We’re pleased to share the shortlisted nominees for voluntary organisation of the year! A big shout out to the 4 organisations who have been recognised for going above and beyond when working with LSE student volunteers. We’ll be announcing the winner at the LSE Volunteer Awards on Wednesday 5 May, at 5pm. If you would like to join us, please register here via zoom. 

Organisation Name: City Year UK
Nominated by: Ed Unwin

This year, City Year UK’s supported me to; conduct market research to provide a pathway for the charity to support more pupils and young adults. Create the organisation’s first volunteer competency framework. Serving as a blueprint for the recruitment of additional volunteers. Work with the CEO to redesign the recruitment process for the programme. Finally, I helped implement the Kickstart scheme, addressing youth unemployment, by enhancing the induction experience. During my time with CYUK I developed knowledge of HR, had time for personal development where I explored my next career steps, worked closely with senior leaders on significant projects and had regular management meetings and feedback on my progression. City Year UK also came runner up in the LSE Community Engagement Programme – 7 students met senior leaders and conducted research, improving the the organisation’s work culture. In this difficult year, volunteering for City Year UK has been the highlight of my week.

Organisation Name: The WONDER Foundation
Nominated by: Taitum Caggiano

The WONDER Foundation does a great job of challenging its volunteers while also treating them with kindness, care and respect. Working with WONDER adds to the experience of an education at LSE rather than taking away from it by adding extra stress. For example, Olivia Darby, who is a co-founder of WONDER and serves as a supervisor, frequently checks in on the wellbeing of her volunteers and ensures that their work at WONDER isn’t interfering with their personal and academic responsibilities. She also provides support and advice which furthers the occupational development of her volunteers. Additionally, WONDER as a whole does a fantastic job of including and giving principal roles to members of the community in which it works, making for an inclusive and collaborative work environment that challenges traditional top-down structures. I would recommend any LSE student to consider volunteering and learning with WONDER if they want to be involved in sustainable work towards gender equity.

Organisation Name: St Mungo’s
Nominated by: David Coles, LSE Volunteer Centre

St Mungo’s have been a fantastic partner to the Volunteer Centre and wider LSE over the past year, since the creation of the LSE Homelessness Project. They’ve worked with LSE and LSESU to ensure that the LSE community can make a difference to those affected by homelessness in so many ways. They’ve attended talks, provided advice, supported fundraisers, recruited volunteers and been part of the Community Engagement Programme. In short they’ve been a model partner.

Organisation Name: The Felix Project
Nominated by: David Coles, LSE Volunteer Centre

The Volunteer Centre has worked with the Felix Project for a number of years but over the past year we’ve seen a surge of interest from LSE students in the work that they do. In turn they’ve offered our students fantastic volunteering opportunities and support to ensure that they can make a difference. Their work has been incredibly important during the pandemic and despite being very busy they’ve made time to speak to our students at events such as our seminar on how to take action in relation to food insecurity.

If this has inspired you to volunteer, check out one of our other ongoing opportunities or book a one-to-one with David Coles, the Volunteer Centre Manager if you have more questions. And why not follow us on Twitter, and Instagram to stay up-to-date with our events and opportunities and read our blog for more volunteering tips and stories.