Students have signed up to work as volunteers as part of an event to encourage them to lend a hand to people in need.

More than 25 organisations and 3,000 students looking for volunteering opportunities attended Barnet Borough Council's first Community Action Fair at Middlesex University, in The Burroughs, Hendon.

During the event, over 400 students agreed to take on a role as a volunteer for various charities.

Just under one in three of the estimated 1,400 organisations active in the borough have an income of less than £5,000, employ no staff, and rely solely on volunteers.

Sophie McKay, Middlesex University Students’ Union deputy president and vice president of health & education, science & technology schools, made a pledge in her student officer manifesto to develop a volunteering programme during her time in office.

She said: “400 students signing up to be change-makers in their local community through volunteering is incredible – particularly in these tough economic times.

“This is the start of the only local university volunteering programme and I believe this will ultimately see our students turn into long-term volunteers with local charities and have a real, lasting impact on their local community.”

Sophie attributed the success of the Community Action Fair to the partnership approach, which was to addres Students can still view the full list of volunteering opportunities at www.mdxsu.com and register their interest by emailing communityaction@mdxsu.com