Student volunteers donate 70,000 hours in a year

Students at Sheffield Hallam University have totalled around 74,000 hours of volunteering around the community in the last year, their union has said.

More than 1,500 students volunteered for an average for four hours per month.

They were involved in gardening, dog walking, and helping to tidy up the area around Ladybower reservoir.

The Hallam Students' Union says the scheme has also benefited more than 80 charities in the city.

Akruti Pandoria was one of the volunteers in a litter pick-up in the Peak District and said: "While you may not always have the hours to spare, having the heart to help can make a meaningful impact."

She said: "The sense of community and shared purpose made the experience particularly meaningful.

"This experience reinforced my commitment to making a positive impact on the environment and showed me the power of teamwork and dedication."

Volunteers also took part a pen-pal scheme in partnership with Sheffield Churches Council for Community Care.

It saw students writing hundreds of postcards to be delivered to those who are isolated or elderly and in care homes.

Hallam Students' Union president Martha Mitchell said: "Volunteering is a great way for our students to feel connected with the Sheffield community and I am pleased that so many of our students have been able to help and make a real difference this year."

The volunteer scheme has also planned to send students to help at the Sheffield 10K running event in 2024, in aid of Roundabout, the young people's homelessness charity in Sheffield.

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