Student volunteers at Bristol University will be swapping their normal roles for those of decorators at Withywood Community School tomorrow [Saturday, 4 November] to mark the start of this year’s Student Community Action (SCA) Week. The painting and decorating day is the first of many community volunteering projects being held during SCA Week, which aims to highlight the voluntary work carried out by students.
This week showcases some of the 30 community and charitable projects organised by SCA. Over 1,000 student volunteers generously donate their time and effort towards a range of valuable causes, including working in a night shelter for the homeless, assisting at a day centre for the elderly and helping out in local schools.
The local community will have the chance to experience and see for themselves some of the exciting activities SCA has in store this week, including two day trips for children, an outing to Bath for the elderly and a sponsored sleep-out for the homeless.
Student volunteers will be taking disadvantaged children on two fun-filled day trips to help support members of the Gingerbread charity. The national charity provides help for 1.8 million lone parents and their children throughout England and Wales. One trip will visit the Woodlands Leisure Park, home to the UK's largest indoor activity centre, with boating lakes, an animal farm and falconry displays. Another trip will explore Wookey Hole Caves and Dinosaur Valley.
A sightseeing trip to Bath organised for 20 of Bristol’s senior citizens, combining shopping and cream teas, will delight volunteers and sightseers alike. This activity is followed by a sponsored sleep-out by Bristol University students, to help raise money for the Julian Trust Nightshelter Project
The SCA regularly sends volunteers to help out at the shelter, which provides over 100 meals each night as well as 15 beds for the homeless.
Other student-based events taking place throughout the week include a SCAndal clubnight, speed dating, a jazz evening and a CV skills session.
David Speirs, SCA Co-ordinator, commenting on SCA Week, said: “SCA volunteers give over 100,000 hours to the local community every year and SCA week gives us the opportunity to promote and celebrate that contribution.”