student volunteers and members of the community, who shared their success stories and talked about their passion for volunteering. Over the year, 158 schools, charities and voluntary organisations have benefitted from student projects. In total, over 1400 staff and students have volunteered over the year, which represents a 6% increase on the previous year. The Raising and Giving committee has seen a 24% increase in student participation this year, with over 85% of their proceeds going straight back into the local community.
One group of students, who organised the Flourish Project, shared their experiences of working with people with traumatic brain injuries. The project runs sessions providing the opportunity to socialise, relax and have fun whilst building on a range of skills.
Rodney Corbridge, a service user on the project, said: "I´ve really enjoyed the project this year and meeting with the students. We´ve all made friends and it is great telling them my stories each week."
Kiran Mahli, a 3rd Year Philosophy student and one of leaders of the Flourish project, said: "It´s been great to see this project grow over the two years. We´ve organised a range of activities such as cooking and quizzes and it´s really been a two-way relationship with the whole group learning from each other."
Councillor Alan Law said: "I´m delighted to be here to celebrate the students´ contributions to the local community. Volunteering is a crucial activity in this city and its important we recognise the achievements of student volunteers over the last year."
Stella McHugh, Manager of SheffieldVolunteering, said: "The Showcase evening gives us a chance to recognise the vital and inspirational role volunteers play in the local community and I´d like to take this opportunity to thank them for their hard work over the year." Notes for Editors: SheffieldVolunteering is based at the University of Sheffield´s Union of Students. Volunteers work with the homeless, refugees, the elderly, young people and others living with disabilities, learning difficulties and disadvantage.
For further information please contact: Lauren Anderson, Media Relations Officer, on 0114 2221046 or email l.h.anderson@sheffield.ac.uk
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