Nominations open for volunteering award

The Volunteer of the Year Award, sponsored by The Midcounties Cooperative, recognises students who have made a significant and meaningful contribution to the community by volunteering.

It is the third time the awards have been held, and the launch of this year’s award has been timed to coincide with national Student Volunteering Week which starts today (21 February 2011).

will be holding drop-in sessions throughout the week across Wolverhampton City and Walsall campuses to promote volunteering.

On Tuesday 22 February 2011, students will have the opportunity to talk to Active Volunteers or organisations such as Groundwork – Spots v Stripes project, Wolverhampton City Council’s Children’s Services and Guide Dogs for the Blind about their volunteering opportunities. The event will be held in MC022 in the MC Building at City Campus.

Students and staff will also have a chance to take part in Blind-Fold Walks with a Guide Dog in training.

Simon Brandwood, Head of Careers and Employment, said: “The theme for Student Volunteering Week 2011 is ‘inspiring futures; connecting communities’, highlighting the personal and professional benefit of student volunteering to the individual, as well as the value of volunteering to the education institution, and the private, public and voluntary sectors.

“Our students volunteer at a wide range of local organisations and we are delighted to be able to recognise their hard work and commitment with our annual Volunteer of the Year Award.”

To be eligible to apply or be nominated for this award, University of Wolverhampton students must have registered for the Volunteering Certificate and have completed a minimum of 50 hours volunteering.

The closing date to submit nominations for the award is 31 March 2011.

For more information, visit the Active Volunteers website, which includes entry guidelines and the nomination form to download www.wlv.ac.uk/activevol

ENDS

For more information please contact Vickie Warren in the Media Relations Office on 01902 322736