As the founder, I am very pleased with the continuing success of the annual Schools Science Conference supported by the science4u.info website.
I was also delighted to hear that we have attained a The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS).
QAVS is the highest achievement given to local volunteer groups across the UK to recognise the outstanding work undertaken in their local communities and is the equivalent of an MBE.
This achievement is not only in recognition of the work of science4u.info to inspire students to study science and showcase the many careers in healthcare science, but also the work and support of all the programme volunteers, the schools who attend, our collaboration with the University of Westminster and the sponsors.
Don Henderson
Founder of science4u and retired Consultant Clinical Scientist
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Press Release – science4u.info receives the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service
A group of London-based healthcare scientist volunteers running the annual science4u.info event have been honoured with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK.
science4u.info is an annual event with an accompanying website, now in its 17th year, which targets students from less advantaged backgrounds from schools across London to encourage them to study science.
science4u.info highlights scientific careers with a focus on the range of disciplines the NHS and other public and private sector organisations can offer, from Cardiac Physiologists to Microbiologists. Hosted by the University of Westminster on its science-focused campus, the event provides a fun-filled interactive educational day for pupils and teachers which is curriculum related as well as a careers and personal development session for teachers. science4u.info is run entirely by volunteers and relies on sponsorship for its activities. Beside the University of Westminster, it partners with the Royal College of Pathologists (RCPath) who runs an interactive workshop, and volunteers from across the NHS and other organisations who provide active demonstrations in their fields allowing pupils to engage in experiential learning. The pupils also get to mix with current students during their visit from a number of institutions.
This year the annual science4u.info conference could not take place due to the coronavirus crisis. However, although most of the 100 or so programme volunteers are at capacity fighting the COVID-19 pandemic across their organisations together with the Royal College of Pathologists, the organising group and volunteer scientists have been able to develop an interactive online resource that can be rolled out to students remotely. science4u.info has already launched the RCPath ‘Split Your Genes Online Workshop’. Later in June-July, they will be sending out other healthcare science modules which can also be done remotely, and there is a prize for some of the interactive elements. The online activities particularly benefit those pupils who face school closures due to the pandemic.
science4u.info is one of 230 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year. The number of nominations remains high year on year, showing that the voluntary sector is thriving and full of innovative ideas to make life better for those around them.
The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise outstanding work by volunteer groups to benefit their local communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee. Recipients are announced each year on the 2nd of June, the anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation.
Representatives of science4u.info will receive the award from Mr B Sethia and Lord Lieutenant of Greater London later this summer. Furthermore, two volunteers from science4u.info will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May 2021, along with other recipients of this year’s Award.
Dr Kimberly Gilmour and Dr Stuart Adams, Co-chairs for science4u.info, said:
“It is an honour and a pleasure to receive this prestigious award on behalf of all the organising committee, our enthusiastic volunteers, our partners, sponsors and the University of Westminster. This award is very much a recognition of all the parties involved who give their time to ensuring such a successful and worthwhile event and to the schools that support this event. We hope it will enable us to continue running this event for many years to come.”
Paul Hampson from the University of Westminster said:
“We were the first polytechnic in London and one of the first in the UK, established 180 years ago to educate the working people of London. We have become known for the many ways in which we help our students to realise their full potential, regardless of background. We are proud to host and contribute to the fantastic science4u.info event every year thus inspiring the future generation to choose sciences as their future career and so to make the world a better place for themselves and others.
“Beside all of our partners, we would also like to thank the teachers in the schools that have enabled their pupils to benefit from first-hand knowledge of discovering the many opportunities and careers that science can offer and hope that we may meet them in the future.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
For press enquiries, please contact the University of Westminster Press Office at press@westminster.ac.uk.
- science4u.info website address: http://www.science4u.info/
- science4u.info Gold and Silver sponsors: C A Redfern Charitable Foundation, Dr Ron Zeegen, Philip King Charitable Trust, Westminster Almshouses Foundation, Strand Parishes Trust.
- Lord Lieutenants represent the monarch in each of the UK’s ceremonial counties.
- This year there were 230 recipients of The Queen’s Award Voluntary Service from across the UK. More information on the recipients and the Award can be found at https://www.gov.uk/queens-award-for-voluntary-service
- Any group of two or more people that has participated in voluntary work for more than three years can be nominated for the award. Full details on how to nominate are available at https://qavs.culture.gov.uk/
- Nominations for the 2021 awards close on 25 September 2020.