► Futher case studies
ake a look through our case studies below featuring students volunteering with the following community organisations;
L.T. is volunteering at the Age Concern Information and Advice Service
Can you tell us in your own words about the project?
The team at Information and Advice answer phone calls from older people or their friends and relatives and give them information and advice on a vwery wide range of topics. We also attend to drop-in clients and pre-arranged appointments. A large part of our job is to 'sign post' people to the organisation that could help the most. People call or come in with questions on topics such as pensions, benefits, lack of ability to pay bills, disabilities, care, retirement, housing... the list goes on. We are open five days per week from 10 am to 4 pm and are a very well used service.
Why did you decide to volunteer?
I'm volunteering for several reasons. Mostly I wanted to so something challenging where I could develop my skills and experience while at same time helping people. I wanted to do this to complement my academic degree with some very practical experience to help in getting future employment in the voluntary sector or public sector. I have also done some volunteering in the past and like how it helps you feel part of a community. I wasn't specifically looking to work with older people, but the opportunity to work in a role where I had direct client contact was very appealing to me and I do care a great deal about issues that affect older people, especially as these same issues, like poverty for instance, also affect the wieder society.
Tell us about your specific role
I volunteer one full day a week from 10 am to 4pm and on every shift I make up one half of the two person team answering the phones. The most important part of my job is to listen actively to people that call in. Some people call in with simple, straight forward issues and others are much more complex. Sometimes people call and are sad, angry or stressed about the issue they are calling about. As I said above, people call with a wide variety of questions and it is just not possible to have all the answers straight away. So I usually research the specific question using all the resources we have in the office (which is a lot) and call the client back. I then write a case record of the issue and what I do to address it. There is also a lot of support from other volunteers and paid staff. It can get very busy, so at the end of my shift I am usually tired but always satisfied.
What do you get out of volunteering?
I get a great satisfaction from feeling that I have listened to someone, treated them with respect and then been able to give them information that will help them address their issue. I have also learned immense amounts about topics affecting older people and about the organisations thathelp them. I have been able to do training on benefits and communication skills. I've also had the pleasure of meeting a lot of fantastic people in the form of the other volunteers and paid staff.
How does volunteering fit in with your student life?
I am a part-time student doing an MA and I work in part- time paid employment too. During the Mon-Fri work week, I work 3 days, volunteer one day and study one day. At first I was afraid that adding the volunteering to my schedule would be too much for me to take on, but I find I organise my time better and the rewards are without question definitely worth it for me.
Would you recomment volunteering to other students?
Yes, very much so. It is an invaluable way of learning about the world, using you compassion, participating in your community and developing skills.
Harsimer Kahlon is volunteering at the BHV:Refugee and Asylum Seekers Project (RASP)
Can you tell us in your own words about the project?
RASP is a volunteering opportunity for befriending young refugee and asylum seekers in Brighton. It is aimed not at dealing with their personal problems/ issues so much as it is aimed at helping them feel welcome in Brighton. It involved various forms of activities from cooking to making music together.
Why did you decide to volunteer?
I was looking to try something new that could get me involved in community work.
Tell us about your specific role.
I acted as a befriender- helping the befriendees feel welcome in Brighton and generall participare in activities.
What do you get out of your volunteering?
A lot! Quite a few of the befrienders were international students like myself, so it was nice to get to know new people through RASP. The befriendees were great too- again, all from abroad so I think for someone like me it was a very easy community to fit into. Some of the most memorable moments included learning how to beat-box and making natural face masks for women's day!
How does volunteering fit in with your student life?
Very easily- it's only once every fortnight (barring the occasional worshop) so it was great to look forward to!
Why would you recommend volunteering to other students?
You meet new people from all walks of life; it is a good insight into the life of young people outside the university lifestyle. It is a very comfortable atmosphere, and the co-ordinators are great.
I'm volunteering at the Brighthelm Centre Tuesday Lunch Club for the over 60's. The Club provides a 3 course meal and company for people who might otherwise be quite socially isolate.
Why did you decide to volunteer?
I'm thinking of working in a charity once I graduate and thought that this would be good experience. But otherwise I just thought it would be a nice thing to do!
What is your role as a volunteer?
Volunteers arrive at 11.30am and set up the tables, put out the flowers etc. Then you serve the food and sit and chat with the older people. It's really nice and friendly and a lot of the guests have commented on how nice it is for them to see a young face there!
Best bits
Being able to talk to people who seem quite lonely is really rewarding. They are very interested in what I'm doing at university and seem genuinly pleased to talk to me. I feel that by giving just a couple of hours of my time I can really brighten someone's day - it really doesn't take very much.
