This week HCX caught up with Isla Davidson, this year’s President for Exeter’s newest charitable society, Student Action for Refugees (STAR).
Name: Isla Davidson
Year: 2nd Year
Course: Biosciences with a Year Abroad
Tell us a little bit about Student Action for Refugees (STAR):
STAR is a new society at Exeter that started up last year and we are one of 30 uni’s that work together to campaign, volunteer, educate and fundraise for Refugees and asylum seekers in the UK.
What made you want to get involved with STAR?:
I stumbled into it by spontaneous chance! I went to a meeting and it didn’t take long for them to get me completely into it. I realised how little I knew, how much I fell for all those classic stories and how incredible the real and truthful stories are. I also thought their volunteering options would allow me to do something substantial with my time, helping some of the 400 refugees in Exeter really woke me up to some of the things they have experienced, it’s not just a news story anymore then!
Why do you think STAR is an important society for Exeter University:
We’re generously passionate and basically want to try out whatever ways we can find to make a genuine difference. I think what makes us important to Exeter is that we want to experiment. When we take that risk to try and get people to think about what we do and it works, that’s the most rewarding experience! It makes you feel like you are doing something real. So without trying to sound overly cliché doing something real with our time to help people who, to us deserve a chance for a normal life, is all the reason you need for us being here!
What exciting things does STAR have planned this year:
At the moment we have the idea of a football/ sports volunteer group to go with our drop-in sessions and conversation classes that allows people to really integrate together. We want to get a blog going to destroy some of the standard misconceptions about refugees and power through with some campaigning projects too. We’re looking for new and different ways to get our message across, whether that’s through photography exhibitions, sleep-outs, cooking competitions, petitions and speeches or inter-university socials and music festivals. That reminds me! We are thinking of going to Cardiff for the refugee rhythms Festival and join the STAR national conference in London to meet speakers and all the other uni’s involved.
How can those that want to volunteer get involved:
Contact us! I love the mixture of ideas we are getting so far this year so tell us what you think we should do, and what you think we are doing completely wrong-we’ll take on all challenges! Basically, however we do it, if it works that’s all that matters. If you want to find out or more or want to ask us anything, email exeterstar@hotmail.com. I realise now that I might sound very keen but to be honest it doesn’t embarrass me, it’s something we all really care about and I think some of that stems from the people we meet and the difference we can feel we make!
Photo Credits: www.facebook.com