Voluntary Action Camden : Grant Aid

ICT Outreach Project

Students from Birkbeck College volunteer in Camden to support community groups in their needs for IT.

Picture of Mayor of Camden with Volunteers and staff from VAC and Camden Volunteer Centre.

On 3rd May 07, Voluntary Action Camden (VAC), Birkbeck College and Camden community groups celebrated the new links between Birkbeck College and the Camden voluntary and community sector.

This celebration was for the achievement of Birkbeck College students who completed their work related module on the ICT Foundation Degree courses by working as volunteers on specific projects for community groups through VAC’s support. Students did several projects such as website designing, database designs, Network and software installation support, etc, for Camden community groups. A brief presentation of the students’ work took place for the audience which comprised of the Mayor of Camden, Cllr Jill Fraser, Jonathan Merrison, Chair of Trustees of VAC, Hayley Watts, Director at Volunteer Centre Camden, VAC staff members, Birkbeck staff members, and representatives from the community groups in Camden.

In her speech, Mayor of Camden, Cllr Jill Fraser, said “the skills brought to the community groups by the students were very much in demand and she hopes that by volunteering the students had a good experience and continue more in supporting community groups.”

One of the students, Gerry Ridge, said ‘it was a great experience that will be put to good use in my future employment’. He further added that he enjoyed this wonderful experience, working with VAC as a volunteer and supporting community groups in Camden in designing their websites so that people can have easy access. The students were very keen to continue to work with community groups on their ICT needs.

The community groups present and the Haley Watts, Director of the Volunteer Centre Camden, said that it was a very good experience for them to work with VAC and hope that this sort of project continues to support them.

Voluntary Action Camden (VAC) is planning to continue this project of strengthening the work of community groups by providing student volunteers from Birkbeck College to cater to their IT requirements. For more information, please contact the VAC Office on 020 7284 6550.

Last updated May 14, 2007