Speedy Volunteers - love it! (25/02/2010)

Students at the College of West Anglia were given a whistle-stop tour of local volunteer agencies with a “speed dating” event at the King’s Lynn Campus. A sharp blast on a whistle marked the end of every four minutes as groups of students made their way round a number of agencies which set out their stalls in the main hall of the King’s Lynn campus on Tuesday. (February 23).

In the first event of its kind at the college, agencies ranging from the Community Service Volunteers to NW Norfolk Scouts and the National Trust were all visited by the would-be helpers. At the end of each meeting the students could indicate if the organisation was for them by ticking “love it” on their feedback forms – and their details would be passed on for future contact.

“It was great to see the interest from the students – it went really well and hopefully there will be some good relationships formed with the agencies who took the time to come here,” said Student Advisor Jodie Scott.

The event was jointly organised with the Norfolk Vinvolve team, with offices in Lynn’s Tuesday Market Place. Youth Volunteering Development Manager Louise Howes said the college had earlier hosted a volunteer fair which had proved to be very successful with more than 40 students signing-up with a wide range of agencies.