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Each month our student volunteers are making headlines for the work they are undertaking in the local community. We try to celebrate their achievements on these pages and also bring you news of Worcester Headway Trust's activities.
October 2012
Freshers' Volunteering Crew (FVC) Make the News
Our FVC have made the news in an article in October's edition of The Voice
V-records hit the 100 mark! 
Only 6 weeks into term we have already handed out over 100 v-records. This means we have already beat last year's number.
v-records are available from the Students' Union Welcome Desk.
30th October 2012
FVC Feedback
We had a great session in the Pear Tree when around 15 FVC turned up for our debrief session to let us know how their experience as an FVC member went.
I've used some of their thoughts to create this word cloud!
September 2012
Freshers' Volunteering Crew (FVC) help make Freshers' Week
The orange t-shirts of the FVC could not have been missed around campus throughout the last week. Be it in the Students' Union issuing NUS Extra cards, taking membership payment at the Sports & Societies Fair or attending our Welcome BBQs, the FVC accrued a huge 500 hours of volunteering throughout the week.
The FVC play a vital role in Freshers' Week and enable the Students' Union to run all of the events and opportunities that help to make it a memorable and beneficial time for all of our new students.
So we would like to say a MASSIVE THANK YOU to all of you who gave up your time and make the week the success that it was.
If you would like to be a FVC member next year, check out some of the photos from this year.
August 2012
Our v-team volunteer awards winners board is now up in the Students' Union, near the entrance to Starbucks/Pear Tree.
Well done to all of our winners announced at the VoScAs 2012, for a full list click here
July 2012
Alex Donaldson who won Outstanding Volunteer of the Year at the VoScAs has been featured in a Worcester Standard Article.
10th July 2012
A STUDENT from St John's is set to rub shoulders with the world's greatest athletes after being chosen to be one of the medal bearers for the 2012 London Olympic Games which kick off at the end of this month.
Alex Donaldson's selection could even see him present the Gold medal to Jamaican sprint sensation Usain Bolt as the student will be on duty on the night of the 100 metres final in the Olympic Stadium.
The 22-year-old, who recently graduated from the University of Worcester with a degree in Sports Science, told The Standard he was delighted to have been chosen.
"I'm over the moon to have been selected and I cannot believe I will be rubbing shoulders with all the stars in a few weeks time," he said.
"All my family and friends are really pleased that I have got this chance and they have made a note of all the the dates I will be working and will record the ceremonies."
Alex, who grew up in Kent but now lives in St John's, was among the quarter of a million people who applied for volunteer positions during the Games.
He is among the 80,000 chosen to fulfil roles when the eyes of the world descend on London on July 27.
Alex will be on duty for events across London such as the volleyball and judo as well as the track and field events in the Olympic stadium itself.
He will also be part of the Paralympic Games when they take place in London in August.
As well as his degree, Alex has also devoted more than 100 hours as a volunteer to assist clubs such as Worcester Blind Football Club, Worcester Wolves Wheelchair Basketball and the Albion Wheelchair Football Club.
His kind-hearted dedication has also been rewarded with two awards from the University of Worcester earlier this year when he scooped the Making an Impact award, as well as being named Outstanding Volunteer of the Year.
Following his graduation, Alex hopes to build a career in sports development and coaching in his adopted home city and share his Olympic memories with young people.
June 2012
The University of Worcester has written an article of one of our VoScA nominees Sara Essa.
Thursday 7th June
Sports Student Lands Three Important Volunteering Roles at 2012 London Olympics
A sports student at the University of Worcester will have not just one, but three important roles to perform at the 2012 London Olympics.
Sara Essa will perform during the Opening Ceremony after securing a place with the official dance team; will be one of the Rowing Start Team Members, holding the boats for the competitors as they board; plus will be on duty as a Special Constable with the Metropolitan Police Service.
Sara, who hails from Marlow in Buckinghamshire, said: “I’m really excited about all three volunteering roles that I have managed to secure. It’s going to be such an historic occasion and I’m really looking forward to it.”
Twenty-year-old Sara, who is in the first year of a Sports Business Management degree, has volunteered at rowing events since 2006 when she helped out at the World Championships.
A close friend of five times Olympic Gold medallist Sir Steve Redgrave’s daughter, Sara said: “Both my mum and sister do a lot of rowing, and Steve Redgrave is a close family friend, so it’s always been something that I have been involved in. It’s fantastic to now be able to help out at the Olympics, although it’s quite a big responsibility getting the boats lined up and holding them steady for the competitors.”
Sara is also a keen dancer and applied to be part of the official opening ceremony, securing a place after two gruelling auditions.
“To be at the Opening Ceremony will be a huge honour,” she said. “I am really excited to be performing in front of millions of people. We are rehearsing a lot, in London, which is quit tough but I’m really enjoying it.”
As if that wasn’t enough commitment, Sara, who volunteered as a Special Constable with the Met Police about 18 months ago, will be on duty in Westminster during the Olympics.
May 2012
May was a busy year for the Students' Union seeing the conclusion of our volunteering year and our first volunteering awards.
