Previously named ‘The Extra Mile’, Walsall College’s volunteering programme was rebranded to further promote voluntary work opportunities both within and outside the college.
The programme’s new name ‘Give and Take’ was initiated by Gail Houghton, Student Engagement Co-Ordinator at Walsall College.
Gail and Helen Griffiths, the college’s Student Engagement Officer, asked Graphic Design tutors to advertise the brand design opportunity to their students. More than 10 students volunteered their time to design a logo for the programme to a tight two-week timescale.
David Parkins, a Level 5 HND Top-Up degree in Graphic Design, met the deadline and presented a design that fitted the brief closely.
He said: “I felt I should take the volunteering opportunity, as a way of doing more in my spare time to develop my portfolio through developmental projects such as Walsall College’s volunteering rebrand.
I felt a project like this was a good way to give back to my community, whilst reaping the employability-related benefits of the experience, which is what Give and Take is all about.”
The Give and Take volunteering programme offers students the opportunity to volunteer either inside the college or with an organisation or charity. The programme aims to help students develop a wide range of skills, including team work, leadership skills, verbal and written communication, interpersonal skills, organisation skills, problem solving, and maths and English skills.
Gail Houghton said: “David has done an amazing job in producing our new logo, which perfectly represents what the programme is about: giving and taking.
Give and Take is a great opportunity for students to develop the skills employers say they are looking for. We also promote various opportunities with organisations and charities including the NHS, Acorns Hospice and One Walsall Volunteering Centre, who have delivered volunteering awareness sessions to students and attended various events we organise in college.”
Walsall College offer a wide range of courses in subjects including Business and Computing, Creative Industries, Foundation Learning; Construction, Engineering & Science; Health and Public Services and Services to People.