Student praised for ‘excellent’ volunteering stint with disabled children’s charity

Kate Myers, who is currently pursuing a BA (Hons) in Primary Education with Qualified Teacher Status at the University of Chester, has a goal of becoming a primary school teacher. Alongside her studies, Kate has been recognised as a finalist for the Student Volunteer of the Year award, celebrating her dedicated voluntary work with the Heswall Disabled Children’s Holiday Fund.

The 22-year-old – who was originally drawn to the University as her mother used to study there – first became aware of the charity through a volunteer fair during her second year studying.

Kate, from Sutton Coldfield, said: “I got chatting with Vinny [Keating], the charity manager, and you could instantly tell how much the charity meant to him. After going on the camp myself, I completely understood why; it’s such a special experience.

“Supporting the children and helping them have an amazing time, especially knowing that for some it’s the only time they get a break away, was incredibly rewarding. It’s just as important for the families as it is for the children, and you really feel that. I met some brilliant people, had loads of fun, and picked up some valuable skills along the way.

“It made me realise how much I enjoy working with children with special needs and supporting their families, which is definitely something I’d love to pursue in the future.”

Vinny, in his nomination, said: “Kate has been a committed and passionate volunteer with us. She added extra effort to our project by making a contribution to our planning and training. She was particularly excellent at developing strong bonds with several girls with cognitive disabilities.

“Kate is studying to work with disabled children and volunteers with us to further her skills. She has truly been excellent with several children and spent several evenings helping to support and settle girls who have cognitive needs.

“Her ability to learn new skills such as Makaton was an integral part of our success and meant she could communicate with some of the children, earning their trust. Kate went above and beyond by committing to our South West Camp, travelling to Somerset to support our charity and work with a new team of people. She then went further still by coming to our Christmas events in Wirral.

“Kate has been an essential part of the team who supported training new volunteers through her experience, training and confidence.”

Abbie Johns, Volunteer Administrator at the University’s Volunteering Team, said: "Kate is not just an outstanding student volunteer; her dedication shines through her fantastic work with the Heswall Disabled Children’s Fund. Her warmth, reliability, and tireless commitment have made her a valued asset to the organisation and a role model within our university community.

“Being named runner-up for the University’s coveted ‘Volunteer of the Year’ award is a remarkable achievement, especially given the strong pool of nominations. It’s a testament to the impact she’s made and the respect she’s earned.

“We have no doubt that the skills and experience Kate has gained through her volunteering will continue to benefit her personally and professionally. We wish her every success in the future – she truly deserves it."

Kate added: “Once I decided I wanted to go into teaching, choosing Chester really felt like the right choice. It has a big education department, the campus is lovely, and it’s in a lovely city.

“Looking back, I’m really glad I chose the University of Chester. It has given me so many amazing opportunities, from placements abroad to meeting great people, accessing free training, and genuinely supportive Personal Academic Tutors.

“I’m excited to take everything I’ve learned here into my future career as a primary school teacher!”

For more information on studying at the University of Chester, visit: https://www.chester.ac.uk/study/course-search/