University offers free internship to a local charity
Release Date 09 March 2011
The University of Reading is looking for a charity that could really benefit from a student volunteer.
Each year, the Careers Advisory Service runs the Summer Enterprise Experience Discovery (SEED) initiative for at least eight weeks where organisations and businesses offer work placements. Sponsoring companies usually pay a weekly training allowance of £250, but for the third year in a row the University will provide the finances so a charity can benefit from the skills and enthusiasm of a student.
Andy Port, Employability Projects Manager in the Careers Advisory Service, said: "We want to continue our support for a charity given our previous experience of the great impact and lasting impression a SEED student can make on their host. We work with many worthy causes who often find it hard to offer paid work so, by financially supporting a student to undertake a project within a charity, we hope can make a big difference, to both the selected charity and our student's experience.
"We are looking for a charity in the Thames Valley area that needs someone to maybe get a project up and running or assist in fundraising in some way, something a little extra than admin support. This way the student gains valuable work skills and the charity benefits too."
One charity that has benefited is Alexandra Road Community Day Nursery. Student Emma Lovett submitted a fundraising bid on behalf of the nursery, which resulted in a £15,000 council grant being awarded for the development of a new garden and play area for the children.
Caroline Thoyts, Nursery Manager, said: "The upgraded play area has enabled us to provide a safer, more stimulating environment for the children's care and education. The nursery has gained so much from this project. I would urge organisations to get involved."Interested charities should apply by Monday 18 April. For more information, please email SEED@reading.ac.uk or call 0118 378 8359.
Previous organisations that have been involved with SEED are full of nothing but praise for the scheme. Most usually continue to offer work placements after their first year and say the student input has proved extremely beneficial.
Each year there is an awards ceremony with prizes for the most deserving students. Last year's winner, Rhian McPhail, worked for Spice Thames Valley & Solent, an adventure, social and leisure group. Rhian worked on the company's website and marketing strategy and was so impressive that the company offered her a part-time job during her last year at Reading.
Dominic Renshaw, MD of Spice, said: "To be honest I was apprehensive at first but I was amazed at the difference Rhian made. Her contribution couldn't have been any bigger if she‘d had 10 years' experience. We're very proud of her and glad that Rhian will still be working with us."
Anyone interested in offering a summer internship should submit an application form by 31 March 2011. Contact details above.
ENDS
Media enquiries - please contact Rona Cheeseman, press officer, on 0118 378 7388 or email r.cheeseman@reading.ac.uk