Opportunities
There is so much you can get involved in that it’s worth taking some time before you volunteer to make sure you are clear about what you want to gain from your volunteering.
You’ll need to think carefully about what skills you want to develop and about the amount of time you are able to commit. [See Getting Started.]|
Alternatively, why not sign up for one of our Introduction to Volunteering Workshops| to find out more about what’s involved in volunteering and how to make the most of it.
This will be really helpful in making sure you take on the right opportunity and both you and the organisation you are volunteering for get the most out of the experience.
Who can UB-inV olved with?
Vacancies posted under Current Vacancies are recruiting for specific events, fixed length projects or opportunities which are time sensitive, i.e. have a 'closing date'.
For other volunteer roles or ideas you can browse 'Where Can I Volunteer?'| which also includes information regarding Volunteering Overseas| and a number of other Useful Websites|.
Current Vacancies
National Citizen Service 2012
Following the success of last summer's pilot scheme, Bolton Lads & Girls Club are once again delivering the National Citizen Service in 2012. This year they are increasing the number of young people (aged 15 - 16 years) who will take part in the scheme and, as a result, are looking to recruit far more volunteers to help. To find out more about the scheme click here|.
Volunteer Champions
Recruiting Now!
The UB-inVolved Scheme is seeking to recruit Volunteer Champions| for the current academic year. You need to be regestered with the University's Volunteering Co-ordinator for this current year and have demonstrable experience of volunteering in the last twelve months.
Volunteer Champions help out at events such as Volunteering, Careers and Freshers' Fairs| by speaking to prospective volunteers about the benefits of volunteering during their time at University.
You will need good communication skills, a willingness to talk to people about your own experiences, able to attend at least one major event during the year, as well as being part of the Peer Support Network and able to attend at least one group meeting per semester.
In return, you will receive any training that may be necessary, and a certificate acknowledging your role at the end of the year - to be presented at the Awards Evening| in May 2012.
If you are interested in joining this select group, please contact Julia Hewitt| to arrange a meeting and informal interview.
The NSPCC School Services project requires volunteers to go into schools and help raise awareness of issues surrounding abuse amongst children including bullying, physical and mental abuse. For more details see Opportunities for Children and Young People|.
To see which areas they are currently recruiting in click here|. This is updated each month so you can check regularly.
The| Challenge
[Recruitment closed for 2011]
For further information about 'The Challenge' see Opportunities with 'Children and Young People'|
Lancashire Wildlife Trust
Current projects based at Haslam Park or Leverhulme Park require volunteers for a variety of activities on different days throughout the summer and on into the autumn.
For full details refer to their website| or see the Volunteering Bulletin Board located in Chancellor's Mall
Updated 15/08/201
Gravel Pits Action Group
Various Activities / Dates throughout August, September and October
For full details refer to their website| or see the Volunteering Bulletin Board located in Chancellor's Mall
Updated 15/08/2011
Lancashire Childrens' Rights Service
LACES - (Looking Ahead ... Careers and Employability Scheme) is part of The Children's Society|. It is looking for volunteers to support young people aged 16 - 21 who are or have been in local authority care, as they attend planned work placements. Can you spare between one or two hours per week to share your knowledge and offer guidance to a young person? The work placements usually take place Monday to Friday throughout Lancashire and help the young person to gain valuable skills and experience.
For more information please contact: Anna Richards, The Children's Society, Lancashire Children's Rights Service, 30 Ribblesdale Place, Preston, PR1 3NA
Tel: 01772 256900 / 07960 106178 Email: anna.richards@children'ssociety.org.uk|
Posted 16/02/2011
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Where Can I Volunteer?
If you know what type of organisation or project you want to volunteer with then check out the links below.
Impotant Note
Whilst it is the policy of the University's Volunteering Service not to promote specific overseas volunteering opportunities, any help or guidance we can provide will be available to students considering volunteering abroad.
Pros and Cons of Volunteering Overseas
Overseas Volunteering is an area that has seen a rapid growth over recent years, for a number of reasons. Potentially, volunteering abroad can provide opportunities to gain a more realistic understanding of a country or culture, than by being a tourist (through living and working alongside local people), present opportunities to gain practical skills, applying them to a specific project, maybe having the satisfaction of seeing the successful completion of a programme and, on a personal level, increased independence, determination and self-confidence.