What do you get out of your volunteering?
I'm getting experience of communicating with older people - other than my Nan I haven't had much experience of this before - so it's really broadening my experiences.
What skills are you developing?
I'm developing communication skills and the ability to think on my feet
How does volunteering fit in with your university life?
I have hardly any contact time with my degree so it's very easy to fit this in. It's only for a couple of hours per week anyway and is very local
Why would you recommend volunteering to other students?
You get a really positive feeling from taking part and it's really enjoyable. It also looks great on your CV. My advice would be to start to volunteer as early as you can, I really wish I'd started it in my 1st or 2nd year.
I volunteered for two years for the Brunswick Older People's Project. The project provides lots of different services for older people, and I volunteered within their befriending scheme. Befriending involves visiting an older person in their own home and providing social companionship. I was matched with a lady in her nineties whom I visited every week for two years.
Why did you decide to volunteer?
I saw it as a really good opportunity to do something different and get off campus into Brighton. I wanted to help others and thought that volunteering with older people would be nice as it's an age group that I wouldn't normally have much contact with.
Volunteering Role
I would go once a week in term time to visit the lady I was matched with. She was a very friendly and welcoming person and told me lots about her past and also had lots of opinions about modern life too! I would talk about what had happened during my week at University and show her photos of my friends, family etc. She was always really appreciative of my time and when I couldn't visit due to University vacation I would phone her once a week for a chat.
What did you get out of your volunteering?
It was a really good chance to get off campus and take a break from University work. I think that University is the best time to try new things like this, as once you have a job it is more difficult to find the time. It felt really good to be doing something positive for someone else, and I felt that the lady I visited looked forward to my visits.
How did volunteering fit in with your student life?
Even though I volunteered regularly on a Wednesday afternoon, it was flexible and could be changed if I had University work to do. It was only a couple of hours every week so I could fit it in very easily.
Why would you recommend volunteering to other students?
University really is the best time to try something new like this. There is so much choice through Project V that there really is something for everyone. Until you try volunteering you don't realise how much you can get out of it.
Samantha Hart is volunteering at Cherish in Brighton (2009)
Can you tell us in your own words about the project?
Cherish, is an evening social club for learning disabled adults aged 19-23 years. They provide a range of services, including evening youth clubs, Easter and Summer holiday schemes, for children and young adults with learning disabilities who may also have a physical disability and/ or challenging behaviour.
Why did you decide to volunteer?
I started volunteering at Cherish as I had previous experience of working with learning disabled young children, but I wanted to further this experience by working with adults. Volunteering at Cherish supported my Psychology degree and also enhanced my CV. I want a career in Educational Psychology. Therefore it is important to gain as much experience with young people as possible. I felt that volunteering at Cherish would add value to my application for an Educational Psychology doctorate.
I decided to volunteer at Cherish as the staff and young people were so welcoming and friendly when I visited and I really liked the relaxed atmosphere which enabled the young people to enjoy their time there.
Tell us about your specific role.
As a playworker, I actively encourage the young people to take part in the vast amount of play and leisure activities offered to them, whilst taking their needs and aspirations into account. I try to facilitate groups discussions and encourage the service users to interact with one another as the development of social skills is extremely important. Occasionally I assist with the basic care needs of young people, including help feeding, drinking and toileting.
What do you get out of your volunteering?
Volunteering at Cherish is a really fun way to spend one evening a week. The work is so varied, particularly as the staff organise a different theme for every week, for example 'Chat Show Night', 'Detective Night' and 'Sports night at Sussex University'. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Cherish and I have gained much insight into the different disorders and disabilities affecting these young people. As Cherish is funded by Brighton and Hove City Council, I have had the opportunity to go on a variety of training courses, including Makaton (signing) for beginner course, and I was also offered paid work for their Easter Holiday Scheme.
How does volunteering fit in with your student life?
I found volunteering at Cherish to be extremely adaptable to student life as it involved only 4 hours work for one evening a week. I started volunteerinf at Cherish in my final year and I found it easy to manage. The flexibility of the Cherish staff makes it even easier to fit in volunteering with your student life, for example they were very understanding during the dissertation hand-in period and during my finals.
Why would you recommend volunteering to other students?
I would thoroughly recommend volunteering to other students as it is such a fulfilling experience. Voluntary work looks great on your CV and from my point of view you gain so much in terms of knowledge, experience and friendships.
