New volunteering record by Kent students

University of Kent students have dedicated over 80,000 hours to helping others in 2011/12 - almost double their previous year's total.

The students' record contribution to the local community was celebrated at the annual Kent Student Certificate for Volunteering (KSCV) awards ceremony, organised by Kent Union at the University's Canterbury campus, on 24 May.

Over 250 students attended the ceremony to collect their KSCV Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum awards for volunteering on campus, across East Kent, the rest of the UK and internationally.

The highest honour, the KSCV Platinum Award combining volunteering with an academic module, was presented to eight students. Among them was Simon Smith (MSci Forensic Science), who has notched up over 1,000 hours volunteering for the Thanet division of St John Ambulance, fundraising for Kent Air Ambulance, presenting on 107.8 Academy FM in Thanet and running the University's Magic Society.

He said: 'I did not really notice the hours clocking up. I just got involved with my volunteering and became part of all the teams I worked with. I hope that the volunteering has provided some great skills for employment. If anyone was to ask would I do it again, I would answer yes as I am already planning new ways to fundraise for Kent Air Ambulance.'

Another student, Beenal Joshi (BA (Hons) Criminology and Sociology) has volunteered for 660 hours over the last two years, helping with East Kent Rape Line, Kent Union's 'Stage Spiders’ theatre group, the University's First Aid Group and membership of Kent Union's volunteering committee. Emily Morrey-McGrath (BA (Hons) English Language & History) has spent over 510 hours this year raising funds for the Children of Latin America charity, and taking on University roles including welfare officer for Darwin Student Committee, student trustee for Kent Union and Senate representative.

Praising all the student award-winners, Professor Keith Mander, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Kent, said: 'University is not just about studying for a degree, but the opportunity to take part in a wider set of activities from music and sport to developing interpersonal skills and help with student societies. Everyone involved has chosen to give their time freely and I think that's the most fabulous thing to do. Congratulations to all on giving so much to so many local charities and societies.'

Tom Ritchie, President of Kent Union, added: 'Volunteering has a transforming effect - it helps you grow as a person, develop skills and have fun. We are very proud of our volunteering network - volunteering is at the core of what we do and we couldn't do it without our students. Last year, Kent students devoted 46,000 hours to volunteering and this year it's over 80,000. Next year, we would love to reach over 100,000!'

To find out more about student volunteering at Kent, see http://www.kentunion.co.uk/volunteering

Contact: pressoffice@kent.ac.uk

Story published at 9:52am 1 June 2012