Student volunteers recognised by Cabinet Office  

09 October 2014

Mogue Lawless, a fourth year Business Management student, has been named the 123rd recipient of Prime Minister David Cameron’s Points of Light Award. Mogue was among five Queen’s students recognised by the Cabinet Office for their contribution to volunteering.

The Points of Light Award recognises outstanding individuals who are making a change in their community and inspiring others.

Mogue, who was Queen’s Student Volunteer of the Year last year, drew on his own personal experience of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) to raise awareness of mental health problems. He set up an initiative called Start Talking, which uses art to promote the importance of keeping healthy in mind and body.

He was nominated for the Points of Light Award by the Young Social Action Ambassadors, a group of individuals also selected by the Cabinet Office for their contribution to volunteering. The nationwide network will help the government, in its programme Step Up To Serve, to find exceptional examples of volunteers from communities across the UK.

Out of six Ambassadors chosen in Northern Ireland, four – Fergal McFerran from Dunloy, Paul Loughran from Belfast, David Sands from Lisburn and Ryan Clarke from Newtownabbey – are from Queen’s.

Professor David Jones, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education and Students at Queen’s, said: “This is an exceptional achievement for our student volunteers and I would like to congratulate all of those involved. These individuals are testimony to the fact that, at Queen’s, a degree is about much more than an education – it is a gateway to the world.

“Through the student experience at Queen’s there are many opportunities to get involved in volunteering and to make a very positive impact on society.”

Speaking about his award, Mogue Lawless said: “I am delighted to have been honoured by the Prime Minister with a Points of Light Award. Through the excellent support services available at Queen’s I was able to get the help I needed as I battled with my OCD throughout my studies. I am now using my experience to help others with mental illness.”

Commenting on his Ambassadorial appointment, Fergal McFerran said: “As a Young Social Action Ambassador my role is to celebrate the incredible work that volunteers in Northern Ireland are doing on a day-to-day basis to improve their communities. Quite often those who dedicate themselves to improving society here go about their business unnoticed. We want to recognise their contributions in the hope that it inspires others to participate in community action too.”

Announcing the Young Social Action Ambassadors, Charlotte Hill, Chief Executive Officer of Step Up To Serve, said: “It is great to see so many fantastic volunteers from such a wide range of organisations taking part in this vital work. This is an exciting opportunity for them to be working alongside government and Step Up To Serve which will help to inspire more people to volunteer.”

Visit http://daro.qub.ac.uk/volunteer for further information on how you can become an alumni volunteer at Queen’s or, if you are interested in student volunteering opportuinities go to http://www.qubsu.org/VolunteerSU/ for more.

 

Media inquiries to Claire O’Callaghan - c.ocallaghan@qub.ac.uk or 028 9097 3091 (Queen’s Communications Office)

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