UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW PARTNERSHIP CONTINUES

Back in December, we were delighted to announce our partnership for 2022 with the University of Glasgow where six students signed up to take part in the Speakers and Tour Guide Programme.  

Led by Sehar Sardar, CWGC Public Engagement Co-ordinator Scotland South and West, the partnership has recently come to the end of its first year.

We were able to find out more about what the students got up to and to hear about their experiences (with some even continuing on as volunteers!).  

The idea behind this partnership with the University of Glasgow was in line with the Foundation’s aims of connecting with the younger generation.

The roles given to students were to engage with the public through the Speakers and Tour Guides programme whilst learning valuable skills for their future working lives.

In developing this short-term programme we are enabling young people to understand more about our work, which hopefully they will continue past their studies.  

We were delighted that all students fully immersed themselves in the experience which included tasks such as planning and delivering their own tours, alongside Sehar:

• Glasgow Western Necropolis and Greenock Cemetery during War Graves Week, May 2022
• Glasgow Eastern Necropolis and Cardonald Cemetery in November.

Audiences of the student tours not only included the public but were also extended to local primary schools and Army Cadet groups.  

Many students were also able to engage with local community groups through a range of in-person and online talks about the work of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), including the Glasgow and West of Scotland Family History Society.  

There was also an opportunity for some to be involved in a spot of filming for the CWGC Social Media team, where students recorded stories of the casualties that they researched.

Here is a quick clip of Dayna talking about Private A F Barrow. 

Here is what the students from the University of Glasgow had to say about their involvement with the Speakers and Tour Guides Programme:  

Ivan Sanchez Hervas 

Volunteering as a speaker with the CWGC gave me the opportunity to engage with the public in ways that my research would not allow.

I was able to hear everything from first-hand accounts of the war to the ground-breaking findings in genealogy from the families of the casualties.

Moreover, volunteering proved to be an incredibly rewarding experience as I watched visitors develop their understanding of the World Wars as they followed us through each cemetery.

The Speakers programme makes a real contribution and I feel like it goes both ways for visitors and volunteers.  

Jamie McGuire 

I have loved my time volunteering for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

It has given me the opportunity to gain research experience which I was able to further enhance by sharing this with the wider public through tours.

The stories you hear and the people you meet is once in a lifetime - getting to hear from individuals who participated in the war effort is so humbling.

Additionally, the coordinators who guide you throughout the programme are so helpful – my coordinator Sehar – made the experience so enjoyable and was always so supportive to all volunteers.

Overall, I would recommend volunteering at the Commonwealth War Grave Commission to anyone.  

Dayna Miller 

My experience volunteering for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission has been such a wonderful time and unlike anything else I have done before.

After having a passion for history and learning about both World Wars over the years, getting to put this into action and share it with the wider public has been very interesting and exciting.

I have been able to grow in my confidence in interacting and speaking with people from all ages and backgrounds as well as grow in my love for history and learning new information.  

Volunteering for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission has helped me understand and appreciate so much of the work they do on a greater level, ensuring that people are not just names on a grave - they had lives and their names and memories will live on forevermore. 

Sophia Nash 

I have had a very positive experience learning a lot about both the CWGC and sites local to me around Glasgow which I would never have explored otherwise.

I have gained practical experience in presenting to different audiences, and especially enjoyed delivering cemetery tours together with other students.

I have found researching the individual histories of wartime service fascinating and poignant. This experience has made me choose to stay on as a volunteer speaker. 

Aysha Sohail 

My experience volunteering with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission has been very positive this year! I have learned a lot about the work of the Commission and the efforts of those in World War One and Two.

I have developed my research and oral communication skills in particular – through preparation and participation in talks, both in-person and online.

Being able to bring historical stories to light for the public is enriching – both for those hearing them and yourself to improve public speaking skills.

I would recommend this experience to students looking to expand their skill set, develop their confidence and learn about the real-world impacts of history.   

Shashank Talluri  

Volunteering with CWGC was a very nice experience. Researching and presenting tours opened up an area of understanding that I would have never considered when thinking of the World Wars.

It felt really fulfilling to present to various audiences and converse with them.

Supporting the work of the CWGC definitely made the volunteer speaking experience for me! 

CWGF partnership with University of Glasgow rolls on

After the success in 2022, we are happy to say that our partnership will continue with the University of Glasgow where more students are able to get involved with our Speakers and Tour Guide programme.  

Students from the University of Edinburgh, University of Central Lancashire and the University of Winchester will also be able to take part in this programme in the upcoming year. More news to follow…