lsu.co.uk/action
ARE YOU AN
ACTION HERO?
WELCOME TO
Hi, I’m Anne. I joined the Action team as Action Administrator in September 2009.
LOUGHBOROUGH My name is Anna Milewska and I’m your Action Executive Officer 2016-17.
What is Action is the volunteering section of the Union, offering a diverse range of volunteering opportunities such as assisting special needs children in local schools, cooking for the homeless, sports coaching, or even going abroad to volunteer in places such as Ghana and Mexico! exc This handbook outlines all of our exciting volunteering opportunities. Each project leader’s email address is provided and they are happy for you to contact them to find out more about their project. Or if you have an idea for a new project that you think will make a difference within the local community, we can help you to turn it into a reality. ActionEO@lsu.co.uk 01509 635041 @ActionEO_LSU /ActionEOLSU lsu.co.uk/action (this is where you can sign up online to the projects that interest you)
ction? In the last 3 years we recorded almost 6,000 volunteers who contributed to 78,000 hours of work in our community and overseas! LSU Action was even recognised nationally when the Prime Minister presented us with the Big Society Award 2013. With many new projects commencing this year, there really is a project suitable for everyone whatever your personal interests and time commitments. There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer on a one-off basis, or if you fancy it you can volunteer more regularly through our weekly projects, helping you to build a relationship with your local community. I can promise you that getting involved in Action will be one of the most rewarding things you will possibly do whilst at Loughborough, so what’s stopping you? Get in touch today! For more information, feel free to drop by the Action office any time (located upstairs in the Students’ Union) or use the contact details on this page.
Anna Milewska Action Executive Officer
Can’t wait to meet you!
I love this job!! The Action department is such a fantastic place to be. Everybody who walks through our door has something special about them, freely giving up their valuable spare time to make a difference to the local community. I think each and every one of them is absolutely fabulous!
I’m really looking forward to meeting you. annecato@lsu.co.uk 01509 635042
My job is to support Anna with the projects and to ensure the safety of all our volunteers. I’m in the Action office Monday to Friday from 9:30am until 5pm and will do my utmost to help you with any queries. Send me an email annecato@lsu.co.uk or just pop into the office.
If you see ‘DBS required’ next to a project name this means it requires you to be DBS checked. This is essential for some of our projects (particularly those working with children and vulnerable adults). Should you decide to join one of these projects please contact me to find out what information you need to supply me with or take a look at www.gov.uk/dbs to find out more. This process takes between 3 – 6 weeks after your application has been received, so the sooner you can apply the better.
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Vice-Chancellor’s Welcome “Loughborough Students’ Union Action has an outstanding reputation for providing volunteering activities that are fun and make a real difference to our local community. People who live in Loughborough talk to me about the excellent work that Action does: it is one way that Loughborough students make a real and tangible difference to society that everyone appreciates. The range of things for you to participate in will be varied, giving you a great experience, providing you with opportunities to make new friends and enhance your curriculum vitae. Each year the number of Loughborough students joining action increases significantly and the volunteers are acknowledged as being among the best in the country. The work that Action volunteers do is central to other successes such as winning the WhatUni University of the Year and Students’ Union of the Year awards 2015. Action’s success is something that we are all very proud of at the University and I am personally delighted to support everyone who contributes to the wider reputation of Loughborough through their volunteering. I am extremely grateful to Action for the excellent work that they do. I wish Anna, her committee and everyone involved good luck. At some point during the year I always join Action volunteers and contribute
Robert J. Allison Vice-Chancellor Loughborough University to the volunteering hours total. Last year I helped with Soup Kitchen and one of their Sunday socials held in the Students’ Union building for some of Loughborough’s elderly residents. I very much hope that you will get involved and take advantage of this aspect of the Loughborough Experience: you will not regret it.”
A Message from the Director of Student Services Getting involved in Action projects is not only great fun, but helps develop additional skills and abilities that will increase your employability and can be included on your CV. The experience is also recognised by the Loughborough Employability Award. Lots of people find that involvement with Action projects provide them with a new circle of friends, develops their skills and adds something amazingly valuable to their Loughborough Experience. Loughborough has an incredible history of volunteering so take up the opportunities that are available and get involved!
