Royal Holloway, University of London (RHUL), has a strong sense of commitment to its local community in Surrey. This is reflected in the large number of causes they are involved with - particularly at BEN. A number of its students volunteer their time and skills to our Head Office in Sunninghill, and Lynwood, one of our nursing and residential centres' which is located next door. This partnership began three years ago at one of RHUL's part-time career fairs, and it continues to prove a success.

Phil Simcock, RHUL Community Action Volunteer Co-ordinator, told us, "Volunteering provides an opportunity for students to get involved and contribute to the local community. It's also a great chance for them to use their skills and abilities to help people in need, meet new people and develop their existing skills to improve their CVs".

The most popular volunteering opportunities at BEN, amongst RHUL students, are administrative work, residential care and marketing and database support. Other ways that RHUL volunteers have helped us involve cleaning wheelchairs for the residents at Lynwood, gardening and supporting us with the general maintenance of the centre.

Even though RHUL does not provide automotive-related degrees, volunteering at BEN still provides a unique opportunity for its students. According to Phil Simcock, supporting BEN is important as we're not only a local charity, but also a national one, giving students an opportunity experience first-hand how a national organisation is run.

Phil also told us that RHUL students who volunteer at BEN tend to give more hours of their time than any of the other student volunteers - so thank you very much for your dedication and commitment!

If you are interested in volunteering your time or skills to BEN, please get in touch with Adam Hanrahan, National Volunteers Co-ordinator, on 01344 294719 or email adam.hanrahan@ben.org.uk.

View our current volunteering opportunities.