We held our first Thanking Volunteers Evening in April. We'll be telling you more about this wonderful ceremony later this week, but during the evening we awarded our 'Volunteer of the Year' gong to Scarlet James. We spoke to Scarlet about what it means to have won this award, and what volunteering means to her.
What does it feel like to be our Volunteer of the Year?
It feels incredibly humbling. Open SU has so many dedicated volunteers, all giving their time and energy to support students, so to be recognised in this way means a great deal to me.
For me, volunteering has never been about awards or titles – it has always been about people, belonging, and making sure students feel heard. As a distance learner, I know how easy it can be to feel isolated or unsure where you fit. Receiving Volunteer of the Year feels less like an individual achievement and more like recognition of every conversation, event, and moment spent trying to make a positive difference.
I’m proud, grateful, and honestly still a little shocked.
What have you been involved with at Open SU?
I’ve been fortunate to volunteer across several areas of Open SU. I’m a Student Senate member and Education, Childhood, Youth and Sport (ECYS) Student Representative on the Board of Studies, where I help bring student experiences and feedback into University discussions and decision-making.
Alongside this, I co-lead the Wales Club, helping organise events, face-to-face meet-ups and our virtual study room – a relaxed and welcoming space where students can study together and feel connected. From creative socials and study sessions to celebrating Welsh culture (through activities like our Welsh Word of the Week), much of our work has focused on helping students feel part of a supportive community.
I’ve also contributed to consultations and student voice work, including discussions around the Student Charter and module experiences. I've written and contributed to The Hoot, and supported students through events, conversations, and representation work.
A lot of my volunteering centres around helping students feel seen, supported, and confident enough to get involved.
What difference has volunteering made to you?
Volunteering changed my university experience completely. When I first started studying, I was quite isolated and lacked confidence. Like many distance learners, I wasn’t entirely sure where I fitted. Through volunteering, I found community and purpose.
It encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone, meet new people, and become more involved in university life in ways I never expected. But more than anything, volunteering helped me find my people.
Have you noticed any differences in your academic and personal life as a result of volunteering?
Absolutely. Academically, volunteering strengthened my confidence, communication skills, and critical thinking. Reading papers, contributing to meetings, and engaging with university discussions encouraged me to think more deeply and analytically.
Personally, the difference has been life-changing. Before finding my place within Open SU, I was not really leaving the house because of my health, and I had become disconnected from the world beyond my own walls. Studying at a distance can already feel isolating, and for a long time my world had become very small. Volunteering and getting involved with Open SU changed that.
It gave me a reason to reconnect, meet people, and step outside of my comfort zone in ways I never thought possible. Through roles within Open SU, the Wales Club and wider volunteering, I found friendships, community and a sense of belonging that I had been missing for a long time. Most importantly, it helped me rediscover confidence in myself.
The confidence and encouragement I received through these roles pushed me to believe I could take on opportunities I once would never have considered, including applying for the Student Leadership Team position of President – a role I am proud to say I will begin in August.
I can honestly say I would never have found that confidence without the support, encouragement and belief that Open SU and its volunteering community gave me.
What are the benefits students can get from volunteering?
The benefits are huge. Volunteering can help students build confidence, develop leadership and communication skills, gain valuable experience, and meet people who understand the realities of studying at a distance. It can also help students understand how university decisions are made, and how their feedback can help shape real change.
But for me, the biggest benefit is belonging. Distance learning can sometimes feel lonely. Volunteering reminds students that they are part of something bigger, and that they are not alone.
What are the challenges from volunteering, and how can these be overcome?
Volunteering is incredibly rewarding, but I think it’s important to be honest and say that it can come with challenges too.
Like many students, we are often balancing study alongside work, family life, and everything else that comes with being an adult learner. When you care deeply about a role or the people involved, it can be very easy to subconsciously give more and more time to volunteering – sometimes without even realising it. I’ve learnt that finding a healthy balance is really important.
Volunteering should enrich your university experience, not come at the expense of your wellbeing or studies. That balance looks different for everyone, and it is okay to step back, set boundaries, or remind yourself that your degree and personal wellbeing matter too.
It can also feel daunting at first, especially if meetings or university language feel unfamiliar, but nobody expects you to know everything from day one. The good thing about Open SU is that people are often welcoming and supportive, and you learn as you go.
For me, the biggest lesson has been that volunteering is not about doing everything – it is about doing what you can, in a way that works for you.
What advice would you give to anyone wanting to volunteer with Open SU?
Just give it a go. You do not need to be the loudest voice in the room or have years of experience. Some of the most impactful volunteers are simply people who care and want to make things better. Start small, ask questions, and choose something that genuinely interests you. You may be surprised where it leads.
For me, volunteering became something really special – a chance to connect with others, grow in confidence, and help create the kind of community where everyone feels they belong.
Your voice matters, and there is absolutely space for you within Open SU.
Sign up to become an Open SU volunteer