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Manuel Alonso Director of Student Services Loughborough University
Many of our staff members from both the University and the Students’ Union also volunteer with Action! Not only do many of our projects take place during the weekends, there is also the possibility of organising department volunteering days for you and your colleagues.
To see how you can get involved please contact: ActionEO@lsu.co.uk 01509635041
Make the most of the opportunity and find out more at: lsu.co.uk/getinvolved/action/projects/staff
The Employability Award The Loughborough Employability Award will help you to stand out from the crowd. It provides you with a framework through which you can record your co-curricular activities (volunteering, work experience etc.) and reflect on the employability skills you have developed through taking part in these activities. Being able to articulate your skills is crucial when applying for jobs and having interviews. Volunteering in Action helps you build a range of transferable skills, and the award will allow you to have official recognition of the achievements beyond your course. Award applicants must get 100 points to complete the award, which can be achieved through a range of extra-curricular activities. Students must write a short summary of each activity and reflect on the skills they’ve gained.
How Action hours translate to employability award points: Bronze Award (10 hours) - 10 points Silver Award (25 hours) - 15 points Gold Award (50 hours) - 20 points Platinum Award (100 hours) - 30 points Diamond Award (150 hours) - 35 points How do I sign up? Attend an introductory session held by the Careers Centre and enrol on the award. lboro.ac.uk/service/careers/ experience/employability/award/
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Action
Action Hall
Committee Kathryn Freeman – Vice Chair
The Action Vice Chair is principally concerned with supporting and assisting the Action EO in all of their duties. It is my job to make sure they are happy and to help them in any way that they need! However, I am also responsible for designing, ordering and distributing Project Leader and Hall Representative stash, organising socials for Project Leaders and taking minutes at committee and rep meetings. It is also my job to encourage and develop engagement with Loughborough College and Postgraduate students. As well as this I am also in charge of looking after all Action alumni information and planning all alumni events.
Kim Clark
– Sports Action Officer I’m Kim and I’m your Sports Action Officer. My role is to oversee all of Action’s sporting projects - After School Sports Club, Coach and Volunteer Academy, In Tandem and Kids Olympics - and support their project leaders and volunteers. With opportunities ranging from coaching to running an after school club and riding bikes with disabled people to hosting a mini Olympics sports Action has a lot to offer. If you’re looking for a unique, rewarding experience then this is the section for you!
Andrew Long - Collaborations Officer
Hi I am Andrew and I am your Collaboration Officer, I am the main source of providing opportunities for societies, departments and staff wanting to get involved with Action! So, if you want to set up your own Action project with friends and lecturers from your course, do not hesitate!
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Rory Pears – Hall Reps Coordinator
Hello, my name Is Rory and I am this years Hall reps coordinator. My role is to help the Action EO in running the A team projects and food drives by overseeing the hall reps from the 16 halls. I am the first point of contact for the reps and it is my responsibility to make sure all the projects are filled and run smoothly. I also run the fortnightly hall reps meeting where agendas are discussed and projects are given out.
Rachel Addison - Equality Officer
This year will be another big one for the equality and diversity section, and as a part of my job role on committee I’ll be overlooking all of the projects in this section this year, as well as supporting the rest of committee with their roles, especially the wonderful Anna. This year I aim to increase the numbers on projects, but also make mini special events in each of the projects, so service users and volunteers alike have the best year for equality and diversity we’ve seen yet! I look forward to working with you all!
Lien Nguyen
– International Students Officer
Hi, I’m Lien and my role includes helping and recruiting international students to get involved with Action and give full support to the section’s project leaders to develop and run projects smoothly. (Come and join us, I promise, you won’t regret a moment.)
Henry Howard
- Multimedia Officer I’m Henry and my role as multimedia coordinator is to document all the great work we do in the section, I’ll be working with the committee and project leaders to get photos and videos of all projects online and available for all to see.
Representatives
Amy Cockram
– Young Persons Officer
Hi I’m Amy and I oversee the projects involving Young People. Whether it be helping out in our Campus Nursery, teaching young people about healthy eating or taking them out on day or even residential trips there truly is something for everyone. All projects involving young people require a DBS, please see the booklet for further information. For any queries or further information please feel free to contact myself or the project leaders separately! Look forward to having you as part of the Action Family!
