Hallam Volunteering Publicity: 2009

Sunday 29 March 2009

Ready, Steady, Go!

Sheffield Hallam volunteers are promoting physical education in schools across Sheffield in order to keep children active.

The project “Ready Steady Go”, which involves exploring new ways to teach children physical education as part of the national curriculum, has been running for around four years. Thirteen volunteers aged between 18 – 23 years, who had to undertake a CRB check before working with children in Woolley Wood Primary School and Phillimore Community Primary School, are currently involved in the project.
Hallam volunteering provided training sessions and explored new ideas of different sports before volunteers exercised their skills in schools.

Project leader Lucy Cowgill, 20, who has been involved in the project for two years, said: “I think that this project is really useful as it helps primary teachers to become more confident in teaching an area they may not be confident in.” Activities run by the group include gymnastics, dance, games and fundamentals. “This also gives the students great experience in being able to teach PE lessons, especially if they are interested in doing this as a future career” adds Lucy.

Jacqueline Nieto, PE coordinator at Woolley Wood Primary School said: “The volunteers have been brilliant.” “I think that it has been challenging for them as the children we have suffer with profound learning difficulties.”

Monday 23 March 2009

Kanye Kanye - by Vickie Crofts

Students of all ages around the Sheffield area have been working hard all year raising money through their social enterprise business ideas to help the community of Lesotho, in Southern Africa, in their battle against HIV/AIDS and poverty.

Students from four local secondary schools across Sheffield joined together with Sheffield Hallam University and Hallam Students' Union, to make Hallam Volunteerings' new project Kanyekanye a success.

Kanykanye has come about after a joint venture between Hallam Volunteering based at Hallam Students' Union and Sheffield Hallam Universities Enterprise Centre. Between all the schools they have raised a total of £2,387 for the Malealea Development Trust. Chaucer Enterprise and Business College raised over £900 and therefore won the trip to visit the beneficiary community in Lesotho. Alongside the winning school team, two Hallam Volunteers will go on the trip. They are Lara Smith, a fourth year International Business and German student, and Andrew Mitchell, also a fourth year Business Studies and Human Resources Management.

(Picture with there trophies) I caught up with the lucky volunteers for a chat:

Right guys, firstly congratulations on winning the winning the trip to Africa, How do you feel about going to Africa?
Lara Smith (LS)- Very excited, quite shocked but really looking forward to visiting the community out there and helping out on some of their projects.
Andrew Mitchell (AM) – I’m absolutely over the moon and shocked. I can't wait to go.

What do you expect form the trip?
LS- I am hoping to learn more about the community there and where the money is going, also to learn more about HIV/AIDS and Southern Africa itself. I also think it will be a good opportunity for the school team to learn more about these things as well.
AM- I expect probably a life changing experience, I think its going open my eyes to what it's like out there from not just the tourist parts but the Malealea community and where the work is focused. It will really sum up what Kanyekanye is about and what the project aims to do.

Highlight of the Project so far?
AM: So far I would probably say working with all the other people, in the business team and one memory I will never forget is stuffing the chocolate bags at Christmas with that wood-wool. Thinking I was going have some sort of asthma attack with all that dust that we created.
LS: I really enjoyed the Kanykanye project and have leaned and developed various skills within the project. We organised various tasks, one of which was a school disco at Christmas. I really enjoyed organising this with the school team and then actually going to the school disco and working together with the girls to make as much money as possible.

What skills have you gained and how will these help you in your future careers?
LS: I have learnt a lot of skills from the project, I think that I’ve definitely improved my communication skills and in an environment working with younger pupils, but also being able to improve my team work skills and delegation skills. Having these skills are very important in looking for a job as they are the key skills involved in every aspect of life.
AM: Business development, selling, marketing, big one is working in a small team.

How do you feel about all the injections that you got to have to have?
Am: Confused! Hopefully have enough without having an overdose to stop me bringing a strange disease back!
LS: I’ve already had a couple and have got a few more coming up. They weren’t too bad but are definitely worth it to go on such an amazing trip.

