Good deeds and kind hearts at the University of Bristol

Press release issued: 24 February 2014

Today marks the start of Student Volunteering Week (SVW), a nationwide celebration of student volunteering in local communities and beyond.

Students from the volunteering arm of the University of Bristol Students’ Union (UBU) and Bristol Hub are organising events and competitions throughout the week to mark the occasion and to raise awareness of the hundreds of ways students impact upon the local community.

SVW ‘Good Deed Day’, the nationwide launch event, takes place today [Monday 24 February]. Students from across the UK will make a coordinated effort to make a difference in their local communities.

Events will take place throughout the week at Bristol including a talent show, a volunteering fair, and talks promoting the benefits of volunteering during university.

‘Bristol’s Got Talent’ will showcase University of Bristol students hopeful of being crowned ‘Bristol’s Most Talented’. The show will include performances from the live music, dance, drama and pole fitness societies this evening at 7.15pm in the Anson Rooms. The event will be compered by comedians Clint Edwards and Finn Taylor.

All money raised from the talent show will help support the Spring Senior Dinner Dance - a dinner party thrown for vulnerable older people in Bristol by UBU Volunteering.

Over 50 charities including Bristol Samaritans, Age UK, Oxfam, Macmillan and Guide Dogs for the Blind have been invited to attend the volunteering fair to demonstrate the one-off and regular opportunities available for students.

Ellie Williams, Elected Officer for Community at UBU, said: “With the rise in higher education fees many students want more out of their university experience. No matter what a student is passionate about there are opportunities for everyone to get involved and experience how challenging, rewarding and enriching volunteering can be.

“Student Volunteering Week showcases the positive difference that students have made and continue to make on campus and in their local, national and international communities.”

Every year students from the University of Bristol average 100,000 volunteering hours and raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for good causes through innovative events and projects.