The first University of Portsmouth students to successfully complete the Community Volunteering Qualification received their awards last night.
The qualification recognises those students who undertake volunteering in parallel with their studies and rewards them with an external qualification for their efforts. Opportunities for volunteering include working within local charities, sporting groups, clubs and societies and students gain experience in areas such as marketing, web design, finance, IT and many more useful fields.
The Vice-Chancellor chats to volunteers and staff
The qualification has formal modules which encourage students to reflect on their experience, whilst the Project Management and Team Working modules allow them to build up their knowledge about what they have learned and gained from the process and the experience.
Volunteer & Graduate Recruitment Officer, Alice Hickman, said that volunteering is a way to engage students in a wide variety of activities which build their confidence and improve their CVs and therefore their employability.
She said: “Volunteering allows students to build valuable skills and increase their confidence. They learn how to work with real people in business, to develop their knowledge and to grow as people.”
The University has partnered with charitable social enterprise ASDAN, an awarding body who formally issue the qualification, and with the Students’ Union.
Perry Taylor, the Student Union’s VP for Welfare and Community, said: “It was great to see so many students being recognised and rewarded for their time and commitment to volunteering, which has a significant impact on the wider community. The Union is proud of these students and is committed to widening participation in the ASDAN programme this year.”
Students received their certificates yesterday evening from the Vice-Chancellor, Professor John Craven, at an event to celebrate their success.
Sarwar Hussain
October 3, 2012
Hello, What do i have to do to join the Students officially recognised for volunteering work? If there is any sort of form or online application can you kindly send it to my email. Thank you
Alice Hickman
October 4, 2012
Hi Sarwar,
We have a workshop about it tomorrow, where you can find out all about it. It is based at Purple Door, from 1-2pm. If you cannot make this, please email accreditation@port.ac.uk and one of the team will get back to you directly.
Thanks for your interest
Alice
Ricky Garbett
October 8, 2012
I would like to find out more about getting the volunteering qualification I would like to volunteer to work with the progression of blind dogs from puppies to fully trained assets in the community can you let me know how I do this and can you send me info via email please
Alice Hickman
October 11, 2012
Dear Ricky,
I think we have now spoken about this and you have got the information that you require.
Is this correct? If not, please email purpledoor.recruitment@port.ac.uk explaining what information you still require and we will come straight back to you.
Thank you for your interest,
Alice