Should the Project continue?
AM: Yes absolutely, definitely 100 million percent and anyone that doesn't agree should be slapped!! The Project had its highs’ and lows, but what project doesn’t and when you're on a roll you just know you're making money for a good cause, at the same time as having lots of fun.
LS: I know that this is the first year the project had been run and I defiantly think that from a volunteer's point of view that it should be carried on next year and the years to come. It has been very successful in raising awareness and teaching pupils various skills and different enterprise skills, as well as given Hallam Volunteers a chance to develop different skills.

Any think else you both like to say?
AM: Other then I’m really lucky and can’t wait to go roll on Saturday 4th April!!!

Thursday 19 March 2009

Zest - by Lucy Richards

Zest is one of Hallam Volunteering Aim Higher Projects that works in partnership with the Rotherham College of Art and Technology. Volunteers deliver health and wellbeing sessions to the residents of two Sheffcare residential homes.

Aim Higher is a government initiative scheme that encourages young people to think about the benefits and opportunities of higher education. Volunteers are involved in organizing fun and interesting wellbeing sessions. Games are regularly organized, which is a great opportunity for the residents to be brought together for a break way from their usual routine.

Interacticng is also a big part of Zest. The residents benefit from the chance to meet and spend time with younger people and to see some new faces around the home.

Zest project leader is Helen Roberts who is studying Education Studies. She has been a volunteer on Interact before deciding to become a project leader as she ‘wanted a new challenge.’ She felt it would be ‘beneficial to her organizational and leadership skills.’ I asked Helen why she thought others should volunteer, she says “it’s a great chance to meet new people and get involved in new things that you normally wouldn’t do.”

Time Travellers - by Mark Rhodes

History was never a subject I enjoyed when I was at school; I found it boring and tedious, constantly having to listen to my teacher regale the class with facts and dates from times past. However, primary school children from Sheffield are being taught history in a new fun and entertaining way, thanks to Hallam Volunteering's Time Travellers project!
Time Travellers is a Hallam Volunteering project that works with children. The project involves going into primary schools in and around Sheffield teaching the children about history, in particular the Ancient Romans and Ancient Greeks.
The project teaches the children about ancient history with the Time Travellers' timeline, and then sets the children a series of fun challenges and activities to complete in order for them to be able to accurately fill in gaps in the time line.

Richard Owen, who oversees the running of the project, says that the project helps to teach the primary school children about ancient history but in a more fun, interactive way than just sitting in a classroom listening to their teachers and reading from textbooks.

Over the next couple of months, the Time Travellers team will be visiting Lowfield Community Primary School (Friday 13th March), Tinsley Junior School (Friday 27th March) and Springfield Primary School (Wednesday 22nd April and Thursday 30th April.) So it can be seen that there is a busy few months in store for the Time Travellers team. If you have a current CRB check and want to help out by running a history themed activity at any of these events, please contact Celia on c.davis@shu.ac.uk.

Sounds in the City 09 - by Kirsty Brailsford

Once again it’s almost time for the annual Sounds in the City gig and this year promises to be one of the best ever! The team are busy preparing for the evening of music, which will be held in the HUBs on Tuesday 24^th March from 7.00pm. The event will consist of six bands: Drunken Penguins – a three-piece band from Wakefield; Living For Today – who formed in 2007, and who have three other gigs around Sheffield in March; Serpentine; Simple Delivery – who have recently changed their name to Goodnight Anita; Sleepwalker – who describe their music as rock/metal; and The Regulars.

As always, all bands have been recruited from local secondary schools or through Myspace, although, interestingly, there has been little response from female bands/bands with female members this year, so the boys will be dominating the stage!

Sounds in the City is an important event, as it provides young local musicians with the opportunity to showcase their music in front of friends and people from the local community, as well as allowing them to gain valuable on-stage experience.

The team will sell tickets for the live music event for £1 each, the proceeds of which will be re-invested in Hallam Volunteering.

The Pieces Come Together - by Vickie Crofts

Sadly as the academic year draws to a close so do all our Projects. For Jigsaw, this means picking up the pieces of their year-long activities, and preparing for their annual Fun Day."

