The Leeds for Life Citizenship Awards celebrates the significant commitment and achievements of students in the last year supporting communities all over the world. Each year the University of Leeds and Leeds University Union support more than 2,000 students to engage in voluntary work or accredited placements.

The winners from the 2010 Leeds for Life Citizenship Awards include a project in which a student ran workshops for young people with cancer in Leeds; a programme to educate young people about sex and relationships and a scheme to tidy and upkeep the Woodhouse Ridge area of Leeds.

Around 150 guests, including students, staff, representatives from voluntary, public and private sector partners including Santander, Arup, NPower, Pinsents, Groundwork and City Councillors attended a special event in the University's Great Hall on Thursday (April 29) evening.

Professor Vivien Jones, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Learning and Teaching, said: "I am enormously proud of the scale and breadth of our students' contribution to society; from supporting our local communities and applied community-based research to international volunteering activities, all of which help promote our University's shared values of community, integrity and inclusiveness.

"Volunteering and placements are a key element of our Leeds for Life scheme which helps students make the most of all aspects of their Leeds experience. Leeds for Life values both the academic and co-curricular provision for our students and supports them in taking the opportunities and developing the skills and experiences that will prepare them in the best possible way for life beyond graduation."

Nine Awards were handed out on the night - Education, Community, Environment, Health, Leeds for Life Foundation, Sport, Partnership Project, Project of the Year and the Outstanding Contribution to Society.

The winners are:

• Leeds for Life Foundation Award

Hannah Ostapjuk - Art Workshop at St James' Hospital

Hannah ran a weekly art workshop for teenagers and young adults with cancer in Leeds. She was aware that art has long been used as an aid to health and well-being and her workshops provided education, entertainment and a therapeutic outlet for the patients. This was an extremely challenging environment and Hannah worked tirelessly to maintain enthusiasm and create sessions that brought the patients together to build a supportive network. Hannah's intention was to produce a book of artwork to sell and raise funds for the Teenage Cancer Trust.

• Education Award

Katherine Hamilton - Hollybush Primary School

"Fantastic, committed and fabulous" are the words used by staff at Hollybush Primary School to describe tutor Katherine. She is looked upon as a member of staff and also volunteers over and above the requirements of her placement. Katherine has become part of the school and supports school trips, comes in early to find out what the teachers need and stays behind to provide valuable feedback. The children love having Katherine in the classroom and she has developed a great relationship with them.

• Sports Award

Crispin Fu and Niamh Stack - Outdoor Mix

Crispin and Niamh run an Action project called Outdoor Mix which takes young people referred from social services away for a weekend of adventure. These two students co-ordinate a further 30 students who work to support the project and have donated over 1,000 hours of time to it. Activities include caving, climbing, horse riding and canoeing. Many of these young people would probably never have the opportunity to experience weekends like this and the two students provide a valuable service to some of the city's most disengaged young people.

•  Health and Wellbeing awards

Alice Wood - Sexpression

Sexpression educates young people in sex and relationship issues and aims to empower young people to make informed choices about their reproductive health. Healthcare students deliver sessions to small groups, creating a relaxed environment to learn about sexual health and broach sensitive topics. Sexpression has taught over 300 school children this year and also worked with other partners including supporting World Aids Day. The group are now expanding their work and collaborating with the Terrence Higgins Trust.

• Community Award

Sara MacDermot - Bridge the Gap

Bridge the Gap is a fantastic project supported by a group of committed volunteers and led by Sara. Each week the volunteers spend time with older people in a care home. The students chat to the residents, play bingo and have quizzes. Sara has co-ordinated 14 visits this year with between 5 and 10 students attending each session giving over 100 hours of contact time. Sara has led all aspects of the project including budgeting, risk assessments and activities for the older people to enjoy and they look forward to the students visiting.

• Partnership Award

Clare Oliver and Adedoyin Jaiyesimi - School of Law Legal Advice Clinic

The legal advice clinic is a partnership between the School of Law and four law firms; Ford and Warren, Henry Hyams, Graham Stowe Bateson and McKay solicitors. Students work alongside solicitors providing free legal advice clinics for the local community. The principle aim is to provide professional and reliable support to those most in need. This year 81 people were supported by the partnership and were interviewed to discuss their legal requirements.

• Environment Award

Helena Bates representing Leeds Conservation Volunteers for Woodhouse Ridge Project

The Woodhouse Ridge is a pocket of woodland in a densely populated part of Leeds and is a popular walking route for local people. The Conservation Volunteers committee has a dedicated group of 30 volunteers who are increasing the bio-diversity of the area by planting wild flowers, building a pond and platform, clearing invasive species and planting to extend the oak woodland. They help to educate local people about conservation and gardening and successfully secured £3,000 from Green Prints to undertake the work. Volunteers have given over 800 hours of their time since November.

• Project of the Year

Green Streets

Now in its third year, this project was developed by students who were concerned about the amount of usable goods being thrown away when students left the city. The project is now a national award winning re-use scheme which collects reusable goods from Halls of Residence as well as 10,000 homes across Inner North West Leeds. 10,000 volunteer hours last year enabled 21 tonnes of goods to be diverted from landfill, sorted and then sent to different places. Many items such as duvets, sheets and pillows are sent to hostels and homeless shelters, whilst other goods are given away at free shops set up in community centres and the Union.

• Outstanding Contribution to Society

Abi Foster

Abi is a prolific volunteer with a genuine passion and commitment to supporting others. She was a mentor in local schools and then became a lead mentor using her experience to guide and support other students taking on the role. She also led and delivered a children's area at the ParkLife community event providing face painting, games and other activities for young people. Abi planned all the logistics, resources and activities for the day. Recently, Abi was a team leader for the social responsibility in action project developing the risk assessments, acquiring the resources and leading a team of students and external volunteers in cleaning up a run down estate in Leeds.

For more information about student volunteering, placements and the Leeds for Life Programme at the University of Leeds, contact: Greg Miller, Deputy Head of Access and Community Engagement on 0113 3431058 or email g.d.miller@adm.leeds.ac.uk

Notes to editors

The 2008 Research Assessment Exercise showed the University of Leeds to be the UK's eighth biggest research powerhouse. The University is one of the largest higher education institutions in the UK and a member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities. The University's vision is to secure a place among the world's top 50 by 2015.  www.leeds.ac.uk