The Psychology Society, or PsychSoc, here in Cambridge has had an amazing first year of running their own branch of the Rucksack Project.
The Rucksack Project is a national movement that aims to make a difference to the lives of homeless individuals by donating rucksacks filled with essential items such as hats, gloves and scarves. To find out more about the movement, have a look here.
With help from generous students and individuals here at ARU and after donations from local organisations such as Let The Geek Out and Oxfam, PsychSoc has filled the Volunteering Office to breaking point with bags and bags of donations which they have then turned into rucksacks and donated to Jimmy's and Wintercomfort for the Homeless in Cambridge. Jimmy's and Wintercomfort are local charities that provide food and emergency accommodation for homeless people in Cambridge.
Above: Sam (right), an ARU student, drops off her donations to PsychSoc's Rucksack Project with the help of Hannah, the PsychSoc Treasurer. has come together to make a difference to the lives of those who may find themselves without a home this Christmas.
In total, 40 bags filled with food, scarves, gloves and warm clothing have been made up by the Psychology Society and 30 of these have already been donated to Jimmy's while the rest have been donated to Wintercomfort for the Homeless. PsychSoc originally only planned to donate 30 bags to one shelter, but after an overwhelming response from the ARU and Cambridge community, they have had to broaden their donation drop-off and are now donating to a second shelter.
On behalf of PsychSoc and the Volunteering Service here at Anglia Ruskin Students' Union, we would like to thank the students, staff and individuals who donated to the project. We never expected such a huge response and it has been amazing to see the generosity of our local community as everyone
Above: Adam, Hannah and Sarah drop off rucksacks filled with donations to Jimmy's Homeless Shelter in Cambridge.
Are you interested in setting up a volunteering project like this one? We can help! Email us here.