The Fun Day this year will be held on Saturday 25th April and will be a celebration of the past year for volunteers and all those involved, as the Befriendee and their family all come together in a fun-packed activity day.

On a week by week basis, the project provides a befriending service to children aged between five and 18 who have been diagnosed with autism or Asperser’s Syndrome.

The level of support provided by the 13 Volunteers varies according to the needs of the befriendee, as joined project leader Sarah McGillivray explains: "Some children simply gain more confidence from having someone new to interact with. Others may find it's nice to have someone they can talk to and who will listen."

One of the appeals of the project for Sarah is: "Just spending time with my befriendee. She's so much fun to be with and it makes a nice break from all the stresses of third year to just go and be able to relax and have a bit of a laugh."

Extra volunteers are needed to help out at the Fun Day on Saturday 25th April, from 12-5pm. If you are interesting, and are CRB checked via Hallam Union, and have had some autism training, then please get in touch with Sarah on Sarah.L.McGillivray@student.shu.ac.uk

Interact - by Liz Sloan

Interact’s second workshop was packed with fun games and giggling when I went to visit them down at the HUBS on a chilly February evening. Interact is a project that works with young adults with Asperger's Syndrome.

Their first workshop was held earlier in January which was a buddying session where the volunteers and young adults were partnered together so they could get to know each other.

Kerry Newcombe, Interact's Project Leader, said: “The first session went really well and everybody enjoyed themselves.” The second session focused on building up confidence by playing lots of games to start and then ending with a Puppet Show which was designed to engage the participants in storytelling. There will be a third workshop in April where the young adults will create a story book that they will then perform in a small theatre production in the final workshop at the end of April.

One of the games that was played in the opening session was Shapes. This included both young adults and volunteers working together to form various shapes. There were some very interesting ideas for example London Bridge and some original collaborations for creating a Toblerone.

One of the things that made me realise the great work that the volunteers of Interact are doing was when one of the participants decided to allow us to photograph her during the workshop although she rarely allows anyone to photograph her. Kerry said “I feel so happy when I see the participants’ progress with their communication and social skills. They really seem to be comfortable working with us.”

The group are looking forward to the next workshops where participants will develop a performance piece together. To celebrate Interact's last workshop of 2009, volunteers will take the participants out for a meal with money fundraised by the team.

Hallam Challenges - by K. Gilbert & S. Woolley

Making a real difference in Sheffield has never been easier! Hallam Challenges is a project that plans one-day events where both students and staff can get involved to help out in the local community.
One of the latest successes for Hallam Challenges was the Christmas Decorations Creation Day which was held on Level 2 of the Owen Building, City Campus.
Over 50 students dropped by to lend a hand and make a decoration for the elderly. Later the decorations were taken out to residential homes around Sheffield where even the residents helped make some more, whilst enjoying a few mince pies after decorating the rooms.
Project leader Ellie Lane was very pleased with the high level of enthusiasm and commitment from her team and is aiming to bring even more people together for a positive impact at their next event.
The next Hallam Challenge is going to be on Saturday 28th March, 11am till 1pm at Creswick Children's Centre. The team need volunteers to come and help plant primroses as the centre are having a total refurbishment and changing their name to Primrose Children's Centre. If you would like to come and help please email hallamchallenges@hotmail.co.uk and let us know you are coming!
If you'd like to know more on Hallam Challenges or for information on how to get involved, drop by the Hubs and speak to Emily Burns onE.burns@shu.ac.uk. Also Ellie would like to give a shout out and personal thank you to Emily, who has been her rock!

Football Unites! - by Mark Copping

Bobby Charlton, David Beckham, Alan Shearer: all great ambassadors of the beautiful game. Now added to that list is the work of the 'Football Unites' team. The work of the project is implied in the title - meeting up with refugees and asylum seekers in the Sheffield area and using football to unite their different communities. Students and refugees work together in promoting communication, support and an understanding and at the end of it all, friendly rivalries are made in the big football tournament happening on the 25th April, where both students and refugees play in mixed teams for the trophy. Project leader Lee Dunne describes it as a place 'to have a good chat, and make some new friends' and of course, its all for a worthy cause, that’s 1-0 to Hallam Volunteering!

