About the SOUL Award
The UTS SOUL (Social Outcomes Through University Leadership) Award recognizes students who contribute to their communities through volunteering and leadership. It combines structured reflection with hands-on community engagement.
The program connects students with diverse volunteering opportunities—from digital education to environmental conservation—reinforcing commitment to community service and developing practical skills in leadership and engagement.
My SOUL Award Activities
1. SOUL O'Day Ambassador
Date: 23 July 2025 Hours: 2 hours
As a SOUL Ambassador during O'Day, I promoted the SOUL Award program to new students and shared my personal experiences from volunteering with TalkFest, Airport Welcome Desk, Code Club, and more.
What I Did:
- Promoted the SOUL Award program to new and prospective students
- Shared personal volunteering experiences to inspire sign-ups
- Ran the social impact mapping activity
- Distributed tote bags and program materials
- Encouraged students to get involved in volunteering
It was also a great chance to meet other volunteers and be part of something that welcomed students into a meaningful part of UTS life.
What I Learned:
I learnt how to communicate SOUL's values in a clear, engaging way and realised how impactful it can be to share personal stories—most students were more curious after hearing what SOUL had helped me explore. I also made new friends and got to see how strong the SOUL community is.
What I'd Do Differently:
I'd probably prepare a few quick answers to FAQs or carry a few photos from past volunteering to make conversations even more visual and relatable.
2. Pyrmont Ultimo Landcare – Urban Greening
Date: 16 April 2025 (9:00–10:30AM) Hours: 1.5 hours
I volunteered with the Pyrmont Ultimo Landcare program, which focuses on community-based environmental care and urban greening. The purpose of this initiative is to restore and maintain green spaces within the Pyrmont-Ultimo area, promoting local biodiversity, encouraging sustainability, and fostering a sense of shared responsibility for the urban environment.
What I Did:
- Community garden cleaning
- Weeding and transplanting tasks
- Collaborated with other volunteers on garden maintenance
What I Learned:
Through this experience, I learned how Landcare initiatives operate at a local level and the role they play in maintaining urban green spaces.
It was interesting to see how the Sydney Council supports these efforts—once volunteers identify and pile up garden waste, a simple photo sent to the council ensures timely pickup and cleanup. This showed me how community and council can work hand-in-hand for environmental care.
I also gained a better understanding of the effort that goes into sustaining even small green patches in a city, and how collective action can make a visible difference.
It was a simple yet impactful activity, and I enjoyed learning from it.
Overall Impact
The SOUL Award has connected me with diverse volunteering opportunities that span from digital education (Code Club) to environmental conservation (Landcare). Each experience has reinforced my commitment to community service and given me practical skills in leadership and engagement.
Program Duration: February 2025 – Present
