Celebrating student volunteering

Last night York celebrated the achievements of student volunteers at the annual Higher York Student Volunteering Awards.

Four students from York St John University along with others from Askham Bryan College, the University of York and York College were invited to the event at the National Centre for Early Music to receive awards for their commitment and dedication to voluntary work in the local area.

York’s Civic Party, along with representatives from local voluntary organisations and York’s universities and colleges, joined them for their celebrations.

The voluntary work that hundreds of students in York take up alongside their studies has a huge impact on the local community. Last year student volunteers gave at least 65,000 hours of their time, equating to over £402,000 if they were paid the minimum wage. Award winners have contributed to a wide range of voluntary projects, including running education workshops, conservation work, mentoring young people and care work.

Jake Millson, from York St John, who volunteers at Bishopthorpe Pre-School Playgroup, said: “I absolutely love helping out at playgroup, it's such a rewarding job anyway but to be recognised like this for my contribution is awesome.”

The value of the contribution made by student volunteers was summed up by Richard Stuttle, from Caroline’s Rainbow Foundation, who said: “Without students and volunteers, our charity would not be where it is today."

Other York St John students honoured at the awards were Mark Matinson (who volunteers with Caroline's Rainbow Foundation), Louise Robinson (National Trust, Beningbrough Hall) and Ben Rosenfield (York Theatre Royal).