Dan Holmes
– Community Outreach Officer Hi, I’m Dan, your Community Outreach Officer! My role is to oversee all the projects engaged within the Loughborough community, working closely with the project leaders to ensure the smooth running and development of this fantastic part of Action. From holding roast dinners and tea parties for the elderly, to giving schoolchildren an insight to university life and numerous special events throughout the year, this section is a great way to get involved and make a difference in the local area. I look forward to seeing you on one of our projects soon!
Maisie Packard
– Overseas Opportunities Officer Hi, my name is Maisie and I am your overseas opportunities officer. My role is to coordinate the trips which go overseas, support both the volunteers and the group leaders for the project and also liaise with the charities which we help. This year we have two new projects in Haiti and Guatemala! If you have any questions or thoughts about doing a project overseas, the feel free to contact me. See you at pick a project night.
Butler Court
Faraday
Royce
Cayley
Harry French
Rutherford
Sumha Cawser Rachel Addison
Zoe Olive Heather Bunnewell
David Collett Abi Rajah George Eaton
Elvyn Richards Emile Braud Toby Beasley
Falkner Eggington Sian Hopkins Beth Holliday
Rory Pears Liam Brierley Andy Barker Stuart Ashton
Hazlerigg-Rutland Ellie Hardinges Carly Atkinson
The Holt
Lily Sadler Meg Staines
Samuel Davies Honor Sharp Rachel Willems Matt Terry
Telford
Jessica Newman Aleksandra Gawor
Towers
Millie Middlebrook
John Phillips
To be elected in Term 1
Robert Bakewell Zoe Allemenou Hayden Salway
William Morris Emily Delves Gabriella White
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Projects with
Young People Number Partners
This project aims to help children build their confidence when working with numbers. Volunteers dedicate just one hour a week to play maths-orientated board games with young pupils in nearby primary schools. Schools have said that children involved in the Number Partners project are doing much better than expected in exams, making this a truly rewarding project.
Contact:
Josephine Harrison and Katrina Downes-Ward – Project Leaders j.c.harrison-14@student.lboro.ac.uk k.h.downes-ward-15@student.lboro.ac.uk
CHICKS
CHICKS is a national children's charity that provides free respite breaks for disadvantaged children from across the UK-children that live in poverty, suffer abuse, are young carers or have lost parents. A CHICKS break inspires new confidence and gives these children the chance to have fun, try new things and form positive childhood memories. More than anything, it gives them the chance to just be children. Our Respite Break Volunteers are positive, enthusiastic role models who spend the week interacting with the children, taking part in activities whilst encouraging the children to try new things. You will be a vital part of a team of 6 volunteers and 3 fully trained members of staff on a break which will give the children the chance to have fun, try new things and form positive childhood memories. More than anything, it gives them the chance to just be children.
Contact:
Hannah Whitehead – Project Leader h.l.whitehead-12@student.lboro.ac.uk
Action Nursery
If you fancy taking some time out to volunteer at the Nursery on campus then this project is for you! Children range from 3 months to 4 years old and volunteers are involved in activities such as carpet play, craft activities, outdoor play and even running your own workshops! A number of different opportunities are available with varying time commitments. We are always looking for new activities to take into the nursery, so whatever your talent of skill, we can find a way to get you involved! Volunteers committing to weekly volunteer sessions are required to have a DBS.
Contact:
Jasmine O’Garro and Jess Downs - Project Leaders j.ogarro-15@student.lboro.ac.uk j.downs-13@student.lboro.ac.uk
Kids Camp Kids Camp is a group project where volunteers organise a holiday for a group of young carers (aged 8-12 years) to give them a break from their usual day-to-day lives. Starting in October, the team, led by Amy and Georgia will arrange all aspects of the trip including meals, activities, days out and a theme to create an unforgettable holiday for the kids. Enthusiasm and commitment from the whole team is a must! The trip will take place in the Peak District from 29th March until 2nd April 2016. As one of the most oversubscribed projects, potential volunteers must go through an informal interview process to gain a place.
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Georgia Sharp and Amy Cockram – Project Leaders g.i.shorp-15@student.lboro.ac.uk a.cockram-13@student.lboro.ac.uk
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Projects with
Young People Kids Trips
Right to Read Right to Read volunteers go into local schools for just one hour a week to read one-to-one with children with below average reading abilities. The children benefit greatly as their confidence in reading builds and the volunteers really contribute towards the children’s academic progress.
