From left to right: Students Lavanya Nese, Sharon Emolot, Gabby Dela Pena, and Navina DeLight paint the walls at Creativity Works Preston in Lancashire, U.K.
Students who participated in AUC’s Community Action Day at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) were recently honored for their volunteer work in the city of Preston.
Organized by the UCLan Centre for Volunteering and Leadership, the annual Volunteering and Community Leadership Awards highlighted the efforts of those who donate their time to make a difference in the communities across Lancashire. The event included a special recognition of AUC students’ contributions since relocating to the U.K. after Hurricane Irma's impact on Sint Maarten last September.
In addition to taking part in Community Action Day—an AUC tradition that enables students to give back to the communities around them—many students based in the U.K. have pursued longer-term volunteering projects since arriving in Preston.
Fifth-semester student Lavanya Nese, who attended the awards ceremony, has been volunteering at local nonprofit Creativity Works Preston for the past two semesters. Creativity Works Preston (CWP) is a multidisciplinary center working in partnership with Preston’s College and local schools to offer vocational learning opportunities for young people. Over a period of several weeks, Lavanya worked with several classmates to paint the walls and design a mural for the Creativity Works boxing gym.
“Just by painting the building, volunteers have the ability to help give the participants a better environment during their journey,” Lavanya said. “I’m grateful to have worked with Creativity Works these past two semesters and to give back to the city that gave AUC students an opportunity to continue our studies after Hurricane Irma.”
