Learning Outside Formal Education Research - Volunteer wanted

Professor Jocey Quinn is leading a project on Learning Outside Formal Education and we’re seeking two kinds of research participants:

1.    Those who are involved at volunteering / community level for an individual interview for around an hour on the kinds of things they do and why; what they believe the effect of these activities is on their lives and future

2.    Focus groups lasting around an hour of around 10 students (any degree, any year group) on the types of activity they may  be involved in while they are students (e.g. volunteering, community work, activism, outdoor activities, paid work) and the contributions they feel that these make / do not make to their studies

All participants will receive a £5 amazon voucher in recognition of their time, and any focus groups / interviews before the end of term would be really welcome! Please email R.Passy@plymouth.ac.uk for more details and to sign up.

Students and Staff involved in Campus Grow Your own Food Project

Students and Staff  involved in Campus Grow Your own Food Project

As part of the Student Partnership a new gardening group has been formed at the university which involves students, staff and the wider community. The project is currently under the name of Plymouth Incredible Edibles and the idea is to include within the campus as many  edible plants as possible  so that they may be enjoyed by all. The plants will be slotting into beds that have either become disused or are in need of a bit of TLC.  Students and staff will in time be able to ‘adopt’ a bed and so ensure it is maintained and enjoyed.   The plan is to provide an opportunity to garden together for the pleasure of meeting outside on a social basis and to use perennials to demonstrate their worth as a means of sustainable food production in small spaces.

It is still only in the early stages, some plants have been ordered and more are being grown on site in the Physic Garden.  The Physic Garden was planted up two years ago and the collection of herbs is becoming established. We are using the spaces in amongst the herbs to grow more produce.

At present the group meet on a Tuesday lunch time between 12.30pm and 1.30pm in the Physic Garden, ANYONE WISHING TO ATTEND CAN JUST TURN UP BETWEEN THESE TIMES.  The garden has also been nicknamed the Secret Garden due to its hidden position despite its fairly central  location.  It is to be found  behind Portland Villas. The entrance is through blue door in the wall which is located in the paved lane running off St James Street, next to the car park and  opposite Rolle Building!

At present the group in concentrating on work in the Physic Garden, clearing weeds  and adding to the stock for  the beds around campus, by sowing and planting in this delightful location.

The  official launch on June 12^th where the garden will be open from 10am-5pm for people to pop in when they wish  to  explore the garden  and learn a bit more about the project.   Teas , scones and strawberries will be on offer.  We are also open to suggestions for an official name for the project. If you feel inspired  by any of this please do not hesitate to come along to either the weekly sessions or the launch.

Many thanks

Caroline Mikhail

caroline.mikhail@students.plymouth.ac.uk

And the Nominees are..................

Friend of UPSU Award - awarded to an organisation or person who has worked closely with the Students’ Union, supporting our events, volunteering, individuals and/or activities.

Ann Carter – Duloe CofE VA School

Beatbullying Team

Chris Rees – Plymouth University

Claire Hill – Plymouth Guild

Dave Croot – Plymouth University

Duncan Allen and Tarryn Castle – PUPA Education

Joanna Garbett - Scope

Jonathan Noades – The National Trust

Karen Turvey – Plymouth University

Linda Squires – Hedgehog Rescue

Matthew Twiggs – Barn Owl Trust

National Marine Aquarium

Plymouth Rotary Club

Rebecca Catterall – Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership

Richard Rochester - Fostering Support Worker, Devon County Council

Volunteer Personality of the Year - awarded to someone who stands out as a personality within UPSU, Plymouth University and volunteering activities and motivates others.

Alarik Greenland – ViP (Volunteer in Plymouth)

Alexander McLeod – ViP

Daryl Gardner – Jeremiah’s Journey, Sense, Beckly Centre

James Manthorp – Plymouth University Athletics Club

Jamie Hayward – MTG (Musical Theatre Group)

Joss Webber - Rag

Leanne Nicholls - ViP

Paul Harris – Fresher’s Angels, OPAL

Rachel Nafzger - ViP

Rachel Spooner – RELAYS Projects

Theo Francis-Bacon – Rag

Volunteer Team of the Year Award - awarded to a group of students who have shown commitment, dedication, enthusiasm and passion to their volunteering and to their chosen community group/s.

