University of York volunteering 90,000 hours to help city

University of York students contributed more than 90,000 hours of volunteering to the City during the 2024/25 academic year, with an estimated economic value of over £1.1 million.

More than 2,000 students took part in volunteering schemes, supporting refugees, providing tutoring to disadvantaged children, and running food donation programmes.

The impact was celebrated at the Student Community and Volunteering Awards, held at Merchant Taylors’ Hall on May 7 and attended by city leaders and University leaders.

Professor Kiran Trehan, pro-vice-chancellor for enterprise, partnerships and engagement, said: “At York, promoting the public good isn’t just an aspiration — it’s who we are.

“Tonight reminded us why.

“Hearing our students speak with such passion, purpose and conviction about the difference they’re making in the wider community was inspiring and humbling.

“The extraordinary hours they give, and the lives they touch in return, are a testament to a generation that doesn’t just imagine a better world, they go out and build it.”

From tackling health and education inequalities to addressing loneliness and homelessness, student-led schemes are making a difference across York.

One team received recognition for their work on the Patchwork Kitchen Project, supporting refugee and migrant women from Ukraine and Hong Kong.

Run by York City of Sanctuary, the project offered English language support through group cooking sessions, giving participants the opportunity to share recipes and stories.

It concluded with the creation of a community cookbook.

A spokesman for York City of Sanctuary said: “The students offered invaluable assistance to the ESOL teacher.

“Their input in developing the cookbook was essential: this project simply would not have got off the ground without their help.”

Another standout volunteer was third-year archaeology student Amy, who was nominated by the River Foss Society.

As part of York’s Sustainability Clinic, she contributed to a plant biodiversity study along the river.

The society described the work as a valuable starting point for more detailed future studies.

The All Should Eat project, led by students, was also praised for collecting 900 non-perishable food items to support a local community centre and donating to The Hygiene Bank York.

Professor Matt Matravers, chairman of the university’s community volunteering committee, said: “University of York students have an impressive and longstanding tradition of volunteering and participating in community-engaged activities, and we are delighted by the number of students who continue to give their time to support the wider community.

“The University is, as always, immensely proud of the contribution our students make to the City of York and beyond.”

Community Engaged Learning is now part of 12 academic modules, involving more than 700 students and 65 organisations across York and the wider region.