04 November 2009
New students get to know their local community
New first year students at the University of Sheffield have been getting to know their local community, through a series of volunteering projects aimed at introducing them to the Steel City.
Students from The Ranmoor Village, The Endcliffe Village, Tapton Hall and City and Central Campus accommodation, took part in a number of events over the last two weeks which saw them interacting with the general public and giving something back to the people of Sheffield.
Students from The Ranmoor Village helped out with a local dad´s event, with Park Academy School. The aim of the project was to encourage dads to get more proactive with their kids. The students helped dads to get stuck in, assisting with parenting workshops, games of cricket and football and making robots.
Tapton Hall students helped Hagg Hill Community allotment to improve site facilities for people who are marginalised, for example, homeless people or ex-substance users, so that they can grow food, learn new skills and move forward in their life.
Students from The Endcliffe Village helped Whirlow Hall Farm Trust to run their own comedy night to raise much needed funds. They oversaw the event from start to finish, helping to set up, sell tickets and run the bar.
Students living in the University´s City and Central Campus accommodation worked with the charity, Art in the Park, who invited families and children down to the local park to make monsters. The team helped kids get creative with the crafts, provided information to the parents and spruce up the park.
The projects were set up by Sheffield Volunteering and the Communities Project, which is a partnership between the University´s Department of Accommodation & Campus Services and the Union of Students. The aim of these taster volunteering sessions was to introduce students to volunteering and their local community whilst allowing them to make new friends in their own new student communities.
Due to the massive success of these projects, plans are now underway for more to take place before Christmas.
Nick Mouat, a student from Tapton Hall, said: "It was really enjoyable to be doing something hands-on in the outdoors, despite the constant rain. It was really satisfying to see the results of our days work in changing the landscape"
A representative from Hagg Hill Community Allotment Group, said: "Thank you to all the volunteers. The weather was poor and all of them worked really hard. I think that they are the group who has probably accomplished the most in such a small space of time!" For further information please contact: Lauren Anderson, Media Relations Officer, on 0114 2221046 or email l.h.anderson@sheffield.ac.uk
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