Gareth Jones
Association Deputy President and volunteer
My OU Studies
I have been an OU student since 2018 and currently study law.
My volunteer roles
Current Deputy President of the Association
Previously the Faculty Rep for Business & Law
Central Committee Representative (CCR) on the Law Board of Studies, Member of the Local Wales Volunteer Panel.
Why I volunteer
After attending the Faculty of Business and Law (FBL) conference in the Summer 2019 and seeing the passion that other reps had for the Students Association, I really wanted to get involved and contribute to the student voice and make a difference. I also wanted a way to interact with other students in a constructive manner.
How has volunteering helped me?
Prior to being an OU student, I went for a period of poor mental health which seriously affected my confidence. Being a volunteer has helped bring my confidence back to a level I previously enjoyed, as well as improve other skills like communication, all whilst meeting new friends and keeping my mental health in check.
What a 'typical' day in my volunteer roles looks like
Depending on the time of year, a typical day will normally involve answering a few student queries and attending a couple of meetings. These meetings can involve planning for a new event, regularly arranged catch-ups, project specific meetings, governance meetings or ad-hoc meetings dealing with an issue that has come up.
Matt Porterfield
Association volunteer
My OU Studies
I have been an OU student since 2013 and study Msc in Finance.
My volunteer roles
Central Committee Representative
Previously VP Administration as part of the Student Leadership Team.
Why I volunteer
Attendance at 2018 Conference inspired me to volunteer as previously I had just worked at a Graduation Ceremony.
How has volunteering helped me?
Volunteering with the Association has given me a greater understanding of the OU and Higher Education in general. It has also provided me with a leisure occupation which I enjoy and a sense of satisfaction when I can contribute to student experience.
What a 'typical' day in my volunteer roles looks like
The first thing to do in any day is read the emails, forums and Teams postings to get up to date, then look at three separate calendars to see what I have on that day (I have other non-OU roles and they have separate calendars). Then meetings, meetings, meetings.
Patrick Johnson
Association Volunteer
My OU Studies
I have been an OU student since 2017 and study Social Sciences and Business Management
My volunteer roles
Current Deputy President of the Association
I have been a Central Committee Representative on the Access/Open Board of Studies since 2017. Recent I was appointed to the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship Board of Studies. I am a member of the Senate Reference Group. In addition to these roles, I have assisted with cataloguing OU Students Association materials at Milton Keynes and cataloguing photographs at home. I have participated on the selection group for projects. On two occasions I have acted as a Graduation Coordinator for a Degree Ceremony.
Why I volunteer
I wished to enjoy as much an experience of university life as possible. That wish has been fulfilled through my various roles. It has added to my understanding of the university and higher education.
I have a life time experience of volunteering as Secretary/Treasurer of many committees and organisations.
How has volunteering helped me?
As a mature student (80 soon) living in a retirement villlage surrounded by people of my age bracket volunteering has brought me into contact with students of a different age group. This has broadend my understanding of the modern world and exposed me to different ideas and approaches to life.
What a 'typical' day in my volunteer roles looks like
A typical day does not involve a heavy call on my time. Unless engaged on particular project it will be monitoring various forums, etc. My heaviest days would be that of a Graduation Coordinator which involves hours of planning beforehand and then a full day at the event.