The vast majority of people wishing to volunteer want to make a genuine difference in the world and it is perfectly natural that in the light of extensive news coverage of natural disasters, famine and war-torn countries, poverty stricken towns and refugee camps, many people want to do something to help. [N.B. with the exception of specialised volunteering such as fire and rescue and the like, overseas volunteering should never involve these disaster circumstances.]
As a result, more and more people see overseas volunteering as enabling them to contribute in a real and rewarding way. As well as large numbers of charities, based both in Britain and the 'host' nations organising volunteers overseas, there has been a significant number of profit-making companies set up exclusively to organise 'volunteering' trips abroad leading to the development of so called 'volun-tourism'.
There is a view that there may be a negative side to this 'industry' in that it creates a perception of the affluent west being the only ones able to sort out the issues of a 'helpless' developing world. Although many volunteers do find volunteering overseas to be rewarding and satisfying it is unfortunate that a small but significant minority do not, feeling that they have not made a real difference to others or gained anything personally from their contribution. There is even a chance that such experiences can create more harm than good either to the volunteer or the host community.
It is important therefore to ensure that volunteering overseas brings real benefit to all parties involved and is a true partnership based on respect and mutual gain.
Finding Volunteering Abroad
It is very easy to find opportunities to volunteer overseas as there appear to be adverts everywhere you look, in the newspapers, magazines and on the web. There are so many organisations offering opportunities, in fact, that many students find it all a bit overwhelming and don't know where to start.
Although there are long-term volunteering opportunities, often involving a commitment of 1 - 2 years, this is usually about introducing specific skills or resources into a community leaving them with knowledge, training or facilities they would not otherwise have. These are unlikely to be suitable places to gain skills at the commencement of your career. The vast majority of opportunities are short term and unspecialised roles. They should give you a fantastic and enjoyable experience of living and working in a different country.
What you can do overseas
There are a variety of volunteering options including:
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conservation, environment and agriculture;
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development and construction projects;
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social, health and community work.
but whatever you choose to do there are a number of things you should consider when volunteering overseas and a number of questions you should ask of the organisations before you commit.
Issues to consider
To research volunteering opportunities abroad, online databases, such as WorldWide Volunteering (WWV)| and Volunteer Abroad| are a good place to start. They allow you to specify the area of the world you are interested in, when you want to start, how long you want to stay, how much money you can contribute or raise, and the types of work or causes that interest you.
Other useful websites for volunteering overseas include
www.gapyear.com|
This is a good website full of information to help you plan your gap year.
www.ethicalvolunteering.org|
This website builds information on how to make international volunteering an ethical as well as valuable experience for both volunteers and hosts alike.
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Where to find further information on Volunteering and Volunteering Opportunities
Posters, leaflets, flyers and role descriptions for a number of charities and voluntary organisations are available from the UB-inVolved desk in Careers. A list of 'Current Vacancies' will also be displayed on Bulletin Boards and Notice Boards located in Careers, Chancellors' Mall and in various locations in each Faculty, updated regularly.
Volunteering Fairs, Freshers' Fair and Careers Fairs at the University are also sources of information, advice and help with choosing and applying for volunteering roles.
Peer Support Groups| and Volunteer Champions| are also available if you wish to talk to other students about their experiences of volunteering whilst also studying.
There are a number of useful websites that can help you search for vacancies in your area
www.prospects.ac.uk|
The UK’s official, graduate careers website. Contains extensive information on graduate job vacancies, work experience, postgraduate courses and general careers information. Use the Jobshop| link to register with Prospects to search for current volunteering opportunities and set up email alerts to keep you informed of all new vacancies as they are posted.
www.volunteering.org.uk|
Volunteering England - this website has a wealth of information on all aspects of volunteering as well as directing you to your local volunteer centre who can help you to find the right opportunity for you.
www.do-it.org.uk|
This is a national database of volunteering vacancies. You can find opportunities close to Bolton or close to any area of your choice by typing in a town or postcode. Each vacancy has a 'last up-dated' note at the bottom so it is worth checking that the information is up-to-date if you intend applying. This is usually easy to do through the organisation web-site or contact email address given.
www.timebank.org.uk|
Timebank runs a number of targeted campaigns, for example sport, the arts or the environment.