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Volunteering > Volunteer for the Students' Union > Sussex Switch-Off’ Halls Champion  

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► Sussex Switch-Off’ Halls Champion

Sussex Switch-Off is a Students’ Union run inter-halls energy-saving competition which aims to reduce the carbon footprint of students living in Halls of Residence, and to raise awareness of the importance of saving energy. At the end of the year the students in the halls with the biggest reduction in energy will win a big celebratory party just for them!

Halls Champions promote the competition and help students reduce their energy usage by distributing information and advice.

Switch-off team

About the role

The purpose of the role is to actively promote the competition, encourage students to take part, and help them to understand how best they can reduce their energy usage in halls by distributing information and advice. You will also help promote on-going promotional challenges and events, to build enthusiasm about the competition throughout the year.

Time commitment

This role is flexible, roughly 1-3 hours per week plus 1:1 meetings once a month with the Volunteer Coordinator.

Main tasks and responsibilities

  • Switch-off computerTo promote the ‘Sussex Switch Off’ competition by using a variety of techniques, such as online social media (facebook, twitter, email etc), door-knocking, chatting with people at promotional stalls and events, and generally spreading the word among your peers.
  • To increase the number of students receiving the Sussex Switch-off email updates.
  • To encourage one person from each flat to sign up as a ‘flat champion’ to promote energy-saving among their flat-mates, and to act as main point of contact between you and their flat.
  • To distribute information and advice to ensure that students understand the importance of cutting their carbon footprint by reducing their energy usage, and how best they can do this in halls of residence.
  • To help publicise and increase participation in on-going promotional competitions and events throughout the year, and to provide ideas and feedback for competition ideas, prizes and entertaining events which would engage students in your halls.
  • To help develop creative new ideas for promoting the scheme and building enthusiasm among students, and to relay information about what elements of the scheme are working well (or not working well).
  • Switch-off kettleTo relay information to halls residents about your position in the ‘Switch-off league tables’, and to encourage light-hearted and good-natured competitiveness between the halls.
  • To lead by example in reducing your own energy-consumption in halls, and to act as a point of contact for people interested in finding out more about energy-saving and carbon footprint reduction.
  • To attend any champion volunteer meetings and socials, to feedback your experience and receive any support or advice you may need to get the most out of your role.

Skills gained

  • Campaign-building skills
  • Learn more about saving energy and cutting carbon
  • People skills
  • Build confidence in approaching new people

Benefits of this role

  • Receive a full professional reference & certificate
  • Meet lots of new people in your halls
  • Gain valuable experience for future employment

Switch-off light bulbThis role would suit you if you are

  • Passionate about environmental issues and reducing carbon emissions
  • Sociable and communicate well
  • Motivated and able to use their own initiative

More information & how to apply 

For more information on Sussex Switch-off please visit www.sussexstudent.com/switchoff

To apply for this role, please email Becca Melhuish, Students’ Union Operations Officer - operations@ussu.sussex.ac.uk and include a paragraph explaining why you would like to become a Halls Champion volunteer.