Brunel University London and Uxbridge College students’ massive community volunteer day

Students from Brunel University London and Uxbridge College made annual Good Deeds Day 2019 a fantastic success with a wide range of voluntary fundraising activities in and around Uxbridge town centre.

From free manicures, to dance and music entertainment, to running a tea dance and providing support to older users of technology, the student volunteers made life easier for their community for a few hours and raised money for the Mayor of Hillingdon’s charities.

Mayor Cllr John Morgan, accompanied on this occasion by his Escort Pauline Bianco, was guest of honour, and money raised went into his Charity Appeal. Professor William Leahy, Brunel’s Vice Provost for Students, Staff and Civic Engagement, also attended – including getting a manicure from Uxbridge College Beauty Therapy students!

The event, which involved more than 130 student volunteers from Brunel University London and Uxbridge College, included a range of stalls and activities in The Pavilions shopping centre and intu Uxbridge, extending to Shopmobility, Uxbridge Library, the Thames Valley Hospice charity shop, St Margaret’s Church and Christchurch in and around the town centre. Volunteering activities also took place around the borough including at Dovetail Community Outreach in Hillingdon, and West Drayton Community Centre.

Volunteers from both the college and university also helped collect for the Foodbank, helped run a stall for the local children’s bereavement charity HALO, gave out balloons and refreshments, and more. Brunel students took part in a range of activities including Digital Drop-in to support older technology users at the library, stalls in the Pavilions, and a tea dance. Uxbridge College students provided free manicures in the Pavilions, gave music and dance performances, cleaned mobility scooters, helped out at DASH bingo (Disablement Association Hillingdon), to and helped pack bags for customers in stores including Wilko’s and M&S.

Professor Leahy commented:

“Volunteering is at the centre of the Brunel student community and our students welcome the opportunity to contribute their time, knowledge and expertise within the local Hillingdon area and beyond. It was inspiring to see the number of students who volunteered their time to help others at the Good Deeds Day event and a shining example of volunteering in action – a good deed, no matter how big or small, really can make a difference to others.”

Nancy Rawlings Brunel Volunteers and PDC Job Shop Manager said:

“The annual Good Deeds Day event is extremely important as it helps to encourage, promote and support student volunteering Hillingdon. It is a celebration of community involvement and the numerous charitable activities that are supported by Brunel University London and Uxbridge College volunteers. Our thanks to our community partners, dedicated volunteers and all who helped to make Good Deeds Day 2019 possible.”

Armani Campbell, Student Support Officer – Citizenship and Volunteering Activities, said:

“This is an amazing opportunity for Uxbridge College students not only in terms of volunteering but to be at the heart of their community where they can make new links and help with groups they might not normally get a chance to work with. It is also very valuable for them to work with students from Brunel University London to help raise their aspirations around their options for the future.”

The Uxbridge College students who took part were from Beauty Therapy, ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages), Foundation Studies, Media, Performing Arts, Public Services, and Travel & Tourism courses.

The Mayor’s Charity Appeal supports Peter Pan and Wendy Children’s Ward at Hillingdon Hospital, the national charity Phab (Physically handicapped and able-bodied) and Grangewood School in Eastcote for children with special needs. A total of £227 was raised for the appeal.

Annual Good Deeds Day in the borough, which began in 2013, helps promote and encourage student volunteering in Hillingdon, raise awareness of the positive impact that students have in the local community and develop community relationships.

This event was organised by Brunel Volunteers at Brunel University London, Uxbridge College, The Pavilions Uxbridge, Uxbridge BID and INTU Uxbridge.