University College Plymouth St Mark & St John

Skip to main content

If you haven't been convinced so far with regards to getting involved with volunteering opportunities, I hope that the following case studies can change your mind!

There are so many varied organisations in Plymouth that are looking for enthusiastic people to come on board and get involved with exciting new projects and UCP Marjon can put you in touch with the right people. Remember volunteering shows employers you have commitment, so by contributing some of your time to a voluntary project will make you stand out in a crown when it comes to applying for a real job!
Last modified on Mon, 22 Nov 2010 14:22:49 GMT by fhatherley

THOUSANDS lined the city's streets to embrace the colour and music of the Plymouth Respect festival.

The event celebrating Plymouth's multicultural society with a fusion of music, performance, arts and information, took place throughout the city. Student volunteers from UCP Marjon helped celebrate a city rich in diversity. People flocked as a colourful samba parade through the City Centre on Saturday provided irresistible rhythms and beats, and on Sunday UCP Marjon Student helped to steward the colourful Children's Parade.

Through one of the city's art organisation Barefoot, students at UCP Marjon were able to get involved in the Samba and Children's Parade and become an active part of the celebrations. Richard Marsh, Director of Barefoot said "I would like to thank the continuing support that UCP Marjon students give to the respect Fesitval every year, we couldn't do it without them!"

 

Last modified on Mon, 22 Nov 2010 14:22:11 GMT by fhatherley

As part of the Plymouth's Big Arts Festival, 40 Malaysian Students from UCP Marjon worked alongside 30 local Plymouth schools to ensure that the Big Arts Day went off smoothly at Plymouth Pavilions. The day was organised through Barefoot, whose aim is to strengthen the relationship between the arts and education and to enhance the quality of arts education in Plymouth. It provides a programme of arts education information, advocacy, networking, advice, and training and professional development opportunities for artists, arts organisations, teachers and governors.  

The Malaysian students are studding at UPC Marjon to become teachers and the festival allowed them to gain first hand experience of how to organise large numbers of children, with costumes and props to enable them to perform to schedule on the main stage affront of the festival audience. The day was a huge success and the students thrived on the opportunity to be part of the Big Arts Day.

Last modified on Mon, 22 Nov 2010 11:48:23 GMT by fhatherley UCP Marjon Student Karen Turvey won a national award, the Matt Spencer Award for being an Outstanding Student Volunteer. Karen’s passion for volunteering has enabled her to stage many city-wide events, including community sports days, tea dances for elderly residents and a campaign to encourage people to swap plastic carrier bags for more environmentally-friendly alternatives.

The award, set up by the parents of late student volunteer Matt Spencer and Student Volunteering England. The award consists of an inscribed tankard, a cheque for £100 and a bottle of champagne.

Karen said “It was a complete surprise to receive the award, I was unaware I had even been nominated.  Volunteering for me is being able to make a positive difference and enabling others to do it too, so the Matt Spencer award is particularly special to me because of what it represents.”

Debbie McAllister, UCP's Student Volunteering and Employability Coordinator, said: "Our institution has benefited tremendously from the work Karen is doing. Her constant enthusiasm and passion for the local community is infectious and we fully support all she does."

Last modified on Wed, 17 Jun 2009 16:13:21 BST by fhatherley