From 1-7 June, charities are celebrating Volunteers’ Week by thanking the people who give up their time to make a positive difference.
Just down the road from MAG’s headquarters in Manchester, a group of students have come together to raise awareness of the ongoing threat of landmines which affects more than 60 million people worldwide.
The MAG Society (MAGSOC), set up in 2017 at the University of Manchester, has a committee of five students who give up their time to volunteer at MAG’s office and spread the message on campus about MAG’s work.
The current MAGSOC committee are all studying International Disaster Management and Humanitarian Response, so they have a keen interest in the humanitarian work being carried out by MAG teams in landmine-contaminated countries. Olivia Harper, who chaired MAGSOC last year, believes it complemented her degree and helped her learn more about how an international charity operates.
“It’s been exciting to see how a charity works,” Olivia said. “Volunteering for a cause you feel passionate about is extremely worthwhile. It feels great to know that through my position in MAGSOC I have been promoting the work of MAG and the campaign for a landmine-free world.”
Over the past two years, MAGSOC members have volunteered their time to talk to students on campus about MAG’s life-saving landmine clearance work, including at last year’s Volunteering and Social Justice Fair where they recruited more than 60 new members to the society. MAGSOC also got involved in MAG’s annual ‘Thankathon’ in January, a day where MAG staff and volunteers write letters and make phone calls to thank everybody who has supported our work the previous year.
Heidi and Isaac, MAGSOC committee members, talking to students on campus at Manchester University about MAG’s work clearing landmines
Regular MAGSOC events on campus and around Manchester, build further support for MAG’s work. Phoebe Jamieson, MAGSOC’s Chair for 2019/20, got involved with the society as she is fascinated by the tangible results of mine clearance and the impact it has on people’s lives.
“Once cleared they cannot come back, which allows families to live a life free from the fear of landmines – it is truly making a difference,” she says. “The more people who are aware of the dangers of landmines and the devastating effects they have on communities, the bigger the difference we can make.”
MAG would like to thank all volunteers, past and present, who help us to achieve our mission of saving lives and building safer futures.
If you would like to find out more and how you can get involved, get in touch using the contact form below.
