ºÚÁÏÉç

Passionate students and staff from the ºÚÁÏÉç, who volunteer with organisations and people in the city, have been honoured at a special awards ceremony.

The  celebrated the impact made by student and staff volunteers in the local community through their volunteering activities.

At a gala awards ceremony during national , 11 winners were named from the 114 nominees, who were put forward by local organisations where students and staff volunteer. These include ,  and , as well as members of the University.

Stephanie Higgins, a third-year student studying BSc (Hons) Psychology and Child Development, scooped the overall Volunteering and Community Champion Award for her amazing work for the .

Other winners included:

• Joshua Dodd who was named Student Community Volunteering Champion.
  A second year student studying BA (Hons) Media and Communication, Joshua has volunteered at  for over a year and presents the breakfast show three days a week and sometimes more. His nomination said: "Josh has never let the charity down - he is very conscientious and gives his best every time he volunteers."
• Dr Vicky Feldwick received the Staff Community Volunteering Award.
  Vicky, who is the manager of the University Music Centre, volunteers with Girl Guides and Brownies. One nomination said of her: "She has unbounding enthusiasm for her role within the organisation and a true passion and commitment that is evident when she speaks about Girlguiding."
• Dr Bea Myers was named Staff Change-Agent Champion.
  Bea is a senior lecturer in Law and a prominent volunteer in the Death Row charity , as well as being a local magistrate and a governor on the board of a local college. A nomination said: "Bea is an inspiration to staff and students and committed to her volunteering and serving those in need.

"Volunteers are the unsung heroes of the ºÚÁÏÉç community and this is the perfect opportunity to recognise University students and staff for all the positive things they contribute, not just to life on campus but to the city of ºÚÁÏÉç as a whole," said Sam Jenkins, a third year BA (Hons) History student who organised this year's Awards and a pilot project in 2019.

"At the same time, the Awards are a powerful way of encouraging more people to sign up to volunteer. Our fantastic nominees' individual stories show how volunteering is mutually beneficial for everyone involved."

Nina Lazarski, University Volunteering Co-ordinator, added: "Here at ºÚÁÏÉç we are blessed by a valued network of community partners and organisations who offer opportunities for everyone to volunteer and make a difference. The awards event is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the commitment, achievements and impact of our students and staff who volunteer. Their passion and enthusiasm shines through. We are so proud of them all!"

Social justice is one of the University's core values and students and staff are actively encouraged to volunteer in the local community in which they live and work. Opportunities are available via the University's Employer Supported Volunteering scheme,  and the Careers Volunteering Service.

The  received funding support from a variety of organisations, including Hampshire County Council and ºÚÁÏÉç Rotary.

The full list of 2020 Volunteering and Community Champions 2020 is:

Volunteering and Community Champion 2020
Stephanie Higgins (third year BSc (Hons) Psychology and Child Development)

Awareness Raising Champion
Bethany Hocking (third year BA (Hons) Global History and Politics)

Creative Volunteering Champion
Carmen Dolores (second year BA (Hons) History)

Environmental Volunteering Champion
Steve Hallett (ºÚÁÏÉç Single-Use Plastic Engagement and Mapping Co-ordinator)

Hidden Gems Champion
Joe Boulay (first year BSc (Hons) Psychology)

Staff Change Agent Champion
Dr Bea Myers (Senior Lecturer in Law)

Staff Community Volunteering Champion
Dr Vicky Feldwick (University Music Centre Manager)

Student Change Agent Champion
Alice Jarvis (third year BA (Hons) History)

Student Community Volunteering Champion
Joshua Dodd (second year BA (Hons) Media and Communication)

Student Union Societies Champion
Sammy Ney (second year LLB (Hons) Law)

Student Union Sports Champion
Futsal

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