Osborne to take part in Student Volunteering Week

As part of Student Volunteering Week (SVW) 2016, which runs nationwide from 22th -28th February, students from the University of Southampton are leading several projects and events to support the local community.

The University of Southampton is one of over 100 colleges and universities taking part in SVW, which will bring together over 10,000 students at events across the UK.

On Thursday 25th February, student volunteers and the local community working in partnership with Osborne, the Friends of Portswood Recreation Ground and Southampton Hub will be volunteering together to clear up the recreation grounds by gardening, painting the benches and clearing the playground area.
SVW will highlight how student social action helps tackle key social issues, such as educational disadvantage and elderly isolation in Southampton. The week features activities such as Dementia Friends training to inform and encourage awareness of dementia, litter picking in Portswood High Street and an inspiration days at St  Denys Primary School.

With current pressures on local services and fears around stagnating social mobility, volunteers have a significant role to play in supporting community members in need. Local community projects such as the Friends of Portswood Recreation Ground are vital in continuing the upkeep of Southampton’s public grounds and are able to demonstrate the achievements of Southampton citizens when they work together. The contributions of partners such as Osborne are becoming more and more valuable, supporting the development of communities and the continuation of their projects.

SVW highlights that as well as providing vital help to the community, volunteering gives students the opportunity to develop key life skills, such as leadership and resilience, valuable for their professional and personal growth.