Entering last month’s Dragons' Den style event at BedsSU’s sub2 venue, where five Bedfordshire undergraduates pitched their ideas in order to gain subsidy from the Student Experience Fund project (Steps), Anna was successful in acquiring funding for her project.

The result was the inaugural CAS Conference – held at the Luton campus – where students could reflect on their personal development achieved on the volunteer and work experience schemes they completed. They presented their findings to course peers and local organisations who receive volunteers and offer employment in children and adolescent related fields.

“The judging panel was really impressed by Anna’s idea and the amount of work she had put in to it,” said Amanda Krebs, Assistant Director of Student Experience at the University – and organiser of the event.

“The panel particularly liked the prospect of Anna bringing together the Child and Adolescent Studies students’ at the Conference, in order to share the ways in which they are enhancing their employability through volunteering.”

Opening the conference was Andrea Thorogood (pictured above), BedsSU Volunteering Manager, who outlined the benefits of volunteering to students.

Anna added: “The conference went just how I wanted it to, with a real camaraderie presenting itself between local organisations and students.

“My course mates and I all learned a lot and grew in confidence with who we are and what we have achieved.

“I look forward to seeing the progress we make in a years' time – hopefully at the next CAS Conference.”

Liesl Conradie, Senior Lecturer in Childhood and Adolescent Studies at Bedfordshire, concluded: “I am very proud of Anna for going to the effort of organising a conference to the benefit of her course colleagues.

“Work experience opportunities are something we ensure are readily available on the CAS course. These chances provide students with the cutting edge when they interview for jobs, as they will have the theory as well as the link to practice.

“The Conference has given the students’ who undertook placements with local children centres, the chance to highlight the importance of gaining ‘hands on’ experience to other CAS students.”