Student Volunteering Week is a national week, led by the Student Volunteering Network, that takes place across the UK. Universities and schools across the country step up to take part in the week, organising opportunities or events to encourage their students to volunteer and help their local communities.
Volunteering is a great way to give something back and to make a positive difference within your local community, but there are also so many benefits for the individual too.
The benefits for students reach far further than can be expected, for example volunteering not only gives them credible experience for their CV and references for jobs, but also provides future employment opportunities. Volunteering can also give access to training opportunities such as first aid, handling equipment, customer service, time management and more, all of which are helpful for their futures.
The benefits of volunteering for students
Why should students volunteer?
Volunteering experience can be used on university or UCAS applications. It demonstrates commitment, proactivity, and kindness. It also shows that you are dependable and enthusiastic, which are all skills employers look for.
Volunteering can give you the opportunity to work with other people who are already successful in their own careers. This is a great opportunity to have a mentor, find references for your CV, or even make connections for employment when you graduate from university or leave school.
Volunteering can help you to gain experience in your chosen career, or sample a potential new one. For instance, if applying for a degree in medicine could consider volunteering in a hospital/care home setting.
Students who volunteer are normally offered some training as part of their role – for example; interacting with others, CPR, health and safety, first aid certifications and specific equipment training.
Where can students volunteer?
Students can volunteer almost anywhere (depending on age). The options for volunteering are plentiful, and there is a volunteer opportunity for almost all interests or career paths. You can check out local community groups, schools, churches, or charities that you care about, but always be open to doing things you would not have considered before. The whole point of volunteering is to help people, so any path you choose will have a positive impact on someone.
Unfortunately, there are guidelines regarding age limits and volunteering. Some organisations do not have insurance coverage for the placements of students under 16 volunteering for them.
Another age limit restriction can be that certain roles require volunteers to be over 18, or in some cases over 21. This is usually determined by the nature of the volunteer role and the work you would be doing. It’s always worth checking before expressing an interest in a volunteer role.
Volunteer support for students in Oldham
Our Oldham Volunteering Team can help you find an opportunity that fits in alongside your other commitments, and is appropriately matched with your relevant skills and experiences, as well as your reasons for volunteering.
Case Study: Read Oldham College student Connie's story about her journey into volunteering.
We are happy to answer any queries you have about joining our team at Action Together. For more information, call us on 0161 339 2345 or email our team
Get involved in Oldham!
Want to know how YOU could get involved in Volunteering in Oldham? Take a look at these opportunities which are currently available, or get in touch with us via the link below:
Volunteer support for students in Rochdale
This January, our Rochdale Volunteering team have been connecting with students from across the Borough at several local schools, through the HMR Health and Care school engagement project.
Volunteer Support Officer, Asma, attended the Careers Fair at Oulder Hill Leadership Academy on behalf of our school engagement group. At our information stand Asma spoke with lots of students from Years 7 to 11 about Action Together, volunteering, and the different roles available across various sectors.
The students were really engaged and asked lots of insightful questions. They discussed how volunteering can benefit them, and how adding volunteering experience to their CV can strengthen job applications. Many of the students took information cards, and were guided them through our website, especially the volunteering page, to show the wide range of opportunities available.
Asma also attended the recent Careers Speed Networking Event at Edgar Wood Academy in participation with educational Social Enterprise, PIE, where over 40 local employers and professionals engaged with small groups of Year 9 students for 8-minute discussions about career pathways and opportunities.
Asma shared her own career journey with the students she chatted with, which really resonated with them.
"I started working towards a law degree with the aim of helping people, particularly women facing life challenges. Along the way, I worked in corporate banking while also juggling three retail jobs during university. Life took a different turn when I had my son, and due to health and personal challenges, I was out of work for a while. However, I found my way back by volunteering and eventually starting my own not-for-profit. This experience helped me develop skills, rebuild my confidence, and led me to where I am today - working in full-time, paid employment in a role I love at Action Together."
Get involved in Rochdale!
Want to know how YOU could get involved in Volunteering in Rochdale? Take a look at these opportunities which are currently available, or get in touch with us via the link below:
Volunteer support for students in Tameside
Our Volunteering Team can help you find an opportunity that fits in alongside your other commitments and is appropriately matched with your relevant skills and experiences, as well as your reasons for volunteering.
We are happy to answer any queries you have about joining our team at Action Together. For more information, call us on 0161 339 2345 or email our team.
Get involved in Tameside!
Want to know how YOU could get involved in Volunteering in Tameside? Take a look at these opportunities which are currently available, or get in touch with us via the link below: