Students take on social responsibility in Woodhouse
Students and staff will join forces this week to give an estate in the Woodhouse area of Leeds a makeover in a project organised by the University of Leeds and Leeds Ahead.
Student volunteers and employees from three private companies will spend a full day in the Holborn estate in Woodhouse, giving the area a facelift by painting fences, picking up litter and cutting back overgrown shrubs.
Working with Groundwork and West North West Homes, the Social Responsibility in Action project brings students, employers and the local community together to discuss social responsibility, and look at voluntary activities that can be undertaken together. Staff from Pinsent Masons, design and communications agency Logistik, and Arup will take part this year.
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Media are invited to attend the Chemic Pub, 9 Johnson Street, Woodhouse, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS6 2NG at 12 noon on Wedneday, 10 March to take pictures of the students and private partner employees taking part in activities, and talk to them about what they are doing and why.
Please confirm your attendance with Claire Macklam on 0113 395 1578.
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Aletheia Bligh Flower, volunteering officer from the University of Leeds said:
"We are delighted that so many students are engaging with the local community in such a positive way. This event is a fantastic demonstration of their commitment to the area and their desire to support and engage with local initiatives."
Councillor Richard Brett, joint leader of the council and executive member with responsibility for the 2010 Leeds Year of Volunteering said:
"Students make a huge contribution to Leeds through their volunteering, and initiatives like this are a fantastic learning experience for them as well as being of tremendous value to the local community.
"The 2010 Leeds Year of Volunteering is all about celebrating the amazing volunteering that is already happening in the city, as well as trying to get more people involved.
"Volunteering can be a one-off activity or a more long-term arrangement, so whatever time you have to spare there's sure to be an opportunity to suit."
The project kicks off with an evening for private sector partners to present their views and activities on socially responsible business practice to students, who then have the opportunity to question their methods, reasons and the impact of their work.
Ten team leaders will be trained in basic health and safety requirements, publicity methods and the skills that they will need and be developing on the day.
After the event, the students will prepare presentations about what they have learnt from the day and the skills they have developed. They will give feedback about the event and make recommendations to businesses about what they could do in the future and the impact of the work carried out.
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Additional info
For more information about volunteering opportunities please call into Volunteer Centre Leeds, 12b St Paul's Street, Leeds LS1 2LE, telephone 0113 395 0405, or visit our website www.leedsyearofvolunteering.org.uk
Organisations who have volunteering opportunities can get information on how to register via the website or by contacting Volunteer Centre Leeds.
For media enquiries, please contact;
Claire Macklam, Leeds City Council press office (0113) 395 1578
Email:
claire.macklam@leeds.gov.uk