Samuel Smith is
the Chair of the Board of Student Volunteering
Cardiff and a student at Cardiff University
WINNER: Young Leader
Sam, 22 years old, is the
Chair of Student Volunteering Cardiff, one of
the UK’s largest student volunteering
organisations through which Cardiff University
students give their time to develop projects
which enhance the lives of disadvantaged people.
Sam is responsible for guiding the overall development
of SVC. He has been crucial in generating enthusiasm
among the 10-strong board, 64 project co-ordinators
and 900 volunteers, as well as directing SVC
to become an organisation which attracts groups
of volunteers.
Under Sam’s chairmanship, six more projects
have been added to the 35-project portfolio,
150 new volunteers have enrolled with SVC and
it has become the first student volunteering
organisation in the UK to gain the Investing
in Volunteers Award. Student Volunteering Cardiff
has an estimated contribution to the economy
which is valued at more than £750,000.
Activities Sam oversees include
high-school reading projects, helping the homeless,
working with the mentally ill, operating after-school
clubs and providing stimulating activities for
children with learning disabilities. Sam’s
innovative ideas have led SVC to hold successful
fundraising events and he was instrumental in
establishing both the Thrive playgroup project
for children with special needs, and the Techniquest
science project for primary schools. Sam has
also led the volunteer recruitment programme
for the last two years.
Sam achieves all of this while
studying full-time for an MSc in Sustainable
Energy & Environment.
Enthusiastic, supportive and
innovative, Sam is an inspirational leader whose
passion for volunteering has contributed to
a positive, mutually-beneficial relationship
between students and the community. He is an
exceptional example of making a difference to
a community.
Tell us something your
colleagues don’t know about you?
I like making music and used to be in a band
Who
inspires you?
My Grandpa and Dad
What is your top leadership
tip?
Honesty and listening to others
