College Celebrates National Volunteers Week

We are proud to recognise the outstanding contributions of our staff volunteers as part of National Volunteer Week, highlighting the positive impact they make both within the College and across the wider community.

Volunteering plays a vital role in strengthening communities, and colleagues across the College continue to dedicate their time, skills and passion to support others. Among those making a difference are recent winners of the College’s staff Volunteer of the Year award, Sarah, Events & Outreach Team Lead, and Andrew, Engineering Lecturer.

Our Award-Winning Volunteers

Sarah, who received the award in 2024, is an active volunteer with the Scouts, where she helps to create meaningful opportunities for young people. She says, “I believe volunteering plays a vital role in giving back to the community and supporting others. Through my role in the Scouting movement, I’m able to provide opportunities for young people to grow in confidence and develop essential life skills. It’s incredibly rewarding to see them thrive, knowing that the experiences they gain will help shape their future.”

Andrew, the College’s 2025 Volunteer of the Year, is also deeply committed to supporting his local community through his involvement with the Church of England. Alongside training part-time to become a priest, he volunteers extensively within the church and local area. He says, “I am currently training part time with the Church of England to be priest/vicar and a lot of my volunteering is within the local community and the church. I recently completed a 3 month placement in a community church in Buttershaw, helping many of our members with their disabilities and additional needs and I also run a monthly men’s group. The college supports my volunteering by giving flexibility when required, and this summer my line managers have agreed to give me 3 days volunteering leave, which is a policy available to all staff.”

Support from College

The College actively supports and encourages volunteering, recognising the value it brings to individuals, communities and personal development. All staff are entitled to three days of volunteering leave each year, enabling them to contribute to causes they care about during working hours.

By celebrating colleagues like Sarah and Andrew, the College continues to champion a culture of giving back and making a difference, aligning with the College Mission of Transforming Lives.