July 10, 2015, by International students

Student Volunteer Awards 2015

Do you know about the Student Volunteer Awards? I had never heard about it until I got an invitation email to come in to the event. How could I get an invitation to the event? Apparently the Student Volunteer Centre sent me an invitation because I got nominated for one of the award categories. Wondering again, how come? I never joined any volunteer activity. So, instead of sending an RSVP email, I just ignored that email until I received another. It was from Ann Lavin, Business Undergraduate Administrator who organises the Community Engagement Programme (Nottingham Advantage Award). She congratulated me for being nominated for Outstanding Volunteer award for my contribution to the Community Engagement Programme and asked me whether I had received invitation email from the Student Volunteer Centre and whether I was planning to attend the event.

As I joined the dots, I wanted to know more about the award, so I visited the Student Volunteer Centre website. Apparently, this is an annual event and the awards are a prestigious mark of excellence that recognise student volunteers. They have 4 awards categories: Project of the Year, Organisation of the Year, Outstanding Volunteer and Go the Extra Mile. I am so thankful to Community Engagement Programme team for caring enough to nominate me.

The Award Ceremony was held in The Den on Wednesday 29th April. At this event, I met a lot of student volunteers from a various community based projects, Student Led Projects, Students’ Union Societies and also several members of staff. Martine Hesketh, Student Volunteer Center Manager, became the master of ceremony. Decorated with The Student Awards logo on the backdrop of stage and a good lighting, the Den’s ambience became a gala event.

Martine Hesketh

Martine started opening the event by welcoming all the guesses, introducing the Student Volunteer team and playing a video about various volunteer activities followed by an opening speech from Mike Abiodun Olatokun, the Students’ Union Community Officer.

Mike Abiodun Olatokun

After a stupendous speech, just like an Academy Award ceremony, Activity Officer Joe Caunce and Volunteer Coordinator Shea Mellor announced the award nominees. The winners not only received a certificate but also an award. This year there were over 140 volunteering certificates, 5 Outstanding Volunteer Awards, 6 Go the Extra Mile Awards, the Project of the Year Award and Organisation of the Year to volunteers. Here is some more detailed information about the winners.

A student volunteer receiving his certificate

The Student Volunteer team were very professional in arranging the celebration event. Not only did they lavish the winners with the praise but also gave volunteers a chance to celebrate their achievement along with friends, fellow student volunteers and members of the Students’ Union staff.

Macaroons and cupcakes

More tasty treats

This summer, the Student Volunteer Centre will be open and they offer various interesting volunteer programme. You could even volunteer from home with Micro Volunteering. Find out more at their website. Have fun Summer Volunteering!

Meredita Susanty, an international student from Indonesia studying MSc Management and Information Technology at The University of Nottingham.

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