Cherish is a youth service for young people aged 12-25 who have a learning disability. They provide fun activities for the young people and respite for parents/carers. I volunteered in the Cherish Youth Club for about one year and then got a paid position with them. My paid position is very similar to the voluntary work that I did and a lot of volunteers with Cherish end up getting paid employment.
Why did you decide to volunteer?
I'd already done some volunteering with people with disabilities and I wanted to continue with this. I also had loads of free time and wanted to do something useful so I went to see Project V!
Volunteer Role
Volunteers at Cherish help to organise activities with the kids. We often hold 'theme nights' for example French and Italian nights, fancy dress etc. We usually cook food as part of the evening, and eat all together. We also go swimming, bowliing and to the cinema.
The young people have a range of needs and activities are tailored to meet their needs. For example you could be playing board games or jigsaws with some kids whilst others are playing imaginary games.
Best Bits
The kids! They are really nice and interesting to work with. You can be having a really rubbish day and then go to Cherish and feel so much happier. It's really rewarding to see the kids progress, especially in their social interaction. Cherish provides a really vital and unique social opportunity for these young people at a really critical stage in their lives.
What did you get out of your volunteering?
I gained loads of experience for my future career. I also gained a lot of knowledge about people with disabilities. I've attended loads of training including a 3 day course on 'aspergers/autism', 'first aid', 'protection of vulnerable adults' and 'sexuality and young people'.
What skills have you developed?
I've developed a lot of confidence - at Cherish you need to be enthusiastic and not be embarrassed about getting involved in activities. For example on my first night there was a fashion night and I was asked to take my turn on the 'catwalk'! I've also developed my people skills and patience as some of the young people can be quite challenging.
How did volunteering fit in with your university life?
Volunteering was really easy to fit in. I started by doing one evening per week and then liked it so much that I decided to do two evenings. It was really good to have two nights away from the usual uni stuff and to use my time productively
Why would you recommend volunteering to other students?
For work experience - it's really useful for any job in the future and I got a paid job directly through it. Also you get to meet loads of new people and make new friends.
I'm volunteering at Care Co-ops Community Farm which is based in Stanmer Park right next to the University. Care Co-ops work with adults who have learning disabilities / mental health needs (referred to as 'members'). The farm provides a therapeutic and emplowering environment and volunteers help out with the gardening work and chat / listen to the members. The project is a real team environment!
The farm covers quite a large area and there are always lots of different projects being developed. For example we are building a new polytunnel to grow melons and aubergines.
Why did you decide to volunteer?
I wanted to do something constructive with my free time. I did psychology at A' Level and was interested in therapy work and how different activities can benefit people with learning disabilities / mental health needs. I've also done some volunteering before in schools, and felt it would be interesting to work alongside adults for a change.
What is your role as a volunteer?
I spend a lot of time talking and listening to both members and other volunteers. It's really rewarding to get to know the people who go there, and I've found that I am learning a lot as the members are very knowledgeable about organic gardening. It's a really beneficial two way thing!
Best Bits
The best bits about my volunteering are being outside, chatting to others and having a change of scene outside uni. It's really refreshing to meet people who you wouldn't normally meet and so rewarding to do something practical. At the end of my volunteering I'm always tired but in a good way, and I actually find it easier to do my university reading after a session at the farm. I find it a very satsifying experience
How does volunteering fit in with your university life?
I see it as a really good break. It's only for a few hours each week, is only 15 minutes from the university and because I enjoy it, it's so easy to fit in.
Why would you recommend volunteering to other students?
You get so much out of it, a real sense of satisfaction. It's a great way to take a break from uni work and it puts you in an advantaged positin with regards to employability. Plus there are always free doughnuts at Care Co-ops!!
I've been volunteering with Care Co-ops Community Farm for about six months and have had a really positive experience there. The Farm has a real focus on empowerment - providing opportunities for adults who have learning disabilities / mental health needs (referred to as 'members'). I have a real passion for the outdoors and the positive benefits that this can bring for everyone.
Why did you decide to volunteer?
I'm studying psychology and am interested in working in this field after I graduate. So in this way volunteering is great work experience. I also really enjoy being outdoors and so this project is a good way of combining these two interests.
Volunteer Role
There are a variety of tasks to get stuck into and every week is different. Activities include planting seeds, digging up vegetables etc. Volunteers are also there to support the members and provide the opportunity for social interaction. I've found that the members know a great deal about organic gardening and have learnt a lot from being with them. In this way everyone benefits.
What do you get out of your volunteering?
It's great experience of working with people who have learning difficulties/mental health issues. It's also a great way to de-stress and take part in positive activities.