Big Band

Christian Union

Environmental Society

Plymouth Links - St John Ambulance

PLUGS – Plymouth University Guides and Scouts

RAG

Sexpression

PU American Football Team

ViP – Volunteer in Plymouth

New Project Award - will be awarded to an outstanding project which has been realised within this academic year, based within a UPSU Society or in the wider community.

Plymouth University Guides & Scouts (PLUGS) - 30hr Cycle for Sport Relief

RAG - Bungee Jump in aid of Guide Dogs for the Blind

RAG – Jailbreak 2012

RAG - Rotary Sleep-out for Shelterbox

UP American Football Team – Community Coaching Sessions

SCientrific

Volunteer in Plymouth (ViP) - Joint University Project in Exeter

Outstanding Contribution to the 2012 Sporting Legacy

Flames: Lighting the Way Project – Christopher Carter Ross Williams, Lucy Wyer, Alicia Philpott and Emily Brooks

UP American Football Team – Lydon Ward-Best, Jonathon Segarty, Aidan Lee, Grant Phillips-Tebb and Meredith Krip

Outstanding Contribution to the RELAYS Project

UP American Football Team – Lydon Ward-Best, Jonathon Segarty, Aidan Lee, Grant Phillips-Tebb and Meredith Krip

UP Athletics Team – Rachel Spooner, James Manthorp and James Sermon

UP Cheerleaders – Beth Todd and Zoe Ranns

UP Lacrosse team – Jo Harrison, Elaina Gard, Tom Franklin and Dean Matthews

Event of the Year Award - awarded to a group or individual who has created an event within UPSU, PU, or the wider community, which has been high profile and had a great impact.

Movember

Musical Theatre Group - Halloween at The National Trust

PLUGS - 30hr Cycle

RAG - Bungee Jump

RAG - Jailbreak 2012

Get Active @ Duloe

UP Netball Club - Masquerade Ball

VIP Green Team – Bioblitz at Mount Edgcumbe

Community Project Award - awarded to a volunteering project which has been a truly outstanding for its affect within the community and for the volunteers involved.  The award is based on the impact on the community, needs met and positive publicity generated.

Beatbullying Online Mentoring

Flames: Lighting the Way Project

Get Active @ Duloe

Greenbank Christmas Lunch

Sexpression

UP American Football Team - Community Coaching Sessions

ViP Beach Clean with Surfers Against Sewage

ViP Green Team at Sharpham Apple Day

Leadership Award - awarded to an individual who has shown great leadership skills within UPSU or the wider community.  The award this year is kindly sponsored by First Great Western.

Christopher Carter – Flames Project

Clare Palfrey - Rag

Donna Cavill - ViP

Jamie Hayward - MTG

Jamie Humphreys – Plymouth Links

Jason Doe - ViP

Kirstie Fraser - ViP

Kirti Ramesh - ViP

Leanne Nicholls - ViP

Lucy James - PLUGS

Nathan Craig + James Cockerill - PLUGS

Theo Francis Bacon - Rag

Dedication to Volunteering Award - awarded to an individual who has shown a high level of dedication and commitment to volunteering over the past academic year.

