A short summary of your project

Every year since it was established in 2016 the Stand Up for Social Work Society has supported the Churches Trust Food bank Pantry Project. We commence our fundraising  in week six of semester one and complete our Hamper Handover in the Great Hall in Magee in week twelve singing Christmas carols. The staff and students at the Magee campus and throughout the Ulster University family have always demonstrated amazing generosity to this worthy cause. Social work is a Human Rights and Social Justice profession and it is essential that students actively challenge poverty and austerity  impacting on our local communities and beyond. This year the global pandemic means we can not come together as we have in previous years to purchase food, and build hampers. We still want to make a difference for people experiencing food poverty and your donations will make that difference!

Who are you?

In 2016 we established Ulster’s first Stand Up for Social Work Society. Adopting co-creation and co- production strategies we have made a significant impact demonstrating our commitment to civic engagement. This is achieved by adopting an organic approach with students to establish local charitable campaigns within the community.  The Stand Up for Social Work Society is committed to supporting community engagement projects and building positive, sustainable relationships with local communities and charities. The students have enhanced their student experience at Ulster by building a collective community and raising the profile of social work at Ulster. In its inaugural year, the Stand Up for Social Work Society recruited 180 members making it the one of the largest societies at Ulster. The Society has contributed significantly to developing the staff-student community within social work at Ulster.

Your story

The Society provides students with opportunities to get involved in their local communities and apply their social work skills and knowledge to tackling real issues. This form of collective activism contributes to establishing the students’ sense of professional identity as social workers and locates social work at Ulster University in the heart of local communities. The Society has received significant publicity from the Northern Ireland Social Care Council. 

Hunger and poverty are impacting significantly on individuals and families, the ongoing Pandemic has heightened the pressures for local families. No one should have to go hungry. This food bank appeal makes a huge difference to families in the North West who are experiencing food poverty. Every penny raised is used to purchase food for individuals and families who need help.

Everyone has been affected by the Coronavirus, how we live, interact, educate and work. We want to try and raise funds this year to support local families in need, Christmas brings added pressures and if we can alleviate some of that pressure then we must try to do so. We know our actions will not end food poverty and austerity although we know that raising awareness and lobbying are key to ensuring this issue stays on the agenda of our politicians and policy makers. 

• Why should it be important to a donor? What impact will they have by giving money?

Where will the money go?

As a UUSU Society we have no overheads so every penny we raise through this fundraising appeal will go directly to buying food for families.

Rewards

We will give you a shout out on our Twitter and Facebook feeds for your donation. 

Find us here

@STANDUPFORSW

Help us succeed!

• You don't need to give us money to help us succeed please share our appeal widely with your contacts and networks, the wider the audience we reach, the better chance we have of reaching our target and helping families.