Contact:
Clara Littlechild - Project Leader c.littlechild-14@student.lboro.ac.uk
This is a wonderful opportunity to spend time with young children who perhaps don’t have the same opportunities in life as many other children. Volunteers take children on trips to places such as the zoo, theme parks or the cinema, offering them new and exciting experiences. This is the perfect chance to volunteer without a major time commitment as the trips are one-off events dotted throughout the year!
Contact:
Heather Bunnewell and Mary Villar – Project Leaders h.l.bunnewell-15@student.lboro.ac.uk m.p.d.b.villar-14@student.lboro.ac.uk
S.T.E.M
S.T.E.M is a national initiative that was set up to encourage young people to engage in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics activities. It is aimed at students from primary right through to A-level age and, working with a qualified teacher, volunteers are responsible for interacting with these students on STEMbased activities! Volunteers are required to become Science Engineering Ambassadors; which involves attending one training session and committing to at least one activity/event per year. A great opportunity for anyone interested in a future in science and teaching!
Contact:
Stu Ashton – Project Leader s.ashton-14@student.lboro.ac.uk
Enterprise
This project is designed to improve the employability skills of high school students (Year 9/Year 10) and uses practical workshops to engage pupils in all aspects of business. Volunteers organise workshops which encourage innovation and improve students problem solving. Each session lasts a maximum of 2 hours and so can fit in well around your studies.
Contact:
Lawrence Worswick - Project Leader l.worswick-13@student.lboro.ac.uk
Community Outreachjects Pro
University Experience
This exciting project gives children from the local community the chance to experience student life for a day. Volunteers show children around accommodation, academic departments, sport facilities and other areas on campus. This is a great opportunity to engage with children and share your experiences of student life! Time commitment is minimal as there are only selected events throughout the year; therefore volunteers can sign up to as many as they wish.
Contact:
Zach Hachem, Emma Davies and Jonathan Rowson – Project Leaders z.hachem-15@student.lboro.ac.uk e.v.r.davies-15@student.lboro.ac.uk j.a.rowson-15@student.lboro.ac.uk
Robogals
Robogals is an international-not-forprofit, student run organisation that aims to substantially increase the number of females studying engineering at a tertiary level. Robogals volunteers visit schools to introduce girls to engineering through robotics workshops, presentations about what engineers do and the differences they make in society. Volunteers will be trained to use the robots and deliver the presentations which will hopefully inspire young girls to consider a future in engineering.
Contact:
James Owens– Project Leader j.g.owens-13@student.lboro.ac.uk
D
Kids Cooking Kids Cooking is a local project that aims to promote a healthy lifestyle with primary schools in Loughborough. A team of volunteers will help to teach the children how to cook healthy recipes and to play games to learn about healthy diets through a range of activities. The children can take home the skills that they have learnt to continue the activities with their families and friends.
Contact:
Alice Turner and Emma Finlayson – Project Leaders a.turner-14@student.lboro.ac.uk e.finlayson-15@student.lboro.ac.uk
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Contact the Elderly
Action
s t n e v E l l Ha
On the first Sunday of every month, Action volunteers host a tea party for approximately 15 local elderly residents with the aim of combatting social isolation. These residents rarely have the opportunity to go out, interact with others and perhaps don’t get to see their family very often. If you’re a good listener and like to chat over a cup of tea, sandwiches and scones, then this project is perfect for you!
Contact:
Although these projects are largely hall based, anyone can get involved. If you, or your team, would like to take part in an A-team or litter pick, please contact Rory Pears (Hall Reps Coordinator r.pears-15@student.lboro.ac.uk).
Nicki Frewer and Victoria Lithwaite – Project Leaders n.frewer-14@student.lboro.ac.uk v.a.linthwaite@lboro.ac.uk
Community Clear Up A-Teams
Sunday Roast Sunday Roast is a new project that brings together elderly residents, their families and students over a classic Sunday lunch. Running once a fortnight and entirely student-led, the project involves a group of Action volunteers helping to prepare, cook and serve a roast dinner and dessert to the elderly residents and their families, as well as sitting down to eat and socialise with them, providing a warm, welcoming and friendly atmosphere.
Could you imagine over 800 students mobilised to help their local community? Only in Loughborough!
Halls of residence compete to collect the most litter from the local area in this epic project which takes place in the summer term and attracts eye-watering numbers of dedicated and caring individuals.