Fit Club - by Mark Rhodes

Every Wednesday afternoon, several members from the Fit Club project go to the Guildford Grange Residential Home to work with the elderly residents and give them a weekly activity and exercise session that aims to help increase fitness and mobility.
The activities vary each week, and range from walks around beauty spots within Sheffield to playing fun games such as bowling & skittles. Rosie Wynne and Kim Horspool, joint project leaders of Fit Club, say that the project helps to: "Increase fitness, mobility and flexibility of the residents by running interactive, fun sessions for the residents." A favourite activity amongst the elderly residents is using a parachute; this was a personal favourite of mine when doing PE at Primary school, so I wasn't at all surprised to learn that the residents of Guildford Grange Residential home enjoy it too.
The project leaders also added that the Fit Club project gives students that are studying physiotherapy a fantastic opportunity to gain experience, as well as have fun interacting with the residents.

Some of the activities lined up for the residents in the coming weeks include parachute games and taking the residents for a walk around the picturesque Botanical Gardens, which I am sure they will enjoy.

Educ8 - by Liz Sloan

Educ8 is a one of Hallam Volunteering's five new projects this year. The project focuses on empowering children to make informed decisions by giving them the opportunity to learn about substances such as tobacco, alcohol and solvents in a safe environment.

Stefanie Chadburn, Educ8’s Project Leader said “I firmly believe that Educ8 is a great project which tackles a subject area which needs to be addressed in schools and I know my excellent team of volunteers are going to tackle it brilliantly”.

Educ8 has partnered with SHED, which is a local organisation offering support to young people in Sheffield in relation to substance misuse. SHED has provided an eight week training programme to six of the student volunteers to give them the confidence in delivering advice to school children in year six.

Altogether there are five one hour sessions that began on the 26th February and will run up until March. The sessions are flexible and fun, incorporating games and quizzes to encourage the children to learn. One of the activities that will take place towards the end of the project will be “the big drugs quiz.”

This will test the children to see what they have learnt over 5 weeks. All of the activities are kept simple and enjoyable but require skilful handling by the volunteers as the topic of drugs can be a difficult and complex one to explore and talk about.

The children are offered helpful information and guidance in an area that is sometimes ignored in today’s society and with children becoming more exposed to the danger of drugs and alcohol it makes a great difference when projects such as EDUC8 are there to make sure they have the correct information . As Stefanie says “They then have the confidence in themselves to say no and make informed decisions based around fact and not fiction.”

Smiling like a Cheshire Cat – by Rik Measures

On their return from the winter holidays, the volunteers of the Cheshire Cats project hit the ground running with a string of fun-filled sessions held for the residents of Leonard Cheshire Homes in Totley.

The Hallam Volunteers, led by project leaders Gemma Fisher and Sophie Green, cram their weekly visits with creative art and craft activities which engage and entertain the residents.

The activities range from making colourful band instruments out of cereal boxes, to cookery, and offer the residents a great opportunity to vary their daily routine which, due to their circumstances, is often restricted.

The residents, all of whom are adults with varying degrees of learning and physical disabilities, draw a huge amount of pleasure from the visiting volunteers and the activities they bring with them – this much is obvious from all their smiles and laughter throughout the sessions. The interaction between the residents and the volunteers is a great one to see. It’s clear they enjoy one another’s company, and it’s even clearer that all the hard work the volunteers put into fundraising and organising the project, not to mention actually running the sessions, is extremely beneficial to the residents.

“Putting a smile on someone else’s face is brilliant,” says Gemma “When we go to the home we feel happy knowing that we’re giving something back. Being a member of Cheshire Cats is an excellent experience and a valuable insight into the lives of those who suffer from disabilities.”

The care home is part of a wider network called Leonard Cheshire Disability whose larger purpose is to change attitudes towards disability, as well as to provide services in support of disabled people. The contribution Cheshire Cats is making to achieve this goal is not only impressive, but is also a great example of what Hallam Volunteering is capable of.

