April 2017 NUI Galway Societies at the Forefront of Community Engagement

NUI Galway Societies celebrated their long history of charitable endeavour and civic outreach at the University’s recent Societies Awards. Almost 20 volunteering and socially active societies within the University focus solely on charity and civic engagement throughout Galway and the wider world, with over a hundred societies in NUI Galway and almost a quarter of a million Euro given in Charity last year, the contribution is immense.

Many societies create events that are focused around fundraising, outreach and civic engagement within the campus and the wider community. This engagement with charities and civic projects is heavily evident in our annual society awards. Many of the awards are inspired by and awarded to societies that are involved in working with communities outside the University.

Two of NUI Galway volunteering societies, Voluntary Services Abroad and Draíocht, both of whom will send over 70 students to Nepal and Africa this summer, have achieved Signatory Status with Comhlámh, an internationally recognised award for best practice for sending agencies, and the NUI Galway’s Societies Office was awarded with a Supporter Status. Comhámh is an organisation which supports charity and civic organisations that are involved with social justice, human rights and global development issues.

Awards presented on the night included:

• Best Outreach Award – Sláinte Society for the Teddy Bear Hospital
• Best Event – Sláinte Society for the Teddy Bear Hospital
• Best Fundraiser - Voluntary Services Abroad
• The Volunteer Award – Draíocht Society
• The Community Impact Award – Cancer Society for their Relay for Life event
• Best New Society – Paediatric Society
• Best Cultural, Academic & Social Society – Medical Society
• Best Society in the Charity Civic Field – Climate Change and food Safety (CCAFS) Society

NUI Galway Societies Officer Ríona Hughes, said: “The opportunities to engage with the wider community offer the students an opportunity to learn and grow through their experiences. From the numerous school programmes they run, to the charity fundraisers and working with their community partners the Societies fully participates in the world outside the campus.  By becoming active citizens empowered to bring about positive change both locally and internationally they have an opportunity to fully realise their potential and become truly educated.”

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