Action A-Teams take place in the local community wherever necessary and can vary from painting murals and chopping down trees to creating wildlife gardens. A-Teams are the easiest and perhaps most exciting ways to become part of the Action team and you’ll seldom find a student who has only done one! In the past, student volunteers have undertaken various pursuits in Loughborough, each as challenging, exciting and truly entertaining as the last. Generally A-Teams are made up of volunteers from Halls of Residence who wish to give up an afternoon in order to work together, providing manpower and enthusiasm to benefit local schools, charities, churches etc.
Food Drive
As each term winds to a close Action relies on your generous donations of surplus nonperishable food. Whether it’s a tin of beans or some leftover pasta you knew you’d never finish, our partners at the local homeless shelters as well as our very own Soup Kitchen project would be more than grateful to receive whatever you have to give! We also collect any unwanted clothes that you may have hidden at the back of your wardrobe. Look out for your Hall Reps towards the end of each term who will be collecting all of these items!
A-Teams are one of the most vital projects in determining the coveted ‘Hall of the Year’ trophy, so get out of your flat for a few hours and dig deep (no pun intended) for your hall!
You don’t need to be a culinary genius to volunteer on this project, just a friendly face that’s willing to help!
Contact: Lien Nguyen and Dan Holmes – Project Leaders t.h.l.nguyen-15@student.lboro.ac.uk d.j.holmes-13@student.lboro.ac.uk
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l a i c e p S s t n e v E These are one-off annual events which offer students who are unable to commit to recurring projects the chance to engage with the local community. Year upon year the success of our Special Events is largely a reflection of the careful planning and organisation from the Special Events Project Leaders. They choose themes for events and ensure the preparation has been well thought-through regarding the interests of guests and fellow volunteers.
A Flick Down Memory Lane
This event is run in partnership with Flix, Loughborough Students’ Cinema. Action volunteers become old fashioned cinema ushers and usherettes, creating the feel of a traditional cinema experience for our local elderly residents where a classic, old-time film is shown with a refreshments interval. This is always a really enjoyable Sunday afternoon experience and a lovely Special Event to be involved in.
Kids Days Local school pupils have the chance to mix learning and playtime with our wide range of ‘Kids Days’. Whether it’s allowing their creativity to run wild with a fun-filled day of arts & crafts, putting on their lab coats for a hands-on forensics day or even travelling back in time at our history workshops, these days are always a huge success. If you’re free on a Saturday, come along and get involved!
Christmas Party This is a wonderful event for children to enjoy singing Christmas carols, playing games and meeting Santa. Volunteers are needed to oversee the children’s games and activities, and simply get into the Christmas spirit!
Contact:
Georgina Scott-Picton,Jena Glover-Dickson and Yashna Nanwai – Project Leaders g.scott-picton-15@student.lboro.ac.uk j.gloverdickson-13@student.lboro.ac.uk y.m.nanwani-15@student.lboro.ac.uk
Community
FUN DAY!
Sunday 21st May 2017
This wonderful summer event sees students and the local community come together for a fantastic, fun-filled day based on a traditional village fête, and also brings down the curtain on our Special Events calendar. The fun never stops with donkey rides, a bouncy castle, coconut shie and Punch & Judy being just a few of the attractions. Volunteers run stalls, paint faces, braid hair, run races, man the information point and much, much more, generally helping to make the event the success that it always is.
Tea Dance
Action volunteers organise a truly memorable afternoon for elderly residents where the supply of tea and cakes never runs out and the music evokes memories of days gone by. With music supplied by Tuxedo Swing, this popular occasion is loved by all who take part and is certainly one to look forward to. So if you fancy a go at the Quickstep, Charleston or Foxtrot, come down and let our guests show you how it’s really done! The presence of the Mayor and Mayoress, who usually attend, adds yet another dimension to this already special event.
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y t i s r e v i D & y t Equali Projects Ashmount Ashmount is a school for young people with severe learning difficulties. As a volunteer you can either help out in the classroom or with activities such as swimming or horse riding. This is an incredibly rewarding project for all involved, requiring you to commit to either one morning or one afternoon a week. Strong relationships are built between the young people and our devoted volunteers, a truly worthwhile project to be involved in.
