Volunteer in Plymouth (ViP*) is a society that helps to organise and run the student-led volunteering opportunities at UPSU. All members of UPSU are automatically members of ViP*, however in order to be kept up to date with our activities, please sign up to the ViP* and individual project mailing lists by emailing volunteer@su.plymouth.ac.uk, or visiting the team in the Hive.

We will be taking students out to several established projects, and organising many one-off volunteering and social events throughout the year. Please note that it will be necessary to complete a ‘Student Volunteer Contact Details’ form before the completion of any UPSU Volunteering activities, so pick up a from the Volunteering office in the Hive today and begin your volunteering journey!

                                  
                                     Moor Trees

Hi, I'm Carl. I'm a third year Geography student and am now the Moor trees project leader! With the help of student volunteers, Moor Trees aims to restore native woodland to Dartmoor. Throughout the year the student Volunteer team get involved in seed collection, nursery work, tree planting and more commonly... cake eating. With a Wednesday and Sunday group now running there are plenty of opportunities to get involved with.

Please visit the ViP page on the Moor Trees website for information on how to sign up and confirmation of upcoming volunteering dates!
 

Project leader: Carl Townley

Hey I'm Hannah and I'm in my third year of Geography with Ocean Science. As the Rural Stations Project Leader I will be organising trips to various rural stations in Devon and Cornwall and making sure everyone has a good time!

The Rural Stations Project involves working with The Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership based in the University's School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences. The partnership aims to encourage more people to use rural and inner city branch lines, such as the Liskeard to Looe line in Cornwall. Volunteer activities throughout the year include cleaning, renovating, gardening and generally beautifying the stations on these lines. Volunteers can also become involved in themed activity days.

I’m Steve, and I am currently in my 3rd year studying Geography! The Barn Owl Trust is a charity based nr. Ashburton, Devon whose sole purpose is to help conserve the Barn Owl and its environment. As a volunteer you’ll be working in the reserve and maintaining the habitat of the birds. This will involve clearing scrub from river banks, building loose stone walls, pruning orchard trees and much more. The project is a great way to get into the fresh outdoors on the edge of Dartmoor, meet new people, and help a brilliant cause.

Website: www.barnowltrust.org.uk

The Green Team undertake a range of environmentally related one-off projects from beach cleans to coppicing and scrub clearance. The group work with organisations such as the National Trust, the Dartmoor Preservation Association and Natural England.

Simon - Hi I'm currently in 2nd Year on Conservation Biology degree programme. I'll be leading Green Team projects that aim to help environmental and wildlife conservation. I love the outdoors and working on projects close to own values. Looking forward to meeting all the volunteers this year.

Project leaders: Ben Westcott & Simon Stringer

Sustainable Communities work with Landmatters, a small co-operatively owned community in Totnes. This community strives to live following permaculture principles whilst using renewable technologies to lower their ecological and carbon footprints. Volunteers assist them with communal projects such as gardening, building, coppicing etc. where more hands are required to complete the work.

Website: www.landmatters.org.uk

The Looe Monkey Sanctuary is home to rescued Capuchin and Woolly Monkeys, as well as Barbary Macaques. Visitors receive an intimate insight into a working sanctuary, with keepers on hand all day to give informative talks on the centre’s residents, as well as the charity’s wider work. Volunteers help out over the winter to get the sanctuary ready for the next season. Activities include landscaping, footpath creation/repairs, weeding and planting.

Website: www.monkeysanctuary.org

President: Natalie Rayner




















As president I try my best to organise the committee and get everything to run smoothly. In life generally I like being outside and running around lots =)

Deputy President: Matt Palmer





As Vice president I do my best to support Natalie and the rest of the committee in carrying out their roles and to help to keep things running smoothly.

Treasurer: Zoe Bryan

 Hi I’m Zoe, the Treasurer for VIP. My role is to look after the committee’s money and to spend it wisely on promoting the committee, or for other things that help the projects run smoothly.

Secretary: Dan Squires


Hey I’m Dan, a second year Robotics student with a passion for community volunteering, and a belief in big society!

Alongside my Secretarial duties planning and minuting committee meetings, I am looking forward to taking out ViP members on one-off community and sports volunteering activities, and assisting our fantastic project leaders to make this the most successful year of ViP yet!

I would be particularly interested in hearing from anybody interested in establishing a community, teaching or sports based project, and people already involved with organisations that might be interested in collaborations.