Student life isn't just about the parties, we help out too
Inaugural Volunteering & Society Awards - The VoScAs
Our students packed out the Graham Hick Pavillion at Worcestershire County Cricket for our first ever Volunteering & Society Awards.
The awards celebrated the achievements of our students in volunteering activities in the community and with the Students' Union as well as the hard work of society members.
For a full list of nominees and winners for 2012 click here
To view our photo gallery of the night click here
The End of the 'Volunteering Year'
Friday 1st June will be the end of the volunteering year 2011/12, we will then commence with volunteering for 2012/13.
Can I count summer volunteering hours?
Any voluntary work undertaken over the summer months (from June onwards) can be counted for volunteer's hours for next year and awarded at the VoScAs 2013.
How do I log my hours?
All hours will continued to be logged in v-records, available from the SU Reception.
Can I carry over hours from last year?
We have decided to not allow volunteers to carry over hours. Each v-record should be an annual achievement, allowing students to gain a new certificate each academic year.
April 2012
Headway Newsletter April 2012
February 2012
Headway Newsletter February 2012
http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/9544345.Students_help_out_at_Headway
Students Help out at Headway
A CHARITY which supports people who have suffered a brain injury is receiving support from students.
The Headway Worcester Trust has teamed up with the University of Worcester’s student union to provide volunteering opportunities.
Students have been able to apply for roles including assisting clients in the day opportunities centre, charity shop support and marketing, media and website support.
Helen Dodd, day opportunities co-ordinator for Headway Worcester Trust, said: “We have found the student volunteers to be intuitive, hard-working and enthusiastic. Many of them are now long-term volunteers.”
January 2012
St Richard's Hospice Volunteering Stall
St Richard's Hospice had a great lunchtime in the Students' Union letting students know about some of their volunteering opportunities.
Knowing students so well, they ensured they brought some sweeties!
December 2011
Student Bake Sale
One of our student volunteers, currently volunteering with Headway, organised a delicious bake sale in the SU.
By enlisting the help of some friends they managed to make over £150.
October 2011
Headway Worcester Trust gets busy signing up our Freshers
Headway Worcester Trust attended last month's Freshers' Fair and were thrilled with the number of enquiries they received about volunteering.
Both Headway and the Students' Union hope that 2011/12 will be a busy year for volunteering and we've got off to a great start.
Pictured: Claire Wagstaff from Headway Worcester Trust and Kate Gynn, Student Advisor.
September 2011
http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/9234856.Rugby_legend_tackles_charity_shop_relaunch/
Rugby legend tackles charity shop relaunch
RUGBY legend Pat Sanderson was on hand to help relaunch a Worcester charity shop.
The former Worcester Warriors captain cut a ribbon to officially open the new-look Headway shop in Lowesmoor yesterday.
The revamped shop will raise funds for Headway Worcester Trust, which provides information, support and services to people with brain injuries, their families and carers.
Alan Purchon, director of Headway Worcester, said: “We are delighted to be training in our new premises and I am very thankful to all our hard-working staff and volunteers who have rallied round to get the new shop up and running.
“Special thanks should be given to the Worcester College Summer School Team, who donated their time to completely repaint the shop.
“Also thanks to Angie Bennett, who dressed the windows with all the generous donations we have received.
“I would urge local people to pop by to our fantastic new shop, meet the team and have a look through some of our high-quality items.
“Every purchase or item donated to the shop will help fund the invaluable work we do in the community.”
The shop, which is open Monday to Saturday from 9.30am to 4pm, is looking for donations of clothing, books and bric-a-brac.
To volunteer, call development manager Claire Wagstaff on 01905 729729.
August 2011
Our new volunteering partnership with Headway Worcester Trust has made it into the Worcester News! Follow the link below to read the story.
http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/9175866.Volunteers_at_university_in_charity_link_up/
Leading University and Local Charity make their mark.jpg)
The University of Worcester Students’ Union and local charity Headway Worcester Trust Ltd have joined forces to help student volunteers make a mark in the local community.
The Students’ Union chose Headway Worcester Trust Ltd to co-ordinate their volunteering opportunities for university students – Headway Worcester will be the first charity to provide this service for the forthcoming academic year. The charity, which supports adults with an acquired brain injury, will set up a range of projects ranging from business management, fundraising, communications, marketing and web design, to visual merchandising and exhibitions.
Claire Wagstaff, Development Manager for Headway Worcester Trust Ltd said:
“We are delighted that Worcester Students’ Union have chosen us to provide volunteering opportunities for their students.”
“In addition to the more traditional volunteering roles, we want to offer a more progressive dimension to volunteering.”
“In this challenging job market, we hope to make students more employable giving them something extra whilst they are also providing a valuable service to the community.”
“Our brain injury survivors and staff cannot wait to welcome the student volunteers in the coming months.”
SU President, Sam Lewis said:
“Students at the University of Worcester are always looking to make a real difference in their community and as such we are thrilled to be joining forces with such a worthwhile, local charity.”
“Working together with Headway Worcester we are keen to expand the volunteering opportunities on offer to appeal to our diverse student body, and substantially increase the number of students who will be volunteering”
“I look forward to working with Headway Worcester and witnessing the programme’s future success.”