Keep up the great work everyone!

Tuesday 3 March 2009

Commitee Elections 2009/2010

The Hallam Volunteering Standing Committee Elections for 2009-2010 are fast approaching and now is the time to think about running. Being a part of the Hallam Volunteering Committee is a great opportunity to influence Hallam Volunteering as a department and to represent volunteers. You will develop new skills and improve your career prospects.
For more information or to nominate yourself, download the nomination form and the Committee information pack from blackboard (select "elections" from the button down on the left side of the page) or our website (http://hallamunion.org/volunteering/committee-elections/).

Positions available are:
Publicity Officer
Fundraising Officer
Events & Technical Officer
Communications & Socials Officer
Equal Opportunities Officer
Showcase Officer
1 Working with Children Project Representative
1 Working with Young People Project Representative
1 Working with Adults Project Representative

Feel Free to ask any current Officer or Rep about the role, all will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Nominations are open from 9am on Tuesday 3rd March until midnight on Wednesday 11th March. Any volunteer can nominate themself.

Look out for voting from 13th-22nd March!

Wednesday 18 February 2009

Equal Opportunities

By Jonathon Blott

Equal Opportunities is a fantastic team within Hallam Volunteering whose main goal is to make sure that everyone is represented in the University’s voluntary schemes in some way.
They organised a tea party to raise awareness of Hallam Volunteering and give everyone a chance to take part in what Hallam Volunteering has to offer. The party provided students with a second chance for people to get involved, particularly those who may not yet have heard of all of Hallam Volunteering. The main groups of people targeted for recruitment at the event were mature students, international students, and students with disabilities. These particular groups of students are currently considered under-represented within Hallam Volunteering.

The Equal Opportunities team hopes to open up new doors to volunteering, which not only helps the community but also drastically enhances your CV, strengthening your chances of that all-important keyword, ‘employability’. Underrepresented groups like mature students are quite often considered a great asset to voluntary programs for their own personal experience that they bring to the group.
Hallam Volunteering’s Equal Opportunities Officer Ria Stevens said “More publicity is needed for the projects to spark a keen interest in volunteering. But with student support now an active part of the team, that is exactly what we hope to achieve.”

There was a friendly turn-out of eager students, and more importantly students that Hallam Volunteering were looking for. All in all, the party was a success, with a plenty of new students signing up for projects, particularly from target groups. If you missed the party or would just like more information on the projects, Equal Opportunities are holding another event on February 26th 4-5.30pm upstairs in the HUBS, and you can contact Hallam Volunteering on 2255005, hallamvolunteering@shu.ac.uk or visit the website, http://hallamunion.org/volunteering.

Saturday 31 January 2009

Hallam Volunteering Committee 08/09

With the newly elected committee members we thought it may be nice to get to know the committee thought a quick snapshot of questions and find out what there like. They are all lovely really, but heres a few snippets about them that you may not have known!

Leon Snell Fundraising Officer

Course: Physical Education and Youth Sport - Year 3
Most likely to say? Can you make me some eggs Benedict please?
Nickname: Snellson Mandela
Favorite film and why? The Sound of Music - because it's a feel good film with lots of singing and reminds me of my childhood
If you have dinner with anyone who would it be and what would you ask them? Nelson Mandela Why did you steal my name? (oh, and lots of other important stuff about the anti-apartheid movement, imprisonment, and the like. And was it all worth it to
meet the Spice Girls?)

Linzi Anderson Events and Tech Officer and (Vice Chair)

Course and year: 2nd Year Events Management
Most likely to say: Boohiss!
Preferred Nickname: Linz is the closest i have to a nickname!
Favourite Film and why: Ratatouille! It's awesome
If you could have dinner with one person (from any point in time) who would it be: my Dad
What would you ask them: How they are and if they're proud of me

Ria Stevens Equal Opps/ Secretary
Course: Law 3rd Year
Most likely to say: Oh man!
Nickname: Rodders (decided to keep it clean lol)
Favourite film and why: Twilight, because it is a classic love story with a twist, and has a gorgeous lead actor.
If you could have dinner with anyone who would it be and what would you say: Take That, I would ask them to serenade me.

