Over 1,300 Hallam students volunteer in community support efforts

From tree-planting in Sheffield city centre to a beach clean at Cleethorpes, more than 1,300 Sheffield Hallam students have taken part in over 80 volunteering opportunities throughout the year, organised by Hallam Students’ Union

Press contact: Joseph Barker | joseph.barker@shu.ac.uk

Students have taken part in numerous charitable initiatives that benefit the local community as well as broader society. 

One of the opportunities was a tree planting session, in collaboration with the University thanks to funding secured from A Tree for Everyone Grants Programme. The session allowed over 100 staff and students to improve open spaces around the University by planting new trees on the green area between the Owen Building and the new Howard Street developments.   

A further opportunity enabled a group of students to travel to Cleethorpes for a beach clean. They spent the day removing litter from across the shoreline. 

Mariama Kaba, who has completed over 200 hours of volunteering this academic year, said: "I decided to volunteer because I wanted to learn, contribute, share my experiences, and connect with others. I was also interested in learning more about the UK workplace and comparing it with my experiences in Guinea. Volunteering gave me the opportunity to develop new skills, improve my confidence, and understand how people work and communicate in a different environment. Overall, it has been a valuable experience that has helped me grow both personally and professionally." 

Sheffield Hallam students also volunteered with charities across the city, at Kelham Pride with Endometriosis UK, Sheffield Half Marathon with Weston Park Cancer Charity and Meadowhall Motorfest with Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice, showcasing the University's commitment to the local community. 

Ebuka Obi, Hallam Students’ Union President, said: "Volunteering provides students with an opportunity to develop practical skills, expand their networks, and contribute to initiatives that benefits the local community. At Hallam SU, offering volunteering opportunities is a key objective, as it supports our students' education and professional development. It is inspiring to see the variety of opportunities students engage in and the time they dedicate to making a positive impact in society." 

Noah Gough, Student Volunteering Admin Assistant, said: "Volunteering is a really great way to get involved with, learn about and help the local community, which is especially important for students travelling from outside South Yorkshire for uni. Volunteering is also a great way for students to connect with people locally, helping them make friends in a potentially unfamiliar city." 

In the last academic year, 1,395 Sheffield Hallam students volunteered for an average of four hours per month – totalling around 56,000 hours giving back to the community. 

Find out more about volunteering with the Hallam Students’ Union.