Over 90 volunteers from the University and Coventry University joined forces on 16 February 2013 to mark Student Volunteering Week with a Big Challenge, taking part in three different local projects.

Jenny Watson, Warwick Volunteers, said,

We could not be more impressed by the commitment and dedication shown by student volunteers from Warwick and Coventry at this year’s Big Challenge. Their contribution to the local community makes a positive difference, a virtue that is reinforced by the continued enthusiasm and welcome shown by local community leaders. We would like to thank these members of the community for facilitating the work our students can do during their time at university and Santander Universities for their support, which allows Big Challenge to build on the successes it has achieved in previous years."

Volunteers helped with conservation at Coombe Country Park, clearing an area by the lake, clearing an area overgrown by the invasive Rhododendron plant, which will enable the slow growing native plants to flourish.

Around 30 volunteers, including local conservation group Friends of Canley Green Spaces, planted trees creating a new area of woodland in Canley. The volunteers planted over 600 trees including Oak, Cherry, Hazel, Field Maple and Scots Pine species along the railway line to provide a future noise barrier and improve the view for local residents.

Big Challenge was a one day event, organised by Warwick Volunteers and Coventry Volunteering and Employability and supported by Santander Universities.

Staff from the University branch of Santander bank joined student volunteers at St Peter’s Centre, which is situated in Hillfields and provides support for vulnerable people. To brighten up the Centre’s meeting space, the volunteers designed and painted a colourful mural which had a global theme, depicting people from many nationalities.

Reesha Gokani from Santander said:

We thoroughly enjoyed participating and supporting the university community with their Big Challenge. The experience of mural painting at St Peter's Centre was very rewarding, from seeing the room being quite plain but once we'd finished it was full of life and colour. Thank you for allowing us to take part in the challenge and allowing us to help the Warwick and Coventry volunteers make a difference to the local community."

Other volunteering opportunities

Warwick Volunteers provides opportunities for students and staff to volunteer in a variety of roles, within the local community. There are a range of different projects available; some require a regular commitment, whereas others are flexible and allow you to give as much time as you are able to.

Find out more