The SVN National Committee is democratically elected.
SVN National Committee
SVN’s National Committee consists of two to three chairs and several teams with different portfolios. The structure of the Committee shifts from year to year as priorities and context within the Higher Education sector change. Below are the members of the current National Committee, along with their roles.
To express your interest in joining the National Committee, email us and we’ll be in touch with next steps.
Maya Patel – Oxford Brookes University
Maya Patel – Co-Chair
Maya joined the SVN commitee in 2024 in the Engagement Team. Last year she was voted in as the Co-Chair of the committee and enjoys continuing to working with universities across the UK. She has 7 years of experience as a Volunteer Coordinator for a mental health charity and now is the Volunteer Coordinator at Oxford Brookes University. In her spare time she enjoys travelling when she can and volunteering at fundraising events.
Clara Boeker – Edinburgh University Students’ Association
Clara Boeker – Co-Chair
Clara is a Co-Chair of the SVN committee and is also a member of the Engagement team. She is the Community Volunteering Development Coordinator at the Edinburgh University Students’ Association.
She is passionate about providing students with meaningful volunteering opportunities in the community, increasing a sense of belonging amongst students, as well as supporting local and national causes.
Clara is a committed third sector professional with a strong focus on community engagement and volunteer management. In her spare time, Clara loves spending time with her cat, sewing machine, roller skates and sailing boat.
Samantha Lawrence – Birmingham City University
Samantha Lawrence – Research and Impact Team
Sam is the Volunteering Officer at Birmingham City University and is on the Research and Impact team for the Student Volunteering Network. Sam is also part of the Birmingham Volunteer Network and the Vision for Volunteering Strategic Group. In her free time Sam likes travelling and volunteers for Crohn’s and Colitis UK.
Alicia Hallatt- University of the West of England
Alicia Hallatt- Events and Engagement Team
Alicia joined the SVN in 2026. She has experience working in the charity, public and private sectors, and has a particular interest in the environment and sustainability. As a former Mature Student, she would like to do more to ensure Mature Students feel that student volunteering is relevant, inclusive and welcoming to them.
Outside of work, Alicia loves hugs with her 2 rescue guinea thera-pigs, volunteering for animal welfare and environmental charities, and going to gym classes.
Georgia Bate – University of the West of England
Georgia Bate – Research and Impact Team
Georgia works at University of the West of England as their Civic and Community Engagement Coordinator. She is passionate about civic participation, community wellbeing and socially engaged arts.
She has worked for over 10 years in the charity and public sector – mostly in Bristol where she grew up.
Phoebe Neville-Evans – University of Bristol
Phoebe Neville-Evans – Events and Engagement Team
Phe works at the University of Bristol Student’s Union as their Volunteer and Skills Coordinator. Their work involves connecting people across the city to make good things happen.
They’ve volunteered and worked in the third sector for over 10 years, predominantly with environmental charities, and love to create community wherever they go.
Student Volunteering Network 