24 February 2010 - Students taking part in a volunteering fair in Oxford this week could be in with a chance to spend a day shadowing the region’s Green Euro-MP.

The Student Volunteering Fair is being held in Oxford Town Hall to coincide with the national Student Volunteering Week (22-28 February) – and Caroline Lucas MEP is offering students the chance to work-shadow her in return for volunteering hours in the local community.

Caroline, who is also Green Party leader, praised the efforts of the Oxford Hub, the focal point for charitable activity at Oxford University, in encouraging students to get more involved in local neighbourhoods through practical volunteering opportunities.

She also welcomed the Auction of Promises initiative, which involves students pledging volunteering hours in return for ‘unique experiences’ provided by the local community.

Each reward item put up for auction – including the day with Caroline – will have a minimum bid, depending on its worth, equal to no less than10 hours of volunteering. The winning students will have one term to complete their volunteering commitment and will not be able to claim their ‘experience’ until they have fulfilled it.

Speaking in support of the Student Volunteering Fair, Caroline Lucas said:

“Volunteering is a fantastic way for students to build relationships and actively contribute to social and environmental wellbeing in the local community, while also developing their own skills and enhancing their CVs.

“By spending a day shadowing my work in the South East constituency, the winning student will gain a unique insight into what goes on behind the scenes and what an MEP’s typical day looks like. I very much hope that offering this opportunity will help the Oxford Hub to gain a greater commitment to volunteering – for the benefit of students and of the wider community."

The Auction of Promises will be open until Wednesday 3 March.