UNIVERSITY students are celebrating after the success of their volunteering program has been recognised by the King.

University of Essex students in Colchester, Southend and Loughton have seen the Students' Union's VTeam volunteering programme recognised with the King's Award for Voluntary Service 2023. 

This is the highest national award a voluntary group can receive in the UK and is given to volunteer groups across the UK to recognise exceptional service within their communities.

The award is considered the “MBE for voluntary groups”.

VTeam aims to give students rewarding experiences while also helping them gain transferable skills for the future.

Students can get involved in various types of regular, one-off, and online projects with VTeam covering all travelling and equipment costs to ensure all students can get involved. 

Two big parts of the VTeam are the First Stop Centre in Braintree and the Refugee Teaching Programme.

VTeam volunteers have made a big difference to the First Stop Centre, which is a grass roots project offering real and immediate help to members of the community who are struggling with problems in their lives.

VTeam volunteers spend Saturdays at the centre supporting learners with English, Maths, IT and other subjects. 

Meanwhile, on the Refugee Teaching Programme, student volunteers make a huge difference helping to teach English as well as helping with writing, reading, pronunciation, and practising speaking and listening skills.

SU volunteering manager Chris Moore said: “The University of Essex Students’ Union’s VTeam is a record-breaking collective of students at the University of Essex who, with the support of the Students’ Union, volunteer thousands of hours to make a positive difference to people’s lives.  

 “Their impressive roster of volunteering projects includes cultural integration for refugees, support for the vulnerable both young and old, schools’ projects around science, maths, languages, and more, plus a range of larger projects supporting charities and community events and tackling big issues like the environment and mental health.”

University vice-chancellor Professor Anthony Forster added: “I am extremely proud of each of our student volunteers.

“They represent the Essex Spirit in action and this national award for the VTeam is extremely well deserved.

“As we begin our 60th anniversary celebrations, this award is fitting recognition for the amazing impact of our student volunteers over many years.”