A balloon launch today [Monday, February 14] marks the start of this year's Student Community Action (SCA) Week.  SCA Week is held every year to promote and celebrate the work carried out by Bristol University’s student volunteers. 

Events taking place during SCA Week include:

Monday 14 February
Greenforce for All
Greenforce is SCA’s environmental project, working with CSV Environment in south Bristol.  Each week a group of students undertake a range of environmental improvement activities ranging from path clearances on the Dundry Slopes to the redevelopment of a local community garden.

During SCA week people are invited to come to Lampton Gardens to assist in the building of a clay oven, which will provide a valuable resource for volunteers using the community garden.

Thursday 17 February 
Dinner Dance for Senior Citizens
One of the most popular events in the SCA calendar.  Over 100 Bristol senior citizens will enjoy dinner, and watch the Bristol Ballroom Dancing Society and the Bristol Union RAG Morris Society display team before taking to the floor themselves. 

Friday 18 February
Sponsored sleep-out for the homeless
A sponsored sleep-out by students from all over the South West to raise money for local projects working with the homeless, such as the Julian Trust Night Shelter.

SCA regularly sends volunteers to help out at the shelter, which provides over 100 meals each night as well as 15 beds for the homeless.

Other student-based events taking place throughout the week include a SCAndal clubnight, speed dating and a CV skills session.

Sally Earthrowl, SCA Co-ordinator, commenting on SCA Week, said: ‘As 2005 has been named the ‘Year of the Volunteer’ this a perfect opportunity for us to celebrate being one of the leading and best supported SCA’s in the country. 

‘SCA has over 800 volunteers working on over 30 community projects.  SCA volunteers give over 90,000 hours to the local community every year and SCA week gives us the chance to say thank you and well done to all of them.’