Programmes like LifeLab run on lots of things.

At the heart of it is our shared belief in how nutrition can improve health across the life course and help young people break the cycles of unhealthy behaviour.

Along with those who are leading this pioneering research and those who deliver the teaching to the thousands of schoolchildren it will benefit, we are lucky to have an army of volunteers who are willing to share their expertise and, more importantly, their time with our project.

So as the world marks International Volunteers Day this week, we at LifeLab wanted to take the opportunity to say a huge thank you to all those who support us in making a difference to the future health of our children.

Thank you to those scientists who give their time to engage with our visiting students through our ‘Meet the Scientist’ sessions. The scientists and researchers, both from the University of Southampton and University Hospitals Southampton, share their own stories and inspiration for their work with our students in these sessions.

Many are not even talking to the students about nutrition and health, but just opening their eyes to the broader appeal of science and how it can change the world.
Teenagers sit and chat in informal, small groups and find out about the work that is being carried everyday and have the opportunity to ask whatever they like – from questions about what kind of people ‘do science’, to what scientists get up to in their jobs, to specific questions about their research.

The scientists who come to these sessions play a valuable role in inspiring the next generation to believe that they too could one day make a difference through science.

Our volunteers also take part in the Winchester Science Centre STEM Ambassador Hub programme where the work they do in public engagement is recognised in raising the profile of science, technology, engineering and maths subjects.

Through our volunteers we also build on some wonderful partnerships with our wider research family including Cancer Research UK along with the Institute for Developmental Science and the MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit based at the University of Southampton.

We also rely on volunteers to help organise and run open days and science events which helps promote and share the work we do here at LifeLab whilst at the same time engaging young people in the messages we hope will help them lead healthier lives.

Volunteers play a vital role on a daily basis in all walks of life. LifeLab is one of them and today we salute you.