Faz Ali has been volunteering in Frenchwood and Avenham

More than 3,000 students at the University of Central Lancashire are volunteering within the local area.

Staff at the Preston-based university are also now being urged to give something back to the city with voluntary work.

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Branded as Time to Shine it allows staff members to gain an additional day of special annual leave for doing something within the community.

Volunteers from the university have been supporting disadvantaged persons in the community, running community events, contributing to arts and cultural activities or providing skills and expertise to local community centres.

Related: Take a first look at UCLan’s £200m Preston campus

Interim vice-chancellor Professor Mike Thomas said: “Over 3,000 of our students already volunteer both at home and abroad and while many of our staff are also involved I’d like to see event greater numbers putting something back and undertaking some form of voluntary work within our community.

“I am therefore very proud to announce that UCLan is now among a forward thinking group of universities to launch a scheme of this nature and provide staff with an additional day of paid special leave which can be used for volunteering, charitable work or supporting positive community causes.”

One of the staff to take part is Faz Ali, a principal IT technician.

He has been volunteering to help young people in the Avenham and Frenchwood areas of the city.

He said: “I know a lot of our students and staff already volunteer their services to the community but I’m delighted that the University is now actively encouraging all staff to get involved through the Time to Shine scheme. I would encourage them to take up the challenge.

“There are a huge range of volunteering opportunities out there which can all make a positive contribution to the local community and from my own perspective watching people grow and develop into better citizens is hugely rewarding.”

Related: UCLan lecturer to do 40 good deeds before turning 40

Do you volunteer in Preston? What do you think of the scheme? Let us know in the comments below