Student unionist and third year University of Sheffield student Rachel Colley has demonstrated a real dedication to her students’ union and student activities in particular.
Rachel started out in student activities in her first year when she joined the Activities and Events Committee, this sparked her dedication and passion for helping others.
Sheffield Volunteering has benefited from Rachel’s dedication. She was elected as Communities Liaison on the Volunteering Committee in 2009, as well as being a member of the Sheffield Volunteering board.
Rachel coordinated a student led sports day for more than 100 children from three schools. Rachel was also a key volunteer through the History Society where she volunteered at a Sheffield museum to create a display on local history as well as visiting a school to teach ancient Egyptian history.
Raising and Giving (RAG) was a big part of Rachel’s involvement - she was elected as RAG Publicity Officer and more recently RAG Chair. Rachel brought to life the Street Teams scheme at Union club nights to engage hundreds of students in the RAG campaign through selling thousands of pounds worth of glow sticks. She managed to sell more than £200 of glow sticks in an hour and a half. Under her leadership RAG is set to raise £180,000 in total.
Despite already giving a huge proportion of her time to the Students’ Union Rachel was elected as a joint New Society Rep on Societies Committee. She helped 53 new societies to be established, personally calling them to offer them advice and to invite them to a society surgery.
After achieving so much for RAG and Sheffield Volunteering this year, Rachel was elected as Activities Officer 2010/11. Rachel won this campaign based on her experience, popularity, but most importantly her unrivalled passion for Activities. She is known by societies, volunteers and a huge proportion of the Union membership. She is also known, valued and respected by staff at the Union, University and by the wider community.