Two students have been recognised for their outstanding volunteering work in Plymouth and beyond – contributing hundreds of hours to their respective organisations.
Abby William and Claire Moss won Student Volunteer of the Year and Young Volunteer of the year respectively at the Plymouth Inspiring Volunteering Awards last week.
In this academic year alone, Abby has logged over 500 hours of volunteering, a figure which is continuing to rise in her work with Crownhill Rainbows, Brownies and Guides, Devonport Cubs and Beavers, Relays@UPSU, Friends and Families of Special Children, UPSU Student Led Volunteering projects, Pioneer II and the Royal Life Saving Society.
Meanwhile, Claire won for her commitment to Special Olympics Plymouth and District (SPOD), with her ‘good sense of humour and understanding’ highlighted by the judges.
The students’ wider success follows on from the University of Plymouth Students’ Union (UPSU) Volunteering Awards in May, where dozens were commended for various local, national and student-led projects.
Mark Lockett, Volunteer Manager at UPSU – which sponsored the Student Volunteer of the Year Award – said:
“It’s been a great end to the academic year celebrating the passion and dedication of student volunteers. It has been our honour to support students who give so much to the local and wider community during their time at university and watch them transform their lives through their volunteering experience.”
Professor Julian Chaudhuri, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Student Experience and Education, said:
“This academic year, students from the University of Plymouth have contributed over 22,000 hours of volunteering to various causes and organisations, and are on target to raise nearly £300,000. This is a huge achievement and shows the rounded nature and commitment of Plymouth’s students and the impact our students have in the local community, regionally and nationally.”