How does volunteering fit in with your student life?
This project is nice and convenient as it's so close to the university. They are also very flexible and relaxed so if I need to skip a session for university work there is no problem.
Why would you recommend volunteering to other students?
Volunteering is a great way to feel relaxed and positive. I feel that being outdoors brings real therapeutic benefits and volunteering has fitted into this. With Care Co-ops there is the added benefit of going home with lots of free vegetables as well!
Rebecca Yates is volunteering at the Coldean Youth Project
Can you tell us in your own words about the project?
The project is an initiative set up to get young people and teenagers off the streets in the evening, to combat anti social behaviour and give thme something to do where they can feel valued and earn skills applicable to life.
Why did you decide to volunteer?
I needed leadership experience for Camp America and the youth project fitted in with the time I could commit and the type of programme I wanted to work with.
Tell us about your specific role.
I try to get the children involved in various activities whilst being aware of the need for safety and fairness. I am also involved in the planning of each session. A meeting is held each term to decide the events for the following term. I am also able to run my own events, such as a baking week.
What do you get out of your volunteering?
I get leadership and confidence when dealing with difficult children. I also thoroughly enjoy volunteering and will be able to use it on my application for medical school.
How does volunteering fit in with your student life?
I volunteer for 2 hours a week at the same time every week which allows me to plan my studies around this. It is very dependent on good organisational skills.
Why would you recommend volunteering to other students?
Volunteering is highly valued on CVs and application forms. It also gives you a good feel to know that you are benefitting others. You can gain valuable skills that you can then apply to life.
Can you tell us in your own words about the project?
The Friends Centre supports the development of learning the Enlish language amongst a community where individuals and families may not have it as a first language. The course is funded through a branch of Brighton and Hove City Council, and as a consequence the course is free for students, as is the creche service which operates for babies and infants. This is particularly useful as the students are 10 females (most of which are mothers) and 1 male.
Why did you decide to volunteer?
To use the skills I have to help others within the community. Additionally my interest in helping to teach Enlish stemmed from my desire to teach English in future.
Tell us about your specific role.
I help with course organisation and facilitate the learning of English by organising activities and tasks each week. I work alongside the class teacher, assisting with classroom learning. I often create a quiz, PowerPoint presentations, or revision notes on what they should have learnt the previous session. Very occasionally, I run the whole class, if and when the teacher is absent. My involvement helps to bring English out of the textbook and into the real world, aiming to give them confidence and belief.
What do you get out of volunteering?
I met many people who are keen to learn English, and need assistance and help with acquiring the intricacies of the English language which come to native speakers naturally. I have gained confidence, knowledge of how to teach English (which is also the medium of communication throughout the class) and satisfaction each time the students learn something new.
How does volunteering fit in with your student life?
It requires good time management and organisational skills, but is incredibly rewarding and works well alongside my studies without jeopardising the time spent engaged with my course.
Why would you recommend volunteering to other students?
For a wealth of reasons; the flexibility and wealth of volunteering options which aid the wider community in a variety of ways (which it is easy to forget about whilst wrapping up in the world of studying), and the personal, character building, interesting and fun experiences which I would not have experiences without volunteering.
Isobel Barrett volunteered in her first year at the Peacehaven Community School for a term and in her second year, Isobel volunteered at the Hove Stroke Club
Can you tell us in your own words about the project?
The Hove Stroke Club is a group for those who have suffered a stroke to come once a week to meet others who have had similar experiences. I got involved in speech therapy and physiotherapy. I also helped to give out teas and run the raffle. I spent a lot of time sitting and chatting to the members, a lot of whom are in care homes or alone. It's a good opportunity for them to meet other people.
At Peacehaven Community School I went once a week to help out in a year 9 class of low level ability. I helped with their spelling and their organisation of work.
Why did you decide to volunteer?
I decided to volunteer for various reasons. I wanted to get out of the student sphere for a bit and go and experience something new but I also did it for more selfish reasons. After university I intend to go on to do further training as a speech therapist and volunteering was the best way to get the experience needed for the course.
Tell us about your specific roles
At the Stroke Club I was mainly just a helper but had quite a lot of autonomy over the speech therapy available and used to work with a few of the members on a one to one basis once a week.
At Peacehaven I was a classroom assistand and so helped whichever pupil needed help at the time with whatever problem.
What do you get out of volunteering?
