Volunteering Activities to Try Out

This week is also Student Volunteering Week, which lasts until the 13th February. As mentioned in the name, this week is all about celebrating student volunteering by focusing on three aspects:

• How student wellbeing is improved.
• How students’ employability can be developed.
• How they can have a positive impact on the community.

There are many opportunities this week and the Student Volunteering Network (SVN) is helping people to promote student volunteering. They’re encouraging people to showcase any innovative projects and events. This is also a time to share ideas, difficulties or challenges and best practices with others in the industry.

If you’d like to participate in this week, here are some volunteering activities you can try out!

Tutoring and mentoring

One activity you can try out this week is tutoring and mentoring or befriending. By volunteering to be a tutor or a mentor, you’re able to provide the necessary support to those who are in need, specifically individuals going through a hard time or in need of companionship. This can involve having a chat over a cup of coffee or helping out with shopping.

If you love teaching people, tutoring might be a good volunteering activity too. You’ll be helping pupils with the subjects they’re struggling in, which will give you good experience if you want a career in teaching.

Volunteering within the arts

If you think you’re a creative person or just love the arts, you’ll be happy to know that it’s possible to volunteer within this sector. You can volunteer within the arts in many ways such as teaching, coaching, assisting with arts and crafts or set design.

For people who dabble in music, you can volunteer as a musician where you might be working in community centres or nursing homes. However, it’s good to remember that anyone can volunteer in the arts, you don’t have to be artistic!

Office worker

Many businesses need some assistance in the office, especially during busy times. This can range from administration to reception duties, and you may need to do some work on the computer and liaise with other departments. You can find administrative volunteering jobs on sites like Indeed.

Counselling

If you think you have good listening skills and offer sound advice, you may want to consider volunteering in counselling. You can provide the necessary support to those who are experiencing a difficult time or going through something traumatic. Volunteering roles are usually available for people who are qualified in counselling or interested in support work.

Youth worker

If you’re passionate about helping young people, this is the volunteering job for you! By volunteering as a youth worker, you’ll have the opportunity to work within a sector that helps to support children and young people. You can supervise young people, be a youth club leader or help in workshops.

This is everything you need to know about Student Volunteering Week and the volunteering activities you can try out. For advice, help or for any enquiries, don’t hesitate to contact the SVN. Alternatively, you can contact our activity experts to see if there are any volunteering activities available!