Contact:
Rumour Sopp and Abigail Osborne – Project Leaders r.d.sopp-14@student.lboro.ac.uk a.m.osborne-14@student.lboro.ac.uk
Open Door Open Door provides you with the opportunity to accompany residents from a local Mencap home to a nearby pub where volunteers and service users can enjoy socialising over a non-alcoholic drink. Other activities include helping residents with creative/art projects, playing board games at the home or trips to the park. Mencap residents all have some degree of mental disability and the opportunity to socialise is invaluable to them with both parties gaining new skills and friendships. The opportunities are endless, but whatever you choose to do, you will really make their day in the process!
Contact:
Jordan Whittle and Sian Wilkinson-Cox – Project Leaders j.whittle-15@student.lboro.ac.uk s.wilkinson-cox-15@student.lboro.ac.uk
RNIB College Loughborough Do you have time to make a difference? The RNIB Project requires the skills and know-how of our volunteers to assist RNIB College students who have a range of disabilities to gain access to new experiences both in their halls of residence and also in the local community. Volunteers working on this project will be assisting students with activities such as shopping, going to the gym, bowling, theatre trips, days out, arts and craft sessions and sporting activities. This volunteering role will be during the evenings and weekends and the college would welcome the input of Action volunteers for this challenging and rewarding opportunity. Safeguarding training, equality and diversity training and disability training will be provided for volunteers on this project.
Contact:
Jess Woodward – Project Leader j.l.woodward-15@student.lboro.ac.uk
Abbeyfields This scheme is ideal for chatterboxes! Volunteers visit Abbeyfields Care Home and spend time with elderly residents who would otherwise probably not have visitors on a regular basis. Befriending helps to overcome the problems of isolation suffered by the elderly in our community while also providing volunteers with the opportunity to socialise with someone else besides their peers. Action endeavours to match volunteers and residents who share similar interests, making for lively and interesting conversations for both parties!
Contact:
Jade Taylor and Sam Vesty – Project Leaders j.e.taylor-14@student.lboro.ac.uk s.h.vesty-15@student.lboro.ac.uk
Glebe House
Glebe House works with both young people and adults who have learning difficulties. The aim is to provide these individuals with enjoyable activities which offer them the chance to try their hand at something different. The clients at Glebe House wish to learn new skills to help them in the real world and are looking for volunteers willing to help. Volunteers can help teach art, drama, IT alongside a variety of other opportunities. Training is provided and the commitment is very flexible to meet the volunteer’s availability.
Contact:
Rachel Addison and Abi Selvarajah – Project Leaders r.addison-15@student.lboro.ac.uk a.selvarajah-15@student.lboro.ac.uk
Forget Me Not
Forget me not is a dementia respite café which provides carers with an opportunity to relax, chat, share experiences and support one another. Whilst the carers take a break volunteers help run activity sessions for the participants with dementia. These sessions are made up of a range of activities which are tailored as much as possible to suit the individual attendees. The cafe starts with coffee together at 11am and volunteers have the opportunity to eat lunch (which can be ordered from the café or bought with you) before starting the activities. The project runs on selected Thursdays 11am - 1:45pm.
Contact:
Kat Freeman – Project Leader k.freeman-14@student.lboro.ac.uk
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Action SpoPrrtojsects GET INVOLVED
Kids Olympics
IN ONE OF OUR STRANDS
For more information please see the Action website.
Contact:
Y DE M T&E VEOR LAUC NATD EEEM RY AC A
WE SUPPORT
loughboroughsport.com/cva
After School Sports Club This exciting opportunity allows you to volunteer with local primary school children planning and delivering multi-sport sessions. If you have an interest in teaching, love sport or simply work well with children then this is the project for you!
Contact:
Amreen Chaudhry – Project Leader a.k.chaudhry-14@student.lboro.ac.uk
Contact:
Chirali Patel – Project Leader c.a.patel-14@student.lboro.ac.uk
Sports Committee Positions Loughborough Sport Hall Coordinators Loughborough Sport Ambassadors My Lifestyle Activators & Rec Secs Social League Coordinators Spirit of Rugby Tennis Project
Please note not all of these projects contribute to the action league table.
Rory Pears – Project Leader r.pears-15@student.lboro.ac.uk
This Action project truly keeps the London 2012 Olympic flame alive! Through a series of one-off sports days held on campus, Kids Olympics is a fun and active way to remind young children of our country’s Olympic success. Volunteers are needed to help organise and host these action-packed afternoons which are enjoyed by everyone involved!
