UWTSD international student volunteers create festive support network

A team of International student volunteers at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David have created a support network to ensure students staying on or near campus, can enjoy the Christmas break.

Elisha Hughes, a Fine Art graduate and Fellow at Swansea College of Art UWTSD is working closely with International staff Gruff Owen and Kath Griffiths and a team of student volunteers including 3^rd year students James Dunhill and Matthew Howells, to host weekly online coffee mornings and distribute food hampers to students during the winter holidays.

Elisha said: “As well as being a volunteer supporting International students, I also volunteer at the Blaen-y-Maes drop in centre in Swansea – an amazing not-for-profit organisation that has been supporting people for nine years without funding. The centre provides support in many different ways (free food hampers, a surplus food scheme, community pre-loved clothing shop, access to PCs etc) but since Covid 19 we have found more people across Swansea come to us for essential support. 

“We have made some hampers to give out to international students in Swansea, Carmarthen and Lampeter as they are staying in the UK rather than flying home this Christmas. 

“The university’s International staff members have been doing an incredible job, providing daily support to all of the international students. We have been hosting weekly coffee mornings to create a support network.

“We volunteer because we recognise that this support is crucial especially this year and we want to ensure our International Students feel welcome and supported in Wales.

If you are a student and would like to volunteer contact @iessuwtsd to find out more!