The end of February sees Volunteering England's annual student volunteering week.

The aim of the event is to encourage pupils at schools, colleges and universities to get involved and give volunteering a go.

This years theme was "inspiring futures; connecting communities". To embrace this message Fareham College and Solent Youth Action organised a charity collection for local groups such at Locks Heath Day Centre and Fareham and Gosport Basics Bank. Volunteers have been collecting donations all week and will be distributing them soon.

Volunteers from South Downs College also got involved in the week, assisting the community section of Portsmouth Football Club by holding local tournaments for young football fans in the city.

Five young vinvolved volunteers attended the Conservation Taster Day at Emer Bog in North Baddesly on Thursday 18th Feb 2010.

Some volunteers came from as far as Winchester, Fareham and Havant to brave the wet weather to cut down and burn birch trees to help protect the natural habitat of the bog.

We managed to survive the swamp-like conditions to make a significant contribution in the preservation of creature who make the bog their home.

On Tuesday 16th February, Portsmouth's vinvolved team honoured the achievements of the many young volunteers from the city with an Awards Evening and fundraiser gig at the Wedgewood Rooms in Southsea.

107 people passed through the doors into the venue to browse exhibitions of the voluntary work done this year including case studies, newspaper articles, magazine appearances and volunteer profiles.

Certificates were handed out to those volunteers who have achieved a vfifty, vimpact or thank you award and we heard directly from a couple of very successful young volunteers about what they’ve been involved in.

The crowd massively enjoyed local ska band, The White Coats who performed for us for free and the cupcakes which went very quickly! A massive thank you to Simon Littler who also performed for us, well done!

There was a variety of people in attendance from the young volunteers themselves and their guests, colleagues and staff of organizations who enlist the help of volunteers and other guests from the media.

On Tuesday 2nd February, volunteers from Oasis Academy Lords Hill took part in a dog walk in Five Acres, Millbrook, where they walked a dog for a family member for an hour. Despite the rain the dogs and volunteers had a great time!

On Thursday 28th January, five volunteers from Weston's Community Action Team helped the children at Weston Park Infant School's after school club make Oat Cookies.

Solent Youth Action runs activities like this throughout the year. If this sounds like something you'd like to be involved with next time, please get in touch!

It is that time of year again where we would like to thank and congratulate all volunteers aged 16-25 who have been involved in supporting local organisations, charities and community projects in the last year.

We would like to invite you to support us.

HRH Prince William:

"The awards showcase what can be achieved when young people apply their remarkable energies and determination. They also demonstrate the enormously positive contribution 16 to 25 year-olds can make to our society through volunteering."

Support for the vinspired national awards - vinspired.com

Lady Sovereign:

"v is a great cause, celebrating young people's achievements that would otherwise go unrecognised. I am very happy to show my support to those who've done something good for the community"

. Support for the vinspired national awards - vinspired.com

Solent Youth Action who run vteams across Hampshire are taking over the Wedgewood Rooms on Tuesday 16th February, running two back to back events:

vawards 2010: 18:30-20:30
Solent Youth Action will be taking over the Wedgewood Rooms to award local volunteers the certificates they've gained over the last year for all the commitment and dedication they have shown.

We have volunteers in many organisations; football coaches at Portsmouth Football Club, ward helpers and guides at Portsmouth Hospitals, classroom helpers at schools, youth workers at disability sports clubs and administrators for a host of local charities. As an organisation we also put on one-off events such as the Big Lunch and conservation clean ups. We encourage our volunteers to set up and organise many of the events we hold.

The volunteers will be presenting a showcase of their achievements and we even have performances from the White Coats and Simon Littler who are all volunteers too.

Organisation representatives from all over Portsmouth City will be attending this event so it will be a great opportunity for networking for all.

vgig 2010: 21:30-00:00
This is a fundraiser gig we need promoting. We are raising funds to run volunteering project in our local area throughout 2010.

Held at the Wedgewood Rooms we hope the local bands we have booked will attract a good little crowd for an evening of music and fun! Headlining we have KiZmiT with support acts from Lucifer's GOLD and Q2Q.

A ticket for this event is only £3 in advance and is open to all over 18 with photo ID.

vinvolved projects for February 2010 will include:

Tue 9th : A Lot at the Allotment
Once again we have some digging to do at the allotment. In preparation for sowing seeds in March, we will be adding nutrients to the soil.
Lunch will NOT be provided

Thu 11th : Conservation with BTCV
Working in Chandlers Ford, Eastleigh, we will be clearing willows in the wet meadows at Hocombe Mead, increasing the size of the meadow and allowing other wildlife to flourish. You WILL need wellies for this project!
Lunch will be provided
Only open to volunteers aged 18 and over... sorry!

Wed 17th : Lakeside Country Park
A morning project, we will be working with the BTCV on a variety of projects around this beautiful location.
Lunch will NOT be provided

Sat 27th : "Thrill" on St Giles Hill
We are returning to this great location in Winchester to clear shrubbery, cut back trees, and get stuck into any other tasks we feel would benefit the wildlife
Lunch will be provided

Solent Youth Action are taking over the Wedgewood Rooms on Tuesday 16th February, running two back to back events:

vawards 2010 (18:30-20:30)
Solent Youth Action will be taking over the Wedgewood Rooms to award local SYA volunteers the certificates they've gained over the last year for all the commitment and dedication they have shown.

The volunteers will be presenting a showcase of their achievements and we even have performances from the White Coats and Simon Littler who are all volunteers too.

vgig 2010 (21:30-00:00)
This is a fundraiser gig! We are raising funds to run volunteering projects in our local area throughout 2010.

Held at the Wedgewood Rooms we hope the local bands we have booked will attract a good little crowd for an evening of music and fun!

Headlining we have KiZmiT with support acts from Lucifer's GOLD and Q2Q.

A ticket for this event is only £3 in advance and is open to all over 18 with photo ID.