Volunteer Of The Month

Volunteer of the Month

At ARU Students' Union, we believe that everyone who spends their spare time to volunteer is a superstar! The volunteering that you are undertaking is helping people far and wide, and we believe that your efforts, motivations, accomplishments and inspirations should all be celebrated.

If you are, or know of a student who is an elected Representative or a Club or Society Committee Member, and you believe their volunteering work should be celebrated, you can nominate them to win one of our 2 monthly awards on your campus by using our nomination form below.

Volunteer of the Month Criteria Nomination Form

VOLUNTEERS OF THE MONTH

VOLUNTEERS OF THE MONTH

Kezia Peter Year 3 Medicine November 2024 Course Rep of the Month - Chelmsford
"Kezia has been an outstanding representative for the Year 3 Medical Year Group and has facilitated communication between the university and the students."
What have you enjoyed most about volunteering?
This is my second time as a course representative and I feel satisfaction when effective changes are made, providing students reassurance that their feedback is valued and acted upon. I enjoy helping others and learning more about the way the School of Medicine is organised. Overall, I know that this experience will be useful for my future development.
What skills have you learnt and used through your volunteering?
Communication, analysing and concisely collating vast amounts of feedback responses, then presenting them in a clear manner have been crucial for this role. I have learnt how to fully utilise technology to ensure feedback is accessible by students and ensuring multiple methods for liaising with staff when their availability is reduced. My confidence in these skills and more has developed as a result of experiences I have faced in this role.
Lou Parsons Year 3 Music Performance November 2024 Course Rep of the Month - Cambridge
“Lou has been helping a class mate from Valencia publicise their fundraising effort for relief those affected by the DANA storms across the Spanish region. This kind of proactive support for student campaigning efforts is exactly the kind of thing our course reps should be doing for their fellow class mates.”
What have you enjoyed most about volunteering?
The ability to get a better understanding of the views and needs of fellow students in my year group and see first-hand that changes are being made based on their suggestions. I get great satisfaction in witnessing the progress that is being made for our year group and in the idea that the work being done is benefiting future year groups.
What skills have you learnt and used through your volunteering?
Learning communication skills have been vital as it has been an issue identified on student feedback. Learning new was to communicate with the year group and with the university in ways that allow free speech from students but while keeping things professional with the university have been crucial and something my fellow student Rep and I aim to continue to improve on. Teamwork has become a big part of the role, whether working with the university as part of a student staff liaison committee or working with the other course reps on projects affecting the course. Considering all opinions and ideas in a team provides a more inclusive and diverse set ideas which better represents the cohort.
Afrika Maya Priestley MSc Animal Behaviour November 2024 Committee Member of the Month - Cambridge
She is the president of the Sustainability Society and she has worked tirelessly to ensure the society works perfectly. She is the perfect image of someone who goes above and beyond for their society and I appreciate her so much for everything she is doing. I would love it if her hard work was recognised.
What have you enjoyed most about volunteering?
What I've loved most is seeing the ideas grow and actually come into fruition. That's really exciting, especially as it is to do with sustainability. There is such potential for the impact we can make on campus and the wider community, and I think that keeps us all motivated.
What skills have you learnt and used through your volunteering?
I've learnt a lot already on so many levels from taking on the sustainability society. I think the top skills I've progressed in the most are project management and communication. For example, we have started a major project to transform an overgrown plot on campus into a biodiverse rich garden. This involves not only students but faculty too, there are many balls to juggle, and it's taught me a lot about leadership.”
Sonia Sun Public Health and Community Wellbeing Volunteer Role: Learning Disability Support - Hamelin Trust
Sonia is always reliable, conscientious and engaging. She supported one of our participants to access his own volunteering activity over a number of months, meeting him and making him feel confident in his abilities each Saturday. Sonia also helped with group social activities, making sure everyone was happy and supported.
What have you enjoyed most about volunteering?
I enjoyed the activities with people I support. Actually I learnt a lot from my volunteering. It changed my mindset that people with learning disabilities can achieve a credible life, if they can get necessary support from society.
What skills have you learnt and used through your volunteering?
Skills related to communication and interaction with people with learning disabilities.

PAST WINNERS