& CVOO ALCU HN
CCV VAA AC H
Action has joined forces with the Coach & Volunteer Academy to offer Loughborough students the opportunity to access unique Coaching & Volunteering opportunities, gain valuable experience and employability skills. Students who are active and give up their time will also be able to access support towards additional qualifications.
CO
C.V.A
Coaching Officiating Events Gym Activators Marketing & Communications Sports Science Support Facility Operations Volunteer Zambia
In Tandem
On your bike! Volunteers can enjoy a leisurely cycle ride around Loughborough and surrounding areas if they join In Tandem, a project which gives someone who may be blind, deaf or have physical or learning difficulties the opportunity to enjoy the delights of cycling which able-bodied riders take for granted. Volunteers are in control of the bicycle but the other rider shares the pedalling. In Tandem offers cycle rides on various weekends, taking around 4 hours including a stop for lunch and covering approx. 20 miles.
Contact:
Kim Clark – Project Leader k.c.clark-14@student.lboro.ac.uk
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as Oversep s e i t i n u t r o Op India (Summer 2017)
As a volunteer at the Russ Foundation, you’ll be living on our 17-acre campus, which is home to a Home for children without parents, Primary School, animals and farming activities. You’ll spend time with our children, at our school, and volunteering on Action projects - all whilst experiencing the incredible work of the Russ Foundation. There’s also an optional extension to visit north India at the end of the expedition to see breathtaking sights, such as the Taj Mahal. The cost of volunteering with us for 24 days is £1,450 (including airfares, group travel, accommodation, food, local guides, visa and insurance). North India extension extra.
Contact:
Maisie Packard and Anna Milewska – Project Leaders m.o.a.packard-14@student.lboro.ac.uk ActionEO@LSU.co.uk
Uganda
(Easter 2017)
As a volunteer with CALM Africa you have the opportunity to get involved in a variety of work, learn about Ugandan culture and experience real African life. Based in a shared volunteer house in a rural village near Kampala, volunteers work in a local primary boarding school run by CALM Africa and in the surrounding villages on the Community Outreach Programme. In the school, volunteers may teach a class, play sports, read with children or help in the development of the school. They can also be involved in construction work e.g. building teachers’ quarters or painting classrooms. The Community Outreach Programme involves visiting families and local groups to provide support and help improve their way of life in sustainable ways. Evenings and weekends are free time for you to explore the beautiful and interesting country of Uganda. You can visit the beach in Entebbe, go on safari, do white water rafting on the Nile, stand on the Equator and much more! Estimated fundraising cost: £1200 including flights.
Contact:
Maisie Packard and Anna Milewska – Project Leaders m.o.a.packard-14@student.lboro.ac.uk ActionEO@LSU.co.uk
Nepal
(Easter 2017)
This will be the 4th year Action volunteers have worked with the MondoChallenge Foundation, a UK charity which has been working for the past 12 years to improve the quality of education in government schools in remote villages of the Helambu region, located in the foothills of the Himalayas. This year we help several more villages affected by the earthquake. 470 schools were destroyed killing over 600 school children when the earthquake hit Nepal in April 2015. MondoChallenge Foundation delivered emergency supplies and shelter to 3000 families in 32 villages in the region and built 220 Temporary Learning Centres in 45 villages. They have also fully rebuilt seven schools, one of which Action volunteers helped complete in Easter 2016. There is a lot more to do and we are keen to help rebuild more classrooms and damaged facilities. We will need all the help we can get and volunteers support is crucial to this. The cost of the 3 week trip during the Easter break is approx £1000 including project donation, plus flights.
Contact:
Chris Nixon – Project Leader c.m.nixon-15@student.lboro.ac.uk
LSU ACTION
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as Oversep s e i t i n u t r o Op Haiti
(Easter 2017)
Come and spend a week in Haiti, volunteering at The Andrew Grene High School and exploring the country’s rich artistic heritage. Established in 2010 following the country’s devastating earthquake, The Andrew Grene Foundation delivers education and microfinance projects. Our high school provides full time education for 320 students, in a country where 80% of students drop out of high school because they cannot afford to go. This is a unique opportunity to teach art and craft at the school, enabling students to produce items to sell. The experience includes cultural activities, e.g. visits to the Museum of Art, a Rum factory and the Digicel Foundation, and ends with an overnight stay in Jacmel, home to a vibrant arts scene and great beaches.