A lot. As I said, originally I started volunteering for a somewhat selfish reason but I used to love visiting both Peacehaven School and the Stroke Club once a week. It was a lot of fun chatting to people in completely different stages of life. The Stroke Club in particular was a lot of fun because my role there enabled me to help the members and it was rewarding to know that they really appreciated the help.
How does volunteering fit in with your student life?
Volunteering fits in perfectly because as a student you're not busy every days so it's easy to give up one day or even just a couple of hours to do something completely different. Sometimes students life can get a bit repetitive and so it's a good break from that.
Why would you recommend volunteering to other students?
Because it was so much fun and was really very very helpful in that it made me realise that I really did want to try to train to be a speech therapist after university. It's such a good way of just getting out of the normal student monotony. There's no better way of getting work experience because it fits in so easily into the student lifestyle.
Asuka Boyle is volunteering at The Friends Centre (Ivory Place)
Can you tell us in your own words about the project?
it is a great project! They do free and low cost literacy, numeracy and ESOL classes. I am involved with the literacy classes.
Why did you decide to volunteer?
I wanted to do something for the community. I have volunteered whil living abriad for many years and on my return wanted to keep it up. I wanted to have a volunteer role that was in the educational field as my previous job was a TEFL teacher. I decided to go for the literacy classes rather than the ESOL as I wanted to learn some new skills.
Tell us about your specific role.
My role is a classroom assistant, so I help the teacher in anyway I can. This involves one to one tuition with students who may find the work challenging or have special requirements that need addressing, such as suffering from dyslexia, as well as leading small group work. As the class consists of adults really you are just there to facilitate their learning rather than actually teaching them.
What do you get out of your volunteering?
I love it. The teacher in the classroom with me is just the lovliest person and the whole class is great. They are all quite long term learners so all get on really well and have been so welcoming to me since I started. You meet people that you wouldn't usually come across so often in your day to day life ( I hate the student "bubble" you can fall into) which really opens your eyes to how real life is for less fortunate people. I cannot recommend this volunteering opportunity enough. Maybe I got lucky with the class I am with, but I always look forward to going, have a great time with the class and come away ona real high. It's great.
On the more practical side, they also provide training, both through The Friends Centre and through other partner organisations. It's always free and really useful, and sometimes it is working towards a nationally recognised qualification. I love it that I can expand my skills while I volunteer here.
How does volunteering fit in with your student life?
No problem. I am only committed to once a week for 3 hours. Now that I have exams I haven taken a month off from it and they don't mind at all. Plus as it is educational, they have almost the same holidays as at Uni, so you can still head home for holidays and not let them down.
Why would you recommend volunteering to other students?
I didn't know how much I'd like it until I tried it. Im not a 'do gooder' type but I just love it! I've met some great new people and really you are not giving up much, yet gain so much.
Can you tell us in your own words about the project?
Hove Stroke Club was set up so that people in the Brighton and Hove area who have suffered from a stroke can get togetherevery week for a few hours and enjoy a variety of activities in a caring, laid-back environment. For many who are usually house-bound it is their only social outlet, so doing a bit of painting or having a game of cards with others in a similar situation is a welcome break. There is also a physiotherapist who takes the group through a simple work-out!
Why did you decide to volunteer?
I have been involved in volunteering projects before and wanted to carry on with something in Brighton. I think it's important to try and put something back into the community, and was particularly interested in helping stroke victims.
Tell us about your specific role
My role is pretty open. I justhel out where it's needed, doing anything from helping organise raffles in aid of The Stroke Association, making up an extra player on the cribbage table, serving food at the Christmas party ot just being a friend for someone to talk to.
What do you get out of volunteering?
There are so many great things about my volunteer work. I know for many stroke sufferers their time with the group is the highlight of their week, and it is an amazing feeling knowing that you can help make a difference to people's lives by doing such simple things as giving them a scrabble partner and a cup of tea! It helps put the stress of Uni work into perspective and I have met so many interesting people during my time with the group.
How does volunteering fit in with your student life?
Easily. The group meets for 2 hours on a Friday afternoon and when I luckily don't have any classes, and they are completely understanding if an unexpected deadline pops up and I need to spend Friday afternoon in the library!
Why would you recommend volunteering to other students?
Definitely. You can get so much out of volunteering. University is one of the best times to get involved with volunteering and no matter how busy people think they are, they can always benefit from giving a couple of hours to others. It is a great way to broaden your experiences and never looks bad on your CV!
Imogen Bell is volunteering at the Moulsecoomb Forest Garden and Wildlife Project
Can you tell us in your own words about the project?
