Volunteers lay foundations for extraordinary outdoor classroom
Senior staff and Student Union Officers from the University of Sheffield are helping to lay the foundations of an extraordinary outdoor classroom for children with learning difficulties.
Members of the University's Executive Board along with the new Students Union Officers took time out to work on an innovative project at Bents Green Secondary School.
The community school provides education for pupils between the ages of 11 and 19 who have special educational needs including severe learning and communication difficulties and autistic spectrum disorders.
Dedicated volunteers from the University of Sheffield gave up their time to help build a unique learning space which will be used as an outdoor classroom to stimulate pupils senses and academic development.
Abdi Suleiman, president of the Students' Union, said: "It was remarkable that with one day's hard work we were able to lay the foundations for a building that will be of benefit to the youngsters for a long time. It highlights the extraordinary power of volunteering and volunteers to improve, with even just a day's work, the lives of their communities.
"The outdoor classroom looks like an incredible learning space and I really wish there had been one at my school. I think it will really benefit the youngsters' education and it is very rewarding to know that we helped to make it possible."
The event was organised as part of SheffieldVolunteering's Volidays initiative. Volidays offer the chance for teams across the University to work together and enjoy themselves whilst making a difference to projects and schemes across the city and surrounding region.
Stella McHugh, Manager of SheffieldVolunteering, said: "Summer Volidays is a fantastic event. It's a great way for staff to celebrate the end of the academic year and enjoy giving something back to the community they work in."
Additional information
SheffieldVolunteering
SheffieldVolunteering has a huge range of fun and exciting projects you can get involved in. From kids activities, working with the elderly and the homeless to conservation, sports and everything in between! You’ll find one-off & flexible as well as longer term options - all to fit in with your spare time.
For more information visit SV or email volunteering@sheffield.ac.uk
The University of Sheffield
With nearly 25,000 students from 125 countries, the University of Sheffield is one of the UK’s leading and largest universities. A member of the Russell Group, it has a reputation for world-class teaching and research excellence across a wide range of disciplines.
The University of Sheffield has been named University of the Year in the Times Higher Education Awards for its exceptional performance in research, teaching, access and business performance. In addition, the University has won four Queen’s Anniversary Prizes (1998, 2000, 2002, 2007). These prestigious awards recognise outstanding contributions by universities and colleges to the United Kingdom’s intellectual, economic, cultural and social life. Sheffield also boasts five Nobel Prize winners among former staff and students and many of its alumni have gone on to hold positions of great responsibility and influence around the world.
The University’s research partners and clients include Boeing, Rolls Royce, Unilever, Boots, AstraZeneca, GSK, ICI, Slazenger, and many more household names, as well as UK and overseas government agencies and charitable foundations.
The University has well-established partnerships with a number of universities and major corporations, both in the UK and abroad. Its partnership with Leeds and York Universities in the White Rose Consortium has a combined research power greater than that of either Oxford or Cambridge.
Contact
For further information please contact:
Amy Pullan
Media Relations Officer
The University of Sheffield
0114 222 9859
a.l.pullan@sheffield.ac.uk