Thanking ICAS Foundation Volunteers during National Volunteers’ Week
Discover the role of volunteers in the ICAS Foundation and how you can get involved
National Volunteers’ Week runs from 1-7 June every year in the UK, providing an opportunity to celebrate and thank millions of volunteers for the massive contribution they make throughout the year.
Despite recent challenges, people from all corners of the UK have taken the time to volunteer and make a huge difference to people and their communities – just as they do every year.
Volunteers are always active at the heart of every UK community. They are behind many of the services we all rely on. Some have been volunteering online from home, others in person with a local charity or organisation. Their crucial efforts have not stopped, despite the uncertain times we find ourselves in, and will continue as an important part of the nation’s recovery.
The ICAS Foundation and volunteers
Since its inception, volunteers have played a central role in delivering the charitable aims of the ICAS Foundation, through management roles on the Board of Trustees and delivering vital mentoring assistance to students.
The volunteers on the Board of Trustees include Chartered Accountants and those involved in universities and education. Their wealth of knowledge and experience is invaluable in helping direct the focus and ambitions of the ICAS Foundation whilst ensuring the Foundation continues to provide relevant support and opportunities for academically talented students living in disadvantaged communities.
Some 100 CAs are currently volunteering as mentors to support university students on the Foundation programme. Together with the financial support provided by the Foundation, the mentoring support is a critical component in helping students develop their skills and prepare them for the workplace, encouraging them and providing a sounding board for their queries, ensuring they make the best of their time at university. Our mentoring programme has continued online throughout the pandemic, with mentors playing a vital role in supporting students as they adapt to changing educational provisions and exam arrangements, and particularly now as universities plan a wider return to face-to-face teaching.
“Attending university during the Covid-19 pandemic certainly had its challenges, and sometimes it was difficult to access support when I needed it. Having a Foundation mentor with whom I could discuss any concerns was indispensable. My mentor spent a lot of time supporting me as I applied for graduate roles, and his help with interview preparation was critical in me attaining my CA training contract.” (Ryan, University of Glasgow and ICAS Foundation graduate, currently an ICAS trainee)
How you can get involved
As a charity, the ICAS Foundation relies on the help of its volunteers, donors and supporters to continue delivering vital assistance to young people from disadvantaged communities. Thank you to everyone who continues to assist the Foundation and our work. Right now, as all charities face challenges during the pandemic and beyond, your support is even more critical in ensuring that no academically talented student misses out on the opportunity to study accounting or finance at university.
You can help ICAS Foundation students by:
- Volunteering to mentor a student in the Autumn 2022 intake at any Scottish university, Lancaster University or the University of Birmingham.
- Giving a financial donation to the ICAS Foundation to help support our bursary scheme.
- Offering a work experience or internship opportunity to an ICAS Foundation student.
The ICAS Foundation is a charity registered in Scotland SC034836.
You can find out more about the ICAS Foundation and how you can help at https://www.icasfoundation.org.uk/or contact the ICAS Foundation team at enquiries@icasfoundation.org.uk / 0131 347 0121.