It is a community allotment which has a management committee and Warren is the main person in charge. There are 3 guys who are there to help facilitate and do one to one or group woth with people that go up there. The people that go up there are primarily either volunteers like myself, adults and childrenw ith learning disabilities or kids who don't get on with school.
Why did you decide to volunteer?
I love being outside, I love working with kids and I feel strongly about the therapeutic effects of being in and getting involved in a nature environment.
Tell us about your specific role.
I go along and do whatever needs doing on the day, this varies from weeding, clearing and coppicing. I guess my role is also to interact with the people that go up there.
What do you get out of your volunteering?
A great deal! I get a huge feeling of accomplishment after getting a job done. I have met lots of new people who are all very interesting and friendly. I feel a sense of calm and normality from being there as it is down to earth and away from stress of Uni etc. I am learning lots of new skills and gaining confidence in talking to people.
How does volunteering fit in with your student life?
It is very flexible and the two work days are on my days off so I always manage to go once or twice a week and don't feel I have to go for the whole day if I have other committments. It also reminds me of the outside world and gives me a chance to connect with Brighton on a different level than just as a student.
Why would you recommend volunteering to other students?
As I said above, it reminds you that the outside world is there and gives you a chance to connect with Brighton on a different level than just as a student. You will learn new skills and meet new people, you also broaden your hoizons about what you are capable of and interested in.
I am volunteering at Moulsecoomb Primary School and the 11th Hove Brownies. At the Primary School I mostly assist in art classes of about 25 children, and at the Brownies I am a unit helper. I also help with administration and the preparing of activities.
Why did you decide to volunteer?
I wanted to help people and work with children. I was originally thinking of a career teaching adults. However I have found working with children very enjoyable and am now considering this as a career in the future.
Volunteer Role
At the primary shool I assist the children doing painting, cutting, drawing and printing. I also help in other classes like P.E. and Music, doing a variety of other activities. The teachers are grateful for the help as the classes are quite large and they often need the help.
With the Brownies I help drawing, playing games and helping to improve the children's self-confidence. Recently I assisted on a weekend trip to Blacklands Farm, where I had responsibility of the children, talking to them and helping them to learn with different situations.
What do you get out of your volunteering?
I find it enjoyable and rewarding to work with children and help others. It's also relevant to my degree so it's good work experience. I feel as well that I have gained a lot of confidence and have learnt how to work with children well, and how to deal with different problems.
How does this fit in with your student life?
My studies remain to be my priority and the volunteering is only for a few hours. Coming from my volunteering I am in a good mood and able to get on really well with my work afterwards. Also, the work I do relates very well to my degree
Why would you recommend volunteering to other students?
If the volunteering project they do is relevant to their degree then it is good work experience for them. It's very enjoyable and you have the opportunity to meet new people, and make new friends.
Noemi Reiner is volunteering at READ International
Can you tell us in your own words about the project?
We collect disused textbooks in secondary schools in the Sussex area and send them to Tanzania. We're also involved in fundraising activities to collect funds for the shipping.
Why did you decide to volunteer?
Mainly to gain valuable experience in the charity sector and carry out an activity outside university work. I was also motivated by the fact that I would make a difference and use my time to do some good.
Tell us about your specific role
I was responsible for contacting schools to organise book collections, then collecting and sorting the books in order to send the best ones to Tanzania.
What do you get out of volunteering?
I learnt to manage my time better and achieve a good balance between my studies and the volunteering. I also improved my communication skills through contacts with schools.
How does volunteering fit in with your student life?
It was sometimes stressful to do both, but ultimately I learnt to manage my study time more efficiently, which I think will be very useful in the future. In general, I liked the fact that volunteering allowed me to experience things outside the student world.
Why would you recommend volunteering to other students?
Volunteering is a fantastic way to acquire new skills and experience a new environment. It's a great feeling when you realise that you can make a difference for the community in your free time. Volunteering also allows you to meet new people and get involved in activities outside the student environment.
S.H.is volunteering with The Samaritans in Brighton (2009)
Can you tell us in your own words about the project?
The Samaritans are primarily a helpline for people experiencing distress and dispair, including thoughts of suicide. Picking up the phone, it could be anything from a lonely person needing some human contact, to someone on the brink of ending their life. As well as speaking on the phone, we reply to text messages, emails, and speak to people face-to-face with a box of tissues and a cuppa! The Samaritans is a charity run entirely by volunteers, from the fundraisers to the Director of the branch, we all play an essential role in ensuring the centre is always open so we can be taking those vital calls.
Why did you decide to volunteer?
