The (Universidad Europea del Atlantico) (European Atlantic University) (UNEATLANTICO), volunteer programme continues to grow thanks to the commitment and sensitivity of its students.
This year two students stand out for their work in coordinating initiatives and motivating their colleagues: Ilse Mercado, student of Advertising and Public Relations (PRP), and Alex Elvira, student of the dual degree in Advertising and Public Relations and Audiovisual Communication (CA). Both started to get involved last year and today they have become key parts of the project.
For them, the main purpose of volunteering is to connect with students regardless of their degree and offer them the opportunity to complement their academic training with experiences that encourage contact with different social realities. They believe that this program promotes values such as solidarity, empathy and social commitment, allowing participants to accompany people who may need support and discover the importance of collaborating with their environment.
Throughout the year, the university has promoted various activities: from accompanying elderly people or those in difficulty at the Padre Menni Hospital, to initiatives with the association Buscando Sonrisas, through collaborations in Racing matches or concerts in Santander where volunteers assist people with reduced mobility to enjoy the event.
They also participate in accessible projects such as the Food Bank or the Economy Kitchen, which help even those who have little time. The internal organization is simple: coordinators receive calls by mail and disseminate them through a WhatsApp group that students can easily join. This allows each person to choose when and what activities to participate in according to their availability or interests.
Both Ilse and Alex point out that this experience has enabled them to learn and develop coordination and teamwork skills. In addition, they assure that collaborating on these activities brings great personal satisfaction. They invite any interested student to join the programme, recalling that the process is very simple and that opportunities are varied.
For them, university volunteering not only benefits those who receive help, but also transforms those who provide it, allowing them to learn about new facets of themselves and strengthening the university community.