University Students’ Volunteer Work in the Community Recognised
Almost 200 University of Reading community-spirited students volunteer in local schools.
Every year these generous helpers maintain the University's longstanding and proud tradition of supporting the local community – and this year 44 local schools and numerous school children benefited from their help.
Professor Gordon Marshall, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Reading, will present certificates on Wednesday June 17 to the students who participated in the Community Service Volunteers (CSV) 'Learning Together' scheme and completed at least 10 periods of tutoring in the last year.
Last year, special prizes were awarded to Orlando Chin and Gemma Harris. Orlando is a first year student studying Maths. Margaret Sampson, Director of Learning Support at St Crispin's School said: “Orlando was dedicated, reliable and extremely conscientious, making his own resources to meet the needs of a year seven girl whom he supported using his native Portuguese language. She became far more confident during his visits, making excellent progress in English. His communication skills with both staff and pupils were very good - we will all miss him”
Gemma Harris, who is studying for an MA in Victorian Literature and Culture visited The Holt School, Wokingham, to assist with English lessons. She made 12 visits and her teacher Mrs Gemma Bradford commented: "Gemma quickly established excellent relationships with some very challenging students. She was focused, friendly and strategic - always competent and professional.”
Twelve students were e-mentors, offering support to pupils on a weekly basis via email.
Julia Hodgson, CSV Co-ordinator, said: "Many thanks to everyone who participated in this year’s scheme. The students involved are a credit to themselves and the University. The fact that there was an increase in schools taking part too, shows the importance and ever-growing positive reputation of the scheme which is a fantastic platform for our students to be of real benefit to the community.
"More than 20 per cent of volunteer tutors were from abroad coming from 23 different countries. Native speakers of French, German and Spanish, often in Britain for only a term or two as visiting students, made much valued contributions in secondary schools with conversation classes.
"The University was delighted to find volunteers to travel to schools to give one-to-one support to students who had recently joined the English education system. These volunteers needed to be native speakers of Polish, Portugeuse, Arabic, Bulgarian and Mandarin and Spanish. Their personal effort to reach the schools by public transport was considerable and greatly appreciated."