I decided to volunteer because originally I wanted to do clinical psychology, which is an incredibly competitive field and knew I needed as much experience as I could possibly get. However, when I got there I found the job itself to be so much more important, got involved in outreach and it has actually helped to change what I want do as a career!
Tell us about your specific role
I'm a listening volunteer, which means I spend my shifts- listening, basically, through all the means outlined above. I also do a bit of outreach, mostly involving students at the University.
What do you get out of volunteering?
Volunteering with The Samaritans has changed my life immensly. I am more empathetic towards people, I am a better listener to my friends, I feel much more aware of social injustice. The best feeling is when someone comes onto the phone incredibly distressed, talks through their feelings, makes decisions and you can hear the relief in their voice at the end of the call.
How does volunteering fit in with your student life?
The Samaritans ask for a commitment of 15 hours a month, although unsocial hours usually count for two hours each. I tend to do unsocial shifts during term time and more hours during holidays. It hasn't affected my studies; if anything it's been helpful to take a few hours out once every week or two.
Why would you recommend volunteering to other students?
Yes, many times over! I have volunteered on three projects now, one during A levels and two Project V set me up with whilst as Uni. I'm graduating this year and career- wise I feel like I have a real edge over my peers without any experience, as most of the graduate jobs I am looking into ask for relevant experience. My experience here also helped me to get my support work job paid. As well as this, I've had a lot of fun, and met lots of lovely people!
Can you tell us in your own words about the project?
It is a free service, set up by a local church, mainly offering people advice and help in the areas of debt and benefits.
Why did you decide to volunteer?
I read about the position on Project V's website and I thought it sounded interesting and would provide me with a great chance to put something back into the community and also put some of my Law skills into practice.
Tell us about your specific role
The service has one solicitor that works for them, and it is my job to assist her in any way possible. This can range from typing up letters, carrying out legal research, phoning clients and sitting in interviews with clients and writing up summaries of them.
What do you get out of your volunteering?
I really enjoy it as I feel that I am helping people and making a difference and also gaining valuable work experience at the same time.
How does volunteering fit in with your student life?
I volunteer on a Wednesday afternoon, which fits in well with my student life, as I have no classes on that time. The people at St.Luke's are very understanding as wehn I recently had a lot of deadlines they let me have some time off.
Why would you recommend volunteering to other students?
It is a great opportunity to try something different and see whether it is something you would be interested in pursuing further. It also helps you to gain valuable work experience, meet people in the community and feel like you are being useful!
Volunteer at Survivors Network (2007)
I'm volunteering at Survivors Network. This is a charity that offers support to women who were sexually abused in childhood and are now facing the long term consequences.
Why did you decide to volunteer?
I wanted to do something relevant to my degree [psychology], so something related to mental health that would look good on my CV and help me with any job applications in the future. I wanted to do something different and challenging for me, and Survivors Network offered this.
Volunteer Role
I am a helpline volunteer and my role involves listening to callers to the helpline. I do not offer judgement or advice as part of my role, but just listen. I have found that through doing this role my communication skills have developed a lot.
Best bits
The best bits about my volunteering are the fact that I am developing my communication skills and also my work experience through my role. I also feel that I am giving something back to the community and I take pride in this. I have also met some great people whilst volunteering and even though the women working at the charity are older than me, we all get along really well.
How does volunteering fit in with your university life?
I find it easy to fit into my university schedule and life. It is only for a few hours a month and therefore it doesn't affect my university life at all.
Why would you recommend volunteering to other students?
It looks great on application forms for jobs, colleges etc and is a great way to get work experience and develop new skills, as I have found. By volunteering you are also giving something back to the local community while at the same time meeting some great people.
Thomas Kurka is volunteering for the NHS - Sussex Eye Hospital in Brighton (2009)
One day I walked into the Project V Office in Falmer House to find out about volunteering. Immediately I was surrounded by many volunteering opportunities and decided to stick to medically related following my studies and personal interest. My experience with project V was fantastic, people are always helpful, they know what and when and how and no problem is left unsolved. From there, with all the information, I sent an application form to NHS and shortly started volunteering.
Why did you decide to volunteer?
As a student we have millions of different opportunities to spend our free time and enjoy ourselves but also help the community. It was appealing to me many times to come to Project V and ask what is available and what I could do. I chose to work in the medical environment because that it the area of my studies and also a job I would like to do one day. So being a volunteer for the NHS gives me a real picture of what the doctors' job is all about.
Tell us about your specific role.
