On Wednesday 3 May, the LSE and London charity community came together to celebrate the amazing work of our student volunteers. The LSE Volunteer Centre was excited to host our Annual LSE Volunteering Awards with LSE staff, students, and charity partners. We were also proud to announce the award winners, chosen from charity and student nominations. You can read more about our thirty student nominees in blogposts part one and part two.
We were honoured to be joined by members of LSESU RAG (Raising and Giving) and hear from RAG President, James Relf. James spoke about the incredible successes of RAG this year, including supporting the newly opened LSE Charity Shop in conjunction with the Sustainable Futures Society (SFS). James was proud to share that RAG had raised over £50,000 this year through their fundraising efforts this year!
Additionally, we were joined by Andrew Pei, a representative from the winning team of the 2023 Community Engagement Programme. Andrew spoke about the profound lessons and skills gained from their time working together as a team. You can read the full transcript of Andrew’s speech on our blog!
LSE Volunteer of the Year
The LSE Volunteer of the Year 2023 was awarded to Maya Kaul (BSc Economics, 2023) for her breadth and depth of commitment to meaningful volunteering roles. Specifically, Maya was a Student Volunteering Ambassador, Salusbury World Mentor, WONDER Foundation Intern, and foodbank collection volunteer. During Student Volunteering Week, Maya organised a one-off volunteering opportunity for students and staff to write letters of advice about university to the young people that Salusbury World works with. Maya’s nominator wrote that “it is hard to imagine how someone could dedicate this much time to volunteering during their time at LSE…Throughout all of this she is humble and the ultimate team player.”
“This year for me has been full of so many inspiring volunteering initiatives and the awards evening allowed me to reflect on the growth and learning I’ve achieved throughout it. I felt proud reflecting on the several ways in which I have actively pursued causes that I am passionate about, which before beginning university I had not imagined I would be doing so soon. Receiving the award was really special and encouraging, and I am extremely grateful for every experience that it represents.”
Maya Kaul (BSc Economics, 2023)
Outstanding Contribution to the LSE Community
Sarah Onifade (BSc International Relations, 2024) was awarded Outstanding Contribution to the LSE Community, for her inspirational work in so many aspects of the LSE community. Her involvements and volunteering include—but isn’t limited to—the LSE peer support group, the ‘Uplift Black Students’ campaign, the Student Volunteering Ambassadors, and Occupy LSE. Sarah was also recently elected LSESU Welfare and Liberation Sabbatical Officer for the 2023-2024 school year. We were also honored to hear a wonderful speech from Sarah at the awards, in which she reflected on her organising during Student Volunteering Week to recognise ways to care for mental health while volunteering. As her nominator wrote, “Sarah’s extensive volunteer experience showcases her dedication to serving her community and making a positive impact.”
“Winning the outstanding contribution award means so much to me. I have spent most of my time at LSE involved in so many extracurricular advocacy and volunteering work. It has contributed so much to my university experience and I appreciate being recognised for this. I hope the award continues to inspire students that they can make a positive difference in their LSE community that not only helps other but provides a personal priceless feeling of fulfilment and connection.”
Sarah Onifade (BSc International Relations, 2024)
LSE Voluntary Organisation of the Year
We were proud to announce Carers UK as the LSE Voluntary Organisation of the Year 2023! Carers UK provides information on caring, help carers connect with each other, campaign with carers for lasting change, and use innovation to improve services. Before their 60th anniversary in 2025, they aim to create a society that requires carers to be treated equally in all aspects of their lives, connect carers to that no one has to care alone, and halve the time it takes for carers to recognise themselves as carers and get the support they need. They also took part in the 2023 Community Engagement Programme, partnering with a group of students to produce a consultancy piece on an issue within the organisation. We are so appreciative of Carers UK for their commitment to growing and learning within the LSE community.
“We are delighted and privilege to receive the LSE Voluntary Organisation of the Year Award 2023. I truly believe that volunteering has a positive impact in society. The award recognises our commitment to provide meaningful volunteering opportunities for students and unpaid carers. We hope LSE students have found their volunteering experience with Carers UK meaningful. Their support has been very valuable in raising awareness of unpaid carers. We look forward to continue working with the LSE Volunteer Centre.”
Paola Hanks, Carers UK
Longstanding Commitment to Volunteering
Finally, we introduced a new award this year, Longstanding Commitment to Volunteering, in order to recognise a student who has gone above and beyond in their volunteering efforts during their time at LSE. The first recipient of this award was Dowon Kim (MSc International Relations, 2023), who was nominated as a Communications Intern with WONDER Foundation. According to her nominator, Dowon is “always reliable, and has given much of her time while balancing a master’s degree to improve the lives of women and girls.” Perhaps most impressive, Dowon has been nominated for Volunteer of the Year three occasions; it is clear that she is incredibly deserving of this recognition!
We’d like to say a massive thank you to our winners, nominees and supporters across the LSE community and charity sector. In our mission to inspire and empower students to volunteer, you have in turn inspired and empowered us!
If the 2023 Awards 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.
