Student volunteering
Award-winning programme
Sheffield Volunteering (run by the University´s Union of Students) is an award-winning volunteering programme, which aims to encourage and make it easier for staff and students to give back to the community through volunteering.
In 2011/12, there were 1,659 students and staff from 57 departments active in the local community through Sheffield Volunteering. 143 organisations benefited from student volunteers. In all, volunteering hours totalled 26,269 hours. Our volunteers were active in 63 areas, mainly around Sheffield.
The student volunteers support the elderly, refugees, homeless, young people, parents and those with disabilities and learning difficulties. Students are also involved in environmental, animal welfare, advocacy, mediation and mental health projects.
Fund-raising efforts
In 2011/12, Rag, the Union's student-led fundraising initiative, raised over £187,110 for charities and donated 83% of this to local causes.
Beneficiaries have included:
- St Luke's Hospice
- Women's Aid
- Help a Hallam Child
- Sheffield Children's Hospital
- The Children's Centre.
SheffieldVolunteering has been recognised as a national model of good practice by the Higher Education Funding Council (HEFCE).