"The Event" - Hallam Volunteering and Aimhigher South Yorkshire projects - 10 April 2008

Thursday 10th April saw "The Event" - the annual celebration showcase of Aimhigher guided Hallam Volunteering activities with partner Colleges in South Yorkshire. Held at The Hubs, Paternoster Row, Sheffield Hallam University over one hundred guests and participants including Sheffield Hallam University Vice-Chancellor Philip Jones and SAS Director Clive Macdonald attended the evening's activities. The Event was organised by Dearne Valley College "Event" project students and Hallam Volunteers. Guests were invited to discuss the seven projects with HE and FE participants at a reception in the Eye of the Hubs, prior to proceeding to a more formal series of presentations by South Yorkshire Aimhigher Director Jed O'Neill, Vocational Projects Manager David Berry, student project leaders, and staff of partner Colleges. Russell Swannack (Hallam Union President Elect) acted as mc for the evening welcoming both staff and students alike with lively introductions. Elaine Woodhams, Vice Principal of Rotherham College concluded the formal presentations with a summary of the widening participation and engagement benefits of the project activities.

The seven projects involved students from a range of partner colleges. Sheffield College students from Castle Centre were involved with Wordplay - a nursery based programme involving both parents and pre-school children in early reading activities. Sheffield College 'Hillsborough Centre' students ran the "Sports on Tour" programme with Hallam Volunteers and pupils from Myers Grove School. RCAT level 3 computing students again hosted the 3D animation project - producing digitally animated short films. New to the project roster this year was Re-cycle it - a project working with Barnsley College students on L3 Arts Programmes who produced 'The re-cycle tree' a large piece of public art. Also Doncaster College hosted "Season It" - a healthy eating programme working with Health and Early Years L3 students. The Event also staged the premiere of the Showreel film produced by Hallam Volunteers and Dearne Valley College students outlining the scope and effects of the range of the Aimhigher supported HV projects.