About Us

Paul Barlow – University of Warwick

Paul Barlow – Chair

Paul is the current Chair for the UK Student Volunteering Network.  He joined the committee’s Engagement Team in 2021 after completing his first year as Volunteers Manager at the University of Warwick.  Previous to this he led student activities at Loughborough Students’ Union and in his time off snowboards, cycles and carts his kids around.

Jo Morison – University of Chester

Jo Morison – Vice Chair

Jo has been on the committee since 2021, initially joining the Projects and Events Team, and will be Vice Chair for 2023-24. Her role is to support the teams within the committee, help manage enquiries from members and will also be involved in the Events team, supporting Student Volunteering Week.

Jo works at the University of Chester as the Volunteer and Mentoring Manager, and in her spare time is either reading or walking her very active and energetic dog!

Francesca Romita – University of the West of England (UWE Bristol)

Francesca Romita – Engagement Team Lead

Francesca has very recently joined the SVN National Committee in the Engagement Team. She is passionate about knowledge sharing, volunteering and working with VCSE sector organisations. Francesca is the Civic and Community Engagement Lead at UWE Bristol and has worked for more than 15 years in the charity sector and been involved in several projects in 3 continents. She is a mum of two lively kids and enjoys spending time with them, particularly travelling. She also enjoys a nice meal and beautiful sunsets.

Reema Reddiar – University of Sunderland Students’ Union

Reema Reddiar – Communications Team Lead & Engagement Team

Reema is the Communications team lead and also a member in the Engagement team, helping SVN to stay connected to its members. She joined the UKSVN in 2022. She works for University of Sunderland SU and comes with over 8 years experience working in the charity sector and has also volunteered in many different organisations in the past in various roles.

In her spare time, she enjoys crafting and runs a letterwriting campaign to spread some happiness.

Jasmine Pledger – University of York Students’ Union

Jasmine Pledger – Communications Team

Jasmine Pledger is on the Comms team for the Student Volunteering Network, working to promote the network across the country through the website and social media channels. Professionally, she is the Student Citizenship and Employability Development Coordinator at the University of York Students’ Union, supporting student-led projects, fundraising activity and leading on the Union’s employability initiatives. In her spare time, she runs a local Rainbow group for Girlguiding UK, and enjoys cooking, DIY and has recently got into paddleboarding.

Georgia Donohue – Durham University

Georgia Donohue – Communications Team

Georgia Donohue is a member of the events team for SVN, helping support the organization around events like Student Volunteering Week.

Georgia works for Durham University and the Volunteering Team Leader, working in the Volunteering and Outreach department for 3 years.

In her spare time, Georgia either plays, coaches or volunteers at her local netball club.

Fiona Walsh – Student Hubs

Fiona Walsh – Events Team Lead

Fiona Walsh McDonnell is on the Events team which supports members to engage with national events such as Student Volunteering Week, and has been part of the Student Volunteering Network committee since 2018. Professionally she is the Partnerships and Development Director at Student Hubs, a national charity which delivers social action place-based opportunities in partnership with universities for students and communities across the UK. In her free time Fiona spends lots of time reading, writing, and exploring the Cambridgeshire countryside. 

Megan Rimmer – Durham University

Megan Rimmer – Events Team

Megan is a member of the Events and Projects Team, helping support the network with events such as Student Volunteering Week and the annual conference. Megan works for Durham University as the Volunteering Co-ordinator for colleges, academic departments and the students union. In her spare time, Megan enjoys travelling and playing badminton. 

Ollie Ayyildiz – University of West London

Ollie Ayyildiz – Impact Team Lead

Ollie is on the Impact and Research team, helping develop research, data and best practice resources to support SVN. He works at the University of West London as the Volunteering and Civic Engagement Manager, and in his spare time does lots of volunteering around community food justice. Ollie loves to hike, forage and be in the mountains.

Freya Thompson – City, University of London

Freya Thompson – Impact Team

Freya joined the SVN in 2023 and is part of the Research and Impact team. She recently started working for City University as the Community Volunteering Officer, after finishing her studies. At university she volunteered across a range of causes and is keen to make community volunteering more accessible for all.

Sammy Alcock – City, University of London

Sammy Alcock – Impact Team

Sammy Alcock is on the Research and Impact team for the Student Volunteering Network, focussing on how we can share best practice and gain insight into the student volunteering picture on a national level. Sammy is the Senior Community Volunteering Officer at City, University of London and has previously worked in several student volunteering teams at other universities.