Lancaster University Volunteering Unit (LUVU) has received both national and international press attention following our successful showcase in the House of Commons.

Staff, Students, Volunteers and myself descended upon Westminster for an event which we had long been organissing to raise the profile of our Volunteering Unit here at Lancaster.

After securing Cabinet Minister Jack Straw as our host along with local MP, Ben Wallace, we spent many a sleepless night worrying about Ministerial diaries and who would and wouldn’t turn up.

But the day arrived, the sun was shining on London and the sleepless nights paid off. The event was a roaring success attracting the attention of several cross party MPs, alumni, influential people in the charity sector and people who have championed and supported the work of our Volunteering Unit from its inception. USA Today even decided to pick up the story and feature it on their website.

The social enterprises and stories told by the pupils about their involvement with LUVU were both inspiring and carried a clear message to Government and key decision makers – further support this crucial work by Universities and Students’ Unions in working with the local community to raise aspirations and provide opportunities to those who are sometimes harder to reach than others.

For more information visit www.luvu.org.uk and see press coverage at

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/lancashire/8127273.stm

www.socialenterpriselive.com/your-news/homeless-debbie-shares-her-story-government