Student Volunteering Cardiff (SVC) is a registered UK Charity. We were formed by the merging of Cardiff University Social Services (CUSS) and Student Community Action (SCA) in 2001.
Student volunteering has been an integral part of Cardiff’s student community activities since the 1960’s. 1969 saw the start of an innovative approach to social care that was to have an impact throughout the country. Students at Cardiff University became volunteers at Ely Hospital. The word ‘Hospital’ was a misnomer, as in reality it was an institution for people who had learning disabilities. The stimulation the students provided enabled the people to develop skills both social and practical and gain in confidence. This led to the volunteers setting up the first Supported House in the country.
The success of the project meant Cardiff University Social Services (CUSS) was set up as an independent charity expanding into an organisation with several supported houses in Cardiff. CUSS continued to maintain strong links with the University Union through its student volunteer project, supporting children with learning difficulties in home-life and in education. In 2002 CUSS decided to change its name for practical purposes to Innovate Trust; it was felt this recognised the innovative work of the first student volunteers, whose pioneering ethos still underpins the work of the charity.
In March 1971 Student Community Action (SCA) was formed by students of Cardiff University, as a student led charity the organisation focused its areas of work with the disadvantaged adults and children of Cardiff. This led to projects working with the homeless, the formation of several children’s after school clubs, supporting people with mental health issues and working with older people. The charity also formed strong links with local secondary schools supporting underachievers in education.
The adaptability of the students and the charity enable innovative projects to be added for the benefit of the disadvantaged people who are supported, an example of this is the expanding group of projects working within the field of mental health.
In 2001 the opportunity arose for the formation of a partnership of the Innovate Trust student volunteering project and SCA. This has led to one of the largest student volunteering organisations in the country. Supported by the University Union and Innovate Trust and funded by several organisations, the formation of Student Volunteering Cardiff (SVC) allows the vision of the original students of both organisations to be carried forward to benefit further generations of Cardiff people.
