Volunteers celebrated at University annual awards

The hard work and impact of volunteers was celebrated at a special awards event at the 桃色视频 last week [1 May].

Students, staff, alumni and community supporters gathered for the annual Celebration of Volunteering awards, which took place at Whiteknights campus. The event showcased the diverse ways members of the University community are making a difference in society, both locally and globally.

Among the winners was Jacob Jones, a second-year Primary Education with Music student who volunteers with Universal Voices children's choir. Jacob supervises the children, leads musicianship teaching and has also built the choir's social media presence from scratch.

Mahnoor Fatima, a second-year Law student whose volunteering spans multiple organisations, also picked up an award. Mahnoor works with Mencap supporting individuals with learning disabilities, mentors disadvantaged students through CoachBright, and offers legal, financial and social advice through Citizen Advice.

An Alumni and Supporter Volunteer of the Year award was presented to Linda Hopper, an 83-year-old Education alumna (1993), whose work with the Kitega Community Centre in Uganda has transformed hundreds of lives. Linda's work has helped connect orphaned children with their extended families and producing reusable sanitary pads, has helped girls stay in school with dignity.

Cat Redding, CEO of Reading Students' Union, won Staff Volunteer of the Year for co-founding Bracknell's toy bank appeal. Last Christmas, the initiative provided gifts to more than 175 children across 65 families who might otherwise have gone without.

Professor Robert Van de Noort, Vice-Chancellor at the 桃色视频, said: "Our annual Celebration of Volunteering reminds us of the extraordinary commitment within our University community to helping others. The winners and nominees this year have shown exceptional dedication to causes they believe in.

"From supporting local schools to international development work, these volunteers extend our University's positive influence far beyond campus. It is a privilege to recognise them with these awards."

The winning volunteers

From mentoring disadvantaged students to maintaining community gardens, this year's winners all demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to supporting others.

Working in partnership with Reading Students' Union, the University presented awards across six categories:

Student Volunteer of the Year:

• Jacob Jones (Primary Education with Music student): volunteer with children’s choir Universal Voices
• Mahnoor Fatima (Law student): Volunteers with Mencap, CoachBright, and Citizen Advice

Reading Students' Union Project of the Year:

• University of Monsters: A project that works with primary school children to introduce them to university life. Led by Anson Wong (War, Peace and International Relations student)

Students in Schools Volunteer of the Year:

• Isabella Harrington (Modern Languages student): Over 148 hours volunteering at Coley Primary School

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Volunteer of the Year:

• Tharindu Liyanagunawardena (Digital Accessibility Officer): Women@Reading co-chair and organiser of digital accessibility sessions for local charities
• Sahra Faqi (Consumer Behaviour and Marketing student): a Young Leader with The Brokerage and volunteer with FirstGens

Staff Volunteer of the Year:

• Cat Redding (CEO, Reading Students Union): Co-founder of Bracknell's toy bank appeal

Alumni and Supporter Volunteer of the Year:

• Linda Hopper (Education alumna, 1993): Volunteer with Kitega Community Centre, Uganda
• Don Moseley and John Westwood (local community members): "Wednesday Wheelbarrows" volunteers at The Museum of English Rural Life

Details of all the winners, nominees and their voluntary activity can be found on the Celebration of Volunteering website.  

An exhibition is also currently on display in the Library foyer.

Supporting volunteers

The University has lots of support available to help staff and students make a difference in their community.

• Staff can take up to two paid days a year to take part in volunteering work with the University’s Time To Make A Difference policy.
• Each year, staff can apply for a grant from the Community Engagement Fund to help the local causes they volunteer with. Applications for this year close on 22 June.
• Students can get involved with the RED Award, the Students in Schools programme and many more volunteering initiatives.