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College News
17 March 2004
Royal Holloway students give London refugee centre a makeover for charity
Students from Royal Holloway, University of London had their paintbrushes at the ready when they got stuck into re-decorating a Brixton refugee centre, as part of National Student Volunteering Week.
The event was one of many run as part of Community Action, Royal Holloway's student volunteering programme. Six Royal Holloway students took part in the DIY venture, alongside students from other UK universities, in what was a successful and productive day.
"It's definitely brightened the place up and workers at the centre are really pleased with the results," said Student Volunteer Co-ordinator Matthias Rosenberg, who helped to organise the event.
The day centre offers a range
of support to refugees, including food, emergency provisions and advice
on where to get legal and medical help. It is one of the many services
run by the Refugee Council, the largest charitable refugee organisation
in
the UK.
Currently over 140 students take part in Royal Holloway's Community Action programme, which encompasses over 40 collaborative projects with local community organisations. Included within this are additional refugee-focused projects, ranging from providing English tuition to refugees, to helping young asylum seekers integrate into the community. In turn, students gain accreditation for their work, and valuable skills.
For more information on the
Refugee Council visit www.refugeecouncil.org.uk
To find out more about volunteering work at Royal Holloway see the Community
Action programme web page at www.rhul.ac.uk/services/volunteering/
ENDS
For further information contact
Royal Holloway, University of London, Press Office:
Christine Long, Press & PR Officer, 01784 443967, christine.long@rhul.ac.uk
Vicky Cousins, Assistant Press & Comms Officer, 01784 414480, victoria.cousins@rhul.co.uk
EDITOR'S NOTES
The Higher Education Active Community Fund (HEACF), initiated by HEFCE in 2002, aims to encourage working partnerships between Higher Education and not-for-profit organisations.
Royal Holloway appointed a HEACF Volunteer Co-ordinator, Matt Rosenberg in December 2002 to work closely with the Students' Union to develop, promote and manage volunteering activities. To date, the volunteering programme encompasses over 40 collaborative projects with local volunteer-involving community organisations covering a wide range of areas, with a focus on creating relationships which are sustainable in the long-term.
Ongoing volunteering projects at Royal Holloway include: working with refugees; helping the visually impaired; befriending people with learning difficulties; mentoring and tutoring at local schools; conservation work; cooking for people living with HIV/AIDS; helping the disabled to get involved with sport. Students gain a Community Action accreditation after 40 hours of voluntary work, and a certificate for one-off volunteering events.