Abdulazeez Lawal - Scope

Alarik Greenland – ViP Sustainable Communities Project Leader

Alice Murgatroyd – Student mentoring, Plymouth Museum, Lit Soc

Amanda Hicks - Samaritans

Charlotte Calcutt – ViP Projects

Chris Jones – Totnes Bird of Prey Centre

Clare Palfrey - Rag

Craig Sproat – Dartmoor Zoo

Dan Squires – ViP Projects

Daryl Gardner - Jeremiah’s Journey, Sense, Beckly Centre

Ellen Gilbert – Totnes Rare Breed Centre, Hedgehog Preservation Society

India Layburn – Dartmoor Zoo

Katherine Cowlard – National Marine Aquarium, Paignton Zoo

Katie Stanway – ViP Projects

Leanne Nicholls – ViP Green Team Project Leader

Lydon Ward-Best – PU American Football Team

Matt Morgan - Rag

Matthew Couch – Plymouth Links

Naomi Wisbey – Moor Trees

Paul Kerslake - Rag

Sarah Redford – Salvation Army, Plymouth Youth Offending Team

Simon Stringer – Monkey Sanctuary

William Grassby – ViP Projects

Outstanding Contribution Award - is awarded to a truly outstanding individual who has shown great dedication, passion, commitment and enthusiasm to their chosen volunteering activity or event.  This person shines as an ambassador for volunteering, UPSU and Plymouth University.

Amanda Hicks - Samaritans

Clare Palfrey - Rag

Craig Sproat -  Dartmoor Zoo

Daryl Gardner - Jeremiah’s Journey, Sense, Beckly Centre

Ellen Gilbert – Totnes Rare Breed Centre,

Kirti Ramesh - ViP

Lucy James - PLUGS

Lydon Ward-Best – PU American Football Team
Matthew Couch - Plymouth Links

Matt Morgan - Rag

Simon Stringer – Monkey Sanctuary

Theo Francis Bacon - Rag

Event Marshals Wanted for Cycle Event - 12th May 2012

Opportunity:  Challenge Event Marshal

What the task involves:

At an appointed position on the route, helping Cyclists on the DWT Challenge Event to follow the correct route. Passing water bottles to entrants.

Purpose:

To help entrants to DWT Challenge events to complete the event and get the most satisfaction out of the experience.

Skills and abilities

Reliable, friendly, happy to be outdoors for a few hours. Own transport useful but not essential

Where:

Allocated points around Ivybridge and southern Dartmoor for the Cycle Challenge; the route starts and ends at Ivybridge Station.

When and how often:

Saturday 12 May Times depend on which point of the route you will marshal.

Who is the supervisor:

Dan Smith, Individuals Fundraising Officer

Expenses/equipment available:

Travel expenses to designated point of route It would be helpful if you could bring a mobile phone.

Health and Safety/ Risk Assessment

<http://www.blogger.com/Challenge%20Event%20marshal%20Risk%20Assessment.doc>

What’s in it for the volunteer?

The volunteer will help provide an enjoyable experience for all event participants, meaning this is a crucial role for ensuring a successful fundraising event for DWT.

How to apply

Contact Dan Smith on dsmith@devonwildlifetrust.org or 01392 279244

Sharpham Trust - Volunteers Wanted 7th/8th July

Sharpham Trust - 30th Anniversary celebrations 7th & 8th July

The stunning Sharpham Estate on the banks of the River Dart just outside of Totnes.

A special request for volunteers to help with the festivities - serving food and drinks, welcoming people, helping with the programme eg Olympics or heritage walks. Volunteers are welcome to camp and there will be a BBQ for all helpers on the Saturday night. Please contact outdoors@sharpham.org for volunteering details or 01803732799.

We are planning a feast of visual arts, arts and crafts, outdoor learning, heritage tours, poetry, music and great food - for all ages to enjoy. There will also be the chance to take part in our own unique twist on the Olympic Games! The Sharpham outdoor swimming pool will be open too.

Throughout the weekend there will be an opportunity to view a specially curated exhibition of over 35 paintings by the Polish painter Zdzislaw Ruszkowski, whose work was collected by Maurice and Ruth Ash, and who lived for a period of time at the Boat House at Sharpham. In addition, you will be able to see work from local contemporary artists, who have taken inspiration from Sharpham.

We are offering bed and breakfast at the great price of £45 per person per night. For more details and to book, please contact 01803 732542.

Our packed programme of events for the weekend will be available to download from the website www.sharphamtrust.org nearer the time.

Many thanks,

Kate

Kate Davy

01803732799/07811915441

Volunteer at the Plymouth Half Marathon for Cancer Research UK

Macmillan Internship - Plymouth Area