Volunteer Vlad is Honoured for Giving His Time to Others
By Education Correspondent
A University of Leicester student has been recognised for his exceptional commitment to volunteering.
Psychology undergraduate, Vlad Makar, has combined his studies and a part-time job with an impressive array of voluntary and extracurricular activities.
In addition to a role as a volunteer psychologist in a care home, Vlad spent three years volunteering for the Appropriate Adult Service.
The service provides responsible adults to safeguard the rights, entitlements and welfare of young and vulnerable people going through the justice system.
Vlad, who graduates this summer, was also president of the University’s Psychology Society, a British Psychological Society student ambassador and a course representative.
His achievements outside of the lecture theatre has seen him win the 2024-25 Frank May Volunteer of the Year category of the University of Leicester Students’ Union Awards.
A testimonial from the Appropriate Adult Service summed up Vlad’s dedication to helping others.
It said: “Vlad showed a tremendous commitment to volunteering, serving as an Appropriate Adult for three years. Throughout this period, he provided essential support to vulnerable individuals in police custody, ensuring their rights were upheld and that they received fair treatment. His dedication to this role reveals his passion for helping others and having a positive impact on the justice system.
"Going above and beyond, Vlad volunteered for additional work wherever possible, training new volunteers and implementing best practices in an effort to achieve better support being provided. His proficiency at handling challenging situations with professionalism and compassion proves him to be a leader and problem-solver.
"I think his experience has also benefited him immensely in terms of personal growth, enhancing his expertise in forensic psychology and communication as well as resilience.”
Within a year of joining the British Psychological Society as a student ambassador, Vlad became a lead student ambassador for the East Midlands.
This saw him support ambassadors in the region with psychology events and volunteering. He also joined the society’s East Midlands committee and its Division of Forensic Psychology Committee.
Vlad said: “Learning new skills and showcasing my own self-development, even starting from nothing to something, is a way to proudly show I am capable of learning something new. I want my story to inspire others to seek new opportunities without fear, knowing that volunteering not only helps you to develop but also produces a positive impact on others.”
Read about the impact that other amazing University of Leicester students have been making.
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