Contact:
Maisie Packard and Anna Milewska – Project Leaders m.o.a.packard-14@student.lboro.ac.uk ActionEO@LSU.co.uk
Guatemala (Easter 2017)
Volunteer at The School of Hope in beautiful Guatemala. Guatemala, Central America, is a stunningly beautiful yet impoverished country where many families cannot afford to send their children to school. At the School of Hope, in the town of Jocotenango, 650 children and young people are getting an education plus social support, thanks to UK-based charity Education for the Children (EFTC). Student volunteers get to help in the classrooms, work in the community, prepare teaching resources and get involved with after-school activities. There are opportunities to learn Spanish, visit the ancient World Heritage town of Antigua or enjoy the surrounding lakes and mountains, but the best bit is the joyful welcome you’ll receive from our amazing children.
Contact:
Maisie Packard and Anna Milewska – Project Leaders m.o.a.packard-14@student.lboro.ac.uk ActionEO@LSU.co.uk
Mexico
(Summer 2017)
The Seaver Foundation is a UK registered charity that aims to bring children’s rights to be heard to the forefront of International Volunteering. We value a volunteers heart, time and money and therefore focus on support and development at a personal level. A volunteers primary work is to provide Summer Camps promoting therapeutic and educational activities for children living in extreme poverty, and refuge in Puerto Vallarta, on the west coast of Mexico. Children are aged 0- 16 years old; and have a variety of traumatic histories and additional needs; that benefit from additional sports; music; arts and psychological interventions during school holidays. British co-ordinators will be on site at all times and volunteers will receive essential accredited training (TEFL; music therapy and FA Football Coaching available), and a mentor to plan their activity camp with prior to travel. 4 weeks inclusive of flights, accommodation, breakfast, insurance & accredited training £1899 (Subject to change according to flights). Fundraising support offered For more information please contact Overseas Opportunities Officer
Contact:
Maisie Packard and Anna Milewska – Project Leaders m.o.a.packard-14@student.lboro.ac.uk ActionEO@LSU.co.uk
r e e t n u l Vo
n o i t i n g o c Re Action prides itself on the hard work carried out by its volunteers and rightly so, rewards the best of them. As if the satisfaction of helping others isn’t good enough, there are plenty of Union sponsored rewards available for those that go the extra mile! Through our League Table system, we can monitor how many hours you put in and reward you as you reach big milestones; 10 hours contributes to your Bronze Action Award, 25 hours is Silver, 50 hours is Gold, 100 hours is Platinum and 150 hours means you’re a Diamond volunteer! Certificates can be collected from the Action Office and look great on your CV.
Action
Awards Ceremony Every year in the summer term and with a new theme each year, the Union hosts an awards ceremony that honours the hard work of volunteers across Action. This is an occasion where we give something back to the volunteers who have dedicated so much time and effort throughout the academic year, celebrating their input and achievements and honouring their commitment. The award categories along with the 2016 winners are as follows: Best New Volunteer – Lien Nguyen Most Improved Volunteer – Kerry Chaplin Best Overall Volunteer – Andrew Long Action’s Best Team – Kids Camp Volunteers Best Off-Coming Hall Rep – Andy Barker Best On-Coming Hall Rep – Rory Pears Project Leader of the Year – Kim Clark, In Tandem Most Outstanding Contribution to the Community – Tea Dance – Special Events The Mayor of Charnwood's Student in the Community Award – Charlotte Bray Project of the Year – Action Nursery Most Improved Project of the Year – Open Door Section of the Year – Equality and Diversity Most Improved Hall – Faraday Hall of the Year – William Morris Action Staff Award - Victoria Linthwaite VP Action Award – Natasha Crawford Action Lifetime Achievement Award - George Hones Heart Award - Kathryn Freeman
Could it be YOU in 2017?
LSU ACTION
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COULD YOU BE THE NEXT
ACTION HERO?
PICK A PROJECT NIGHT THE DEFINITIVE SHOWCASE OF ALL VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES
13TH OCTOBER 7PM - 9PM ROOM 1 & PIAZZA, LSU lsu.co.uk/action
@ActionEO_LSU