Thank you, University of Chester!

Many people are unaware that hundreds of students and staff at the University work as volunteers, free of charge, within our local community.  Students work in local schools providing classroom support and helping with after-school activities, they help with youth groups, the Garden Quarter Recycling Project, Theatre in the Quarter, Samaritans, Childline and the Citizens Advice Bureau.  They take part in one-off events too such as the Annual Sleep Out for Chester Aid to the Homeless, Chester Literature Festival, the Rotary Club's Special Olympics, the building of a sensory garden at Dee Banks Special School and many others too numerous to mention. 

Cllr Sandra Rudd, a member of the University Council, said: "Over the last five years students at Chester University have carried out over 65,500 hours of voluntary work and, given that the minimum hourly wage for an 18-21yr old is £4.45,  this works out at £291,475 worth of positive impact on our local community." 

The students' commitment has been recognised with regional and national volunteering awards and Sandra added: "We are immensely grateful for the students' voluntary work here  in College Ward, and particularly welcome this strengthening of relationships between the University and the local community."

Further reading: Wikipedia on the University of Chester | University of Chester homepage

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