Vickie Crofts Publicity officer.

Course and year: Ba Hons Journalism Studies- year 3
Role on committee: Publicity officer
Most likely to say: any who
Preferred Nickname: 'Vixz’
Favourite Film and why: Cool Runnings
If you could have dinner with one person (from any point in time) who would it be: My Dad
What would you ask them: His he ok and his he proud?

Megan Lamb- Hallam Volunteering exectuite

Course and year: Physical Education and Youth Sport Yr 3

Most likely to say: amazing
Preferred Nickname: never really had one !!
Favourite Film and why: ouch this is a tough one - save the last dance maybe, lion king is definatly up there though!
If you could have dinner with one person (from any point in time) who would it be: Sue Campbell
What would you ask them: everything about PE and Sport in schools, my dissertation, what inspired her? about the work she does with the youth sport trust, sooo many questions!

Liz Credgington Socials & Communication Officer

1st year Events Management
Most likely to say: thats brilliant thank you!
Preferred Nickname, Liz or Lizbeth
Favourite Films are Babe... because I love pigs and Dirty Dancing because its
just a great girlie film.
If I could have dinner with one person it would be: Will Smith

Project Reps:

Katie Adams Working with Children project representative

Course and year: BA (HONS) English Studies 3rd year
Most likely to say: "I bet that it might be." (I like those odds!)

Preferred Nickname: Kate

Favourite Film and why: My favourite film is Mamma Mia because it's happy,sunny, funny and I saw the West End show last spring when I was on holiday inLondon ... reminds me of fun times!!

If you could have dinner with one person (from any point in time) who would it be: William Shakespeare

What would you ask them: Can you help me with my dissertation?

Harriet Swain. Working With Children Rep

Course and year: Physical education and youth sport
Preferred Nickname: 'Haz'
Favourite Film and why: Pearl Harbour- josh harnett, need i say anymore
If you could have dinner with one person (from any point in time) who would It be: Nelson Mandela,

What would you ask them: How his he still so cool, and can i have a hug

Andy Mitchell Chair & Working with adults rep

Course and year: Business Studies and HRM, 4th Year
Most likely to say: "Jager time? Sambuca time?"
Preferred Nickname: MITCHELL!
Favourite Film and why: Mrs Doubtfire is hilarious, wall-e is my mate, and the green mile is amazing!
If you could have dinner with one person (from any point in time) who would it be: Michael Parkinson coz he's had dinner with EVERYONE!
What would you ask them: "What was *insert famous person here* like?" multiple times.

Any Problems, plese get in touch with one of them.

Wednesday 28 January 2009

Hallam Volunteering Wins Away at Old Trafford by Rik Measures

On 2nd December an entourage of students and staff arrived at Manchester United’s Old Trafford football ground to represent Hallam Volunteering at the 2008 Higher Education Volunteering Awards.
Out of the 750 nominations given to various volunteering projects from all around the nation, our guys were there at the final stage armed with an impressive 4 nominations. Little did they know that out of the 18 envelopes containing the names of the 18 winners, 3 had our university’s name on.
The project Season It picked up the Team Award, Press Gang won the Outstanding Project Award and Hallam Volunteering itself was honoured with the Volunteering Team of the Year Award. Carly Hynes, who was up for the Student Individual Award, was the fourth of Hallam’s nominees. Despite her not landing the award she has done her university proud—simply being nominated in recognition of her contribution to volunteering and successfully reaching the final stages of the award ceremony against such fierce competition is a remarkable and inspiring achievement.

Sheffield Hallam University was only one of two universities to win multiple awards. To have Hallam Volunteering’s efforts and commitment recognised on such a scale is a great representation of what our university, students and staff can bring to the table.
Emily Burns, a Volunteering Graduate Trainee who attended the awards ceremony, said “The HEVAs day really opened my eyes to the brilliant work not only Hallam Volunteering carry out, but also many universities across the country. Every university has their unique and inspiring way of helping others and that’s a brilliant thing to see.”

