Photo Credit: Man Lei Angela
Student volunteering can take many different forms. Whether it’s on the pitch or on the stage, these projects show that there are many ways for students to get involved in volunteering. What connects them is the time, care, and commitment students give to causes they believe in often while juggling their studies and many other responsibilities.
This Student Volunteering Week, we wanted to spotlight two student-led projects whose volunteers demonstrated exceptional dedication, impact, and community spirit. Their contributions deserve recognition, and we are proud to celebrate the work they have done.
KCL Women’s Football Club: Charity Match for UK for UNHCR
This year, student volunteers from King’s and Queen Mary came together to deliver the second edition of a charity football match between the two universities. Organised collaboratively by the men’s and women’s football club committees, the mixed match used sport as a platform to raise funds and awareness for UK for UNHCR, supporting refugees and displaced people.
Led primarily by the presidents of the four football clubs involved, the project required sustained effort across planning, logistics, fundraising, and promotion. Volunteers worked closely with Charlotte Greenlees from UK for UNHCR, alongside student media and societies including KCL Radio, Roar News, and KCL Cheer, to ensure the event reached as wide an audience as possible.
The results speak for themselves. The match sold out a stadium of over 1,000 seats and raised more than £8,700, more than double the amount raised the previous year. In the weeks leading up to the event, volunteers organised bake sales and other different fundraising activities, combining creativity with consistent outreach to build momentum and engagement.
What stands out most is the scale of collective commitment. Students invested significant time into organising an event that was both logistically complex and purpose-driven, motivated by a shared belief in using sport to support a meaningful cause. Seeing the stadium full on the day, a mix of friendly rivalry and collective solidarity, captured exactly why this work mattered.
King’s Shakespeare Company: Julius Caesar
Last semester, volunteers from King’s Shakespeare Company delivered a fully student-led production of Julius Caesar, bringing together actors, creatives, technicians, and committee members across undergraduate and postgraduate cohorts.
Their interpretation placed particular emphasis on propaganda, manipulation, and tyranny, using theatre as a means of political commentary and reflection. By foregrounding these themes, the production encouraged audiences to consider the relevance of Shakespeare’s work within contemporary social and political contexts.
The scale of volunteer commitment was significant. Students dedicated 20–30 hours over an extended period to rehearsals, production planning, technical roles, and performance. The creative team took on responsibility not only for artistic direction, but also for the organisation and coordination required to bring a large-scale production to the stage. Support from other societies and the KSC committee helped ensure smooth delivery, from backstage logistics to audience access.
Beyond the performance itself, the project fostered a strong sense of community. Volunteers reflected on the pride that comes from watching a collective effort come together, built on trust, collaboration, and shared purpose. The production also played an important role in making Shakespeare more accessible, challenging perceptions of his work as distant or overly academic, and opening it up to new audiences in an engaging and contemporary way.
Moments offstage were just as meaningful as those under the lights — from cast members supporting one another in the wings to the shared celebration at the end of the final performance. These experiences highlight why student theatre matters: not only for the art produced, but for the relationships and confidence built along the way.
We are incredibly proud of the students involved in these projects and grateful for the impact they continue to make. Their work does not go unnoticed, and we are pleased to honour their contributions here.
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