I'm volunteering every Wednesday at the Sussex Eye Hospital. My day starts reasonably early (8.30 AM) by greeting all the nurses, who are absolutely adorable at the Eye Hospital, then I walk around the ward to see how many patients are to be coming to the clinic today and then I am waiting for the patients to arrive. As soon as they reach the reception and sit down in the waiting room, my role is to pick up their health notes and prepare them for the clinic they are going to. I also need to monitor the time and if we are running on schedule. If otherwise, all patients need as soon as possible. I am also doing a bit of admin work which includes copying, faxing and preparing the patients' list for the next day.
My biggest role, I would say, is to speak to the patients and make sure they know where to go, how long it is going to take to be seen by a doctor and answer any of their questions or queries. It is an important role because the volunteer can be there to substitute the role of a member of staff who can be in direct and immediate help to the patients.
What do you get out of volunteering?
A great feeling about myself... It feels really nice if you can improve somebody's day and make it smoother and easier. Patients coming to the hospital can be sometimes very anxious about the procedure which would be carried on and generally of being at the hopsital and need people around them to ensure that their visit will be smooth, prompt and that they do not leave with any unanswered questions. And my role is to ensure that at least one of these things will be done by me and that makes a difference to them and to me as well.
How does volunteering fit in with your student life?
I'm volunteering every Wednesday for 4 hours in the morning which was agreed upon my university timetable. Yvonne Marlow, who is the volunteering manager at the NHS, is always very helpful when I need to change or adjust my working hours. Generally, the volunteers at NHS can work between Monday to Friday during any day hours and work can be adjusted to university timetables... that is how my experience has been so far.
Why would you recommend volunteering to other students?
Volunteering is definitely a priceless experience. You become a member of a professional environment, work along nice people, you can observe a job which you'd liek to do in future, you can make a huge difference with minimal effort, you can see a smile on people's faces every day, you can learn how to make a decision and how to prioritise. And one day, you will write it down on your CV as a valuable work experience.
Jamie Franklin, Volunteer with 15th Brighton Scouts (2008)
I'm volunteering at the 15th Brighton Scouts which is a very small group of around 6-7 kids. The group is so small because they don't currently have enough volunteers to involve more children. It's a very friendly group, and I had a really warm welcome when I started.
Why did you decide to volunteer?
I needed to get experience for some overseas volunteering that I'm doing over the summer (volunteering in an orphanage in Nepal). Volunteering gives me the opportunity to develop a range of transferable skills including designing activities for children
What is your role as a volunteer?
My role is 'pack assistant'. It involves helping to organise activities and making sure that the children are safe when taking part. It also involves helping to keep the children in control as they get very excited!
What kind of activities do you do?
The activities are really varied. For example we played ball games at the last session and then looked through old slides of Brighton from 20 years ago. The children recognised much more than I did! It made me really feel part of the Brighton community rather than just the student community which can feel a bit detached. I've also been encouraged to come up with my own ideas for activities which will be a great way to gain new skills.
What do you get out of your volunteering?
Enjoyment. It's really great to interact with people that you wouldn't normally meet. Initially I was quite nervous as I don't have much experience of working with children, but I had such a warm welcome at the placement.
How does volunteering fit in with yours student life?
My studies will always come first, but the volunteering is only for one evening per week so I can easily fit it in. I see my volunteering as quite separate to my student life. It's really nice to get out of the usual environment and meet new people.
Why would you recommend volunteering to other students?
It's great for employability and to feel more part of the Brighton and Hove community. It's also really enjoyable to spend time with people from different ages and backgrounds.
Sian Hayes, Volunteer with Brighthelm Tuesday Lunch Club (2008)
Emma Farrow, Volunteer with Brunswick Older People's Project (2006)
Katrina Marsden, Volunteer (and now paid worker) at Cherish Youth Club (2007)
Alicja Nowak, volunteer with Care Co-ops Community Farm (2008)
James Chapman, Volunteer with Care Co-ops Community Farm (2007)
Leigh Tullier is volunteering at the Friends Centre in Brighton (2009)
Elizabeth Marsden is volunteering at the Hove Stroke Club
Gamze Adali, Volunteer with Moulsecoomb Primary School and Hove Brownies (2006)
Rachel Stark is volunteering at the St.Lukes Advice Service
CONTACT US
e: reception@ussu.sussex.ac.uk
t: 01273 678152
Falmer House
University of Sussex
Falmer
East Sussex
BN1 9QF
Feedback
e: reception@ussu.sussex.ac.uk
t: 01273 678152
Falmer House
University of Sussex
Falmer
East Sussex
BN1 9QF
Feedback
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