EDGE HILL JOINS PARTNERS IN VOLUNTEERING

29th January 2004

EDGE HILL JOINS PARTNERS IN VOLUNTEERING

Edge Hill is to join other Merseyside higher education institutions and community groups to promote volunteering opportunities for staff and students at a conference at Blackburne House, Liverpool, on Friday 6th February.

Edge Hill College of Higher Education, Liverpool Hope University College, Liverpool John Moores University and the University of Liverpool are involved in two-year projects to develop links with local communities through volunteering projects. The conference, supported by Liverpool City of Learning, is aimed at sharing best practice as well as generating opportunities for partnership work.

Andrea Rannard is Volunteering Project Coordinator at Edge Hill, she said: "A large number of volunteering projects have been set up over the passed 18 months. The conference is the ideal vehicle for sharing ideas and learning from other?s experiences."

The conference will focus on practical workshops to highlight how relationships have been established with partners such as schools, large charities and small local organisations.

Andrea Rannard: "We are hoping to unlock the potential of volunteering both within the higher education sector as well as the wider community. Here at Edge Hill we have found that by recognising and exploring the skills of students and mapping their talents to specific projects within local organisations we can build mutually beneficial relationships. We are keen to share our experiences with other higher education institutions, community organisations and the Liverpool Student Community Action Group (LSCA)."

Key speakers include Claire McColgan, regeneration manager of Capital of Culture and Ben Harrison, chief executive and co-founder of Weston Spirit.

For further information about the conference call Sue Aigelsreiter on 0151 794 1184 or Louise Keeler on 0151 231 3159.

If you?re interested in recruiting staff or student volunteers from Edge Hill call Andrea Rannard on 01695 584322. ENDS

EDITOR?S NOTES: For further press information please contact: Roisin Rowley-Smith PR Manager Tel: 01695 584509 Fax: 01695 584355 E mail: rowlesr@edgehill.ac.uk or pressoffice@edgehill.ac.uk