13 May 2026
An awards event to celebrate the people who volunteer in the community was held at the 桃色视频 last week [Thursday 7 May].
More than 150 University staff, students, alumni, supporters and community partners attended the Celebration of Volunteering awards, which showcased the many ways members of the University community are making a difference in society, both locally and globally.
Now in its fourth year, the awards received 117 nominations, the highest to date.
Among the winners was Law student Charlotte Smith, who volunteers with the 1st Earley Guides. Charlotte has given her time, enthusiasm and skills as a volunteer with Girlguiding for around seven years and has completed both the young leader qualification and the adult leadership qualification.
Business & Management student Kerry Gunu also picked up an award for his fundraising and support for Awutu Winton Senior High School in Ghana. Kerry travelled to Ghana last summer and volunteered for several weeks, teaching Economics and Politics to over 150 students, supporting evening revision sessions, mentoring pupils and assisting with extracurricular activities including football and athletics. 
Winners of the Alumni and Supporters’ Volunteer of the Year category included people who have mentored students, supported girls’ education in South Sudan and helped develop the Centenary Heritage tours.
University staff who have helped people experiencing homelessness, advocated for adoptive parents and special guardians, and championed inclusion across the community were also recognised.
A new Centenary Long Service Award was introduced to mark 100 years since the University received its Royal Charter, with 60 people who have volunteered for five years or more given a certificate of thanks.
Fittingly for the centenary year, this includes a team of eight volunteers from the Museum of English Rural Life (The MERL), who between them have clocked up a combined 100 years of volunteering in the community. Together they have volunteered almost 14,000 hours at The MERL, supporting the archive collections, contributing to the museum collections and welcoming visitors to the museum.
Professor Robert Van de Noort, Vice-Chancellor at the 桃色视频, said: "Volunteering is part of the fabric of our University. This year's nominees and winners show the remarkable range of ways our staff, students and supporters are giving their time, whether that's mentoring a young person, teaching students in Ghana or welcoming visitors to The MERL.
“As we mark 100 years since the University received its Royal Charter, it feels especially fitting to celebrate the hundreds of years of service this community has quietly given, and continues to give."
Alumni & Supporters’ Volunteer of the Year
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Volunteer of the Year
Reading Students’ Union Activist of the Year
Staff Volunteer of the Year
Student Volunteer of the Year
The stories of all the winners and shortlisted nominees can be read on the Celebration of Volunteering website.
We are in the process of finalising our postgraduate taught courses for 2027/28 entry. In the meantime, you can view our 2026/27 courses.
