Do>More - 1^st Semester in 2011

Students have been more involved in Do>More than ever before this year! So many of you have been getting ‘stuck in’.

Over 300 people signed up at Freshers Fayre and we were delighted that at our first event of the year, ‘Social Volunteer Speed Match’ saw over one hundred eager volunteers come through the doors to find a charity to match their volunteering needs. With over 15 local charities, along with University and Surrey Sport’s Park volunteering representatives, how could people fail to find their match?

‘Micro–Volunteering’ events have been hugely successful this semester. ‘Paint a Pot for an OAP’ exceeded everyone’s expectations with over 120 people painting something beautiful to cheer up an OAP’s day. This event was so popular; the committee had to rush to B&Q in the middle of the day to buy their entire stock of pots! Volunteers went to the Park Barn Centre later that week to deliver the pots and all the OAPs were delighted. The more recent ‘Make a card for a sick child’ event was just as big a success; over 70 cards were made for children who’re terminally ill. Their Christmas is sure to be cheered up by some of the beautiful cards.

CSV’s Make a Difference Day (22^nd-5^th November – Yes, despite its name, it’s actually 2 weeks!) meant Guildford Action also benefited from student volunteers who ran an Arts afternoon. Volunteers helped service users to make cards, draw and paint, as well as having a general natter. The staff at Guildford Action were exceedingly grateful for our time. The rugby club also transformed two local gardens as part of the ‘Society Garden Cleanup’; the owners were overjoyed!

Still to come? We have a community quiz planned, so if you live out in the local neighbourhoods, keep your eyes out for flyers. We also have a project-led campaign running to fill Christmas Shoeboxes. Items can be delivered to the Union from now and on the 7^th and 14^th December from midday, you can come and decorate and fill the shoeboxes ready to send to Guildford Action and Shooting Star Chase. Please give as much as you can to the campaign – a tin of beans, a toiletry set, a teddy bear... anything will make someone’s Christmas when this is the only gift they may receive!

Thank you to all those who have supported Do>More this semester and keep that support coming. Look out for our events after Christmas: there’ll be another, bigger and better Speed Match; more ‘micro–volunteering’; some green fingered volunteers needed to help us with conservation projects and National Volunteering Week (February 20^th-26^th) which is sure to packed with things to get involved with.

Have a fantastic Christmas break! We look forward to you all getting involved in 2012.

Do>More, Be>More, Volunteer.

Email: Ussu.DoMore@surrey.ac.uk 

Website: www.surreydomore.co.uk 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/SurreyDoMore