Carly has heavily supported the Volunteer Centre with setting up the Growing Together Project in Oldfield Park.
At the recent Students’ Union Annual Reception student Carly Whittaker was presented with the Off Campus Prize, presented by the Vice Chancellor.
The off Campus Prize is kindly sponsored by First Bus and is awarded to a University of Bath student who has shown both determination and commitment to improving the lives of others through their volunteering activities. The prize rewards the student who has continued to maintain a high level of involvement throughout the academic year.
It is an annual prize which was first introduced by The University of Bath Convocation department of the Alumni Association in 1991, in recognition of the University celebrating its Silver Jubilee.
Previous winners of the Off-Campus prize include Mathieu Bewers (2008) for his work in Small Combe Residential Home working with elderly patients and Alex Nicholson-Evans (2007) for her hard work both on the committee and as an event organiser for RAG, SCA and SIFE.
Carly is a first year PhD Research student in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. She has been instrumental in supporting the Volunteer Centre with setting up the Growing Together Project in Oldfield Park.
The Growing Together project aims to recruit green-fingered local residents to use the gardens of properties, that students are renting, to grow their own food. Student volunteers encourage students living in the property to get to know the residents using the garden and even participate in the scheme themselves.
Carly has been instrumental in driving this scheme forward volunteering at least two days per week over the last few months. Carly has spent a lot of time and energy and has shown much dedication and enthusiasm for the project. She is currently working in a garden with a resident, clearing the space ready to grow courgettes and onions.
The commitment shown through Carly’s volunteering has been impressive as she has been leading on this project, often on her own. She is always coming up with ways to develop and sustain this innovative scheme.
