Student Volunteer Week is back, an event that acknowledges the work accomplished by youngsters, including those in Central Otago.

This year's event, also being called #SVW2022, is an opportunity to acknowledge the impact that student volunteers make through volunteering.

Student Volunteer Week, which runs from April 4 to 10, is also an opportunity to enable students to try volunteering.

Volunteer South is among those celebrating the work of young ones, while also supporting them on their journey to volunteer.

The group is passionate about enabling young people to connect with their community through volunteering and will focus on enabling more young people to volunteer this year.

Volunteer South - Central Lakes Manager Gillian White said the organisation worked with Dunstan High School and Mount Aspiring College last year, connecting more than 100 students to their community through volunteering on teacher only days.

The group is looking forward to re-establishing that work when the risk of Covid-19 is reduced.

“Wakatipu High School is also keen to offer volunteering on teacher only days, alongside their website ‘Give Time’ that was set up in 2020 with the aim of easily connecting students to organisations in the area,” Gillian said.

There are thousands of high-school and university students who give, grow, and connect through volunteering.

Their contribution has a major impact on communities and causes, on both the national and international stage.

There are young people involved in volunteering through initiatives such as The William Pike Challenge, Duke of Edinburgh Award, Mount Aspiring College's Students in the Community and the many activities arranged through dedicated school service committee volunteers.

Helping out are (from left) Pauline Mc Alpine, Leon Morris, Isla Nelson and Oliver Lambeth (Dunstan High School students) at Community Pa Harakeke. PHOTO: Volunteer South

The Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal supported by Dunstan High School's Jimmy White, Noah Bennie and Robert Gordon. PHOTO: Volunteer South

Volunteer South is also part of a national youth focus group within the Volunteer Centre Network Aotearoa, which is working to reach deeper into their communities to support youth volunteering and to encourage organisations to offer the flexibility often needed by young volunteers.

In Dunedin, Volunteer South and University of Otago's Social Impact Studio, which supports student-driven change through volunteering and leadership, share volunteer opportunities to ensure organisations seeking volunteers reach the widest potential volunteer audience.

“Young volunteers bring so much to the organisations they support, a fresh energy, passion and many new skills and ideas.

"We will be working hard in the upcoming year to highlight the benefits to organisations of opening their doors to young people. There are young people keen to volunteer - so we will be focusing on supporting them to become active volunteers,” Gillian said.

Give.Grow.Connect. is the theme of #SVW2022 and the nationwide campaign is being driven by Volunteering New Zealand.

Student volunteers give a hand and add value to the community. By giving to a community or cause, student volunteers grow and flourish.

They gain knowledge, experience, and create change within their communities. Through volunteering, mahi aroha and social impact, student volunteers create their own social and professional networks. They connect with peers and people who share their same passion and interests.

For more about Student Volunteer Week click here.