Last year, over 1600 UCL students participated in volunteering through the VSU. You can find out about some of them here. You can also read about some of the projects our students have set up on our pages.
Sheikh Momin
Sheikh Momin is currently in his first year of a Medicine degree at UCL. This year, he has volunteered with the UCLU Bangla Society’s Mentoring Scheme. “The scope of opportunities available in volunteering is incredible, and these projects offer a unique way to bring you into contact with different people from all backgrounds, and it is truly incredible to see their perspectives on life in comparison to yours, as well as extremely rewarding to know that your effort has made a difference.”
Anqi Huang
Anqi Huang is a second year Mathematics student who volunteers at the UCL Special Collections and took part in the ‘Chinese New Year’ event held by the British Chinese Project in February 2013.
“Volunteering is a great way to learn new skills. It gives me a chance to discover what kinds of things I’m best at and enjoy the most. Also, it provides me with a sense of responsibility and helps me develop a new understanding of people who are different from me. Donating time is a great way to feel like I have the power to change things for the better.”
Billy Mayor
Billy is a MRes Crime and Security Science student. Last year, he set up and ran the RaspberryPython project.
“I think there’s a great feeling that comes from doing any kind of volunteering; to be able to say that you gave up your time for others. The best feeling for me, however, is knowing that there are now some people out there that have gained knowledge and skills that they otherwise might not ever have had the opportunity to gain.”
Krishna Vadakattu
Krishna Vadakattu is a 2nd Year Mechanical Engineering student volunteering for West Euston Partnership Ability Bikes in Regents Park on Saturdays.
“By participating in the programme I feel more relaxed, productive and capable of managing my time. I have gained valuable communication skills and would recommend the scheme to anyone, because you enjoy the experience even more than the parents and children you are helping.”
Janice Lee
Janice Lee is a third year Medic who has volunteered for the past three years for 2-3 hours a week supporting a client at the Third Age Project in Camden.
“The best thing about volunteering is meeting and getting to know people from all walks of life. Living in this busy, bustling city of London means that we are constantly rushing around from one place to another that we hardly ever strike up conversations with people around us that we do not know.”
Uzoma Iheanyichukwu Onyekachi
Uzoma is studying for an MSc in Systems Engineering Management, and took part in the VSU’s Halls of Residence Volunteering Initiative, teaching IT skills to people experiencing homelessness.
“The best thing about volunteering is the joy we put on the faces of people when we get them see the amazing things they can do which they never thought they could do.”
Irina Mnohoghitnei
Irina graduated with a Computer Science degree in summer 2012. She is now studying for an MSc in Financial Systems Engineering. Irina organised the 2011 international trip for the UCLU Volunteering Society and volunteered for St. George’s Church in Bloomsbury.
“Being a volunteer provided me with much satisfaction, because I had the chance to spend my time helping other people and genuinely making a difference in other people’s lives. At first, I used to be a lot less efficient with managing my time, but volunteering helped me learn to prioritise my time and get a lot more done.”
Weiling Ng
Weiling Ng is a third year Law student. She’s volunteered for LOCOG ahead of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, participated in the VSU student-led project Citizenship & Crime, helped a client at Action Disability Kensington & Chelsea go Christmas shopping and co-led the VSU student-led project Teddy Bear Clinic.
“I think volunteering has helped me to take a less myopic view of things, to see the beauty in others and not to compare myself with others. The optimism of others who are less fortunate than me reminds me to be humble, happy, contented and appreciative of my loved ones.”
Vanessa Thompset
Vanessa is a second year English Literature student here at UCL. Vanessa volunteers weekly at the Ragged School Museum as an Education Assistant.
“I would definitely recommend volunteering at the Ragged School Museum. It’s amazing to feel that you’ve potentially inspired a class of children to take more of an interest in the Victorian era and to work in a smaller, very friendly museum; every session is a huge amount of fun and, in addition, takes my mind off my course for a few hours a week!”
Rakshina Narula
Rakshina Narula studies Environmental Geoscience. In 2012, she was co-leader of ‘Junk In The Trunk’, a recyling programme for UCL Halls of Residence.
“For me, it was the perfect volunteer project to help the environment and give to charity.”