Monday 26 January 2009

West Street Wobble by Mark Copping

Can you imagine what it must have been like for the local people of Sheffield, who were out enjoying a cosy drink on West Street, only to be confronted with the masses of Hallam Volunteering all in groups of matching themed fancy dress and all tied together at the ankles, trying to coordinate by saying “On the count of one, we'll take a step with this leg and on two, we'll take a step with this the other”?

The answer to this question doesn't really matter, but it is tradition or the law that the members of Hallam Volunteering must participate in the West Street Wobble in order to raise funds for their prospective project. I'd personally like to say “sit down” to whoever said that the three- legged race on school sports day was pointless, because it's the skills learned in that particular event that make the West Street Wobble such a unique thing.

And who could forget some of the inspired fancy dress that is seen on that night (if you have forgot then you had a very good night): crayons, children's TV characters, those people you stare at and think 'What the hell are they supposed to be?' and everyone that I actually have forgotten about (I apologize). As if the West Street Wobble wasn't already childish enough for you, there also were some fun little games to play with cameras, such as taking pictures of locals in an Egyptian poses, taking pictures of the other groups, taking pictures of people hiding and awards were given out in recognition of the great pieces of 'photography', no 'artwork', which were taken on that night.

It just leaves me to say (although I mentioned it earlier) that the sponsor money raised goes towards the funding of the projects, and a reminder if you haven't done so, is to hand your sponsor money in to your project leader.

“Twas Quite A Few Nights before Christmas” By Kemar

'Twas quite a few nights before Christmas, when all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care; in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds, while the 100 + Hallam volunteers were down at Bar Phoenix getting a bit off their heads. If you don’t know what I’m talking about then you missed out on quite a good night and for those of you that could make it then you know I’m talking about the Volunteers' Christmas Party that took place on Monday 15th of December.

Free Pounded tickets were on offer for the first 100 volunteers to turn up. This as well as the chance to take part in some general holiday festivities resulted in a very high turnout at the event. There was a great selection of games, a raffle and a buffet. On top of all that the West Street Wobble prizes were also handed out so it was definitely a night of receiving for a lucky few.

The first ever issue of the new “Volunteer Life” magazine was also launched on the night. Vickie Crofts, Publicity Officer and editor of Volunteer Life, had the night off so Rik Measures, a member of the Publicity Team had to stand in. Based on the fact that people were requesting copies directly after his speech, I can report he did a great job! The party ended on a high note and those who weren’t fully satisfied went on to Pounded directly after to carry on partying and get more than their fill!

Saturday 24 January 2009

Children Xmas party

by Shonagh Dimmick

On Monday 15th December the HUBS played host to this year's children’s Christmas party provided by the Hallam Volunteering team.
Our volunteers had an early morning start; setting up decorations from 11am to make sure everything was ready for the arrival of the children at 4pm! They put a tremendous amount of hard work into the event after not only spending hours setting up, they then had to entertain the children for a further 3 hours.
In total, 120 children from both High Green Primary School and Fox Hill Primary School attended the event. They had an exciting evening playing giant Jenga, Connect 4, snakes and ladders, parachuting games and many, many more. The volunteers also managed to fit in a bouncy castle and a ball pit in the HUBS, all for the enjoyment of the children.
Children aged from 3-7 years were invited to the party to join in on the festive spirit within the Students' Union. No one went home empty handed either, as Father Christmas was on hand in his very own grotto with presents for everyone. Along with this, the volunteers provided an amazing spread of snacks for the children to also get their hands (and mouths) into.
Emma, the project leader, was really pleased with how well the day went as they only had 8 weeks to prepare for the event! She also said how proud she was of her team for working together and creating a great day.
Tyler, from High Green Primary School, said “My favourite part of the day was making Christmas crackers.” Which he later protested that he would be keeping for himself!
Money for the event was raised through the one and only West Street Wobble and the selling of glow sticks at the infamous Pounded. So thank you to everyone who supported the Hallam Volunteers as it was a huge success.