Don’t just stand there, Volunteer. April 2022

Why should I Volunteer?

It shows that you’re passionate...

For many sectors, showcasing your passions on a CV can seem like overkill, but that’s not always the case. Employers are constantly on the lookout for people that will fit into their culture. And if you share similar interests with the rest of the team, it can only help to increase your chances of been offered an interview.

Including volunteer experience on your CV can demonstrate whether you’re a hard worker or a creative person, whether you’re ambitious or prefer tasks to be assigned to you. You’d be surprised about just how much it reveals to hiring managers.

Where can I find volunteer opportunities?

There is a plethora of organisations and opportunities available, which can be a bit overwhelming if you're not sure where to start, so we've done some of the groundwork for you and compiled a list of the latest opportunities that you might be interested in:

Sustainability & the Environment

• Staffordshire Wildlife Trust - Spanning the length and breadth of the county, our Survey and Research Teams are vital to us being able to better monitor our conservation management and the work we do with people.

• National Trust - Making everyone feel welcome giving short introductory talks
  Sharing with people what’s on offer at Biddulph Grange Garden. Talking to visitors and helping them discover more about Biddulph Grange through a guided tour Keeping up to date with what is going on in the garden now and in the future. Helping visitors understand why we need to take care of special places

Care In the Community

• Race for Reading Schoolreaders - We are asking volunteers to run, cycle, swim or even walk your dog and raise some sponsorship. Join in the Race for Reading between March 31st and June 19th, 2022. Everyone’s distance will be combined and together we aim to travel the 25,000 miles around the world in 80 days. You can take part as an individual or a team – even just a few miles will make a difference. And you could get a sports shirt and fabulous medals!

• NHS - As a volunteer you may, for example, assist nursing or therapy staff with specific social and recreational activities, or talk to new patients and their families on one of our wards helping them to feel more at home. Please be aware that we ask for a commitment of six months from our volunteers, so please bear this in mind when deciding whether you want to volunteer.

Digital Skills

• Caudwell Children – Various volunteer opportunities to support this amazing charity such as: Peer Mentor, Disability Energy Champions, Event and Challenge Specialist, Marketing Consultant, and many, many more….

• Social Media Officer – The Gingerbread Centre are looking for a social media savvy volunteer to help shape how they use existing social media platforms and develop our online presence. This will include Facebook and Instagram pages as well as exploring new ways to engage their followers and share our message. If this sounds like you then please email Chris for more information: Chris_Belyavin@gingerbreadcentre.co.uk 

Working With Animals

• Staffordshire Commissioner – Become a Dog Welfare Volunteer. Dog Welfare volunteers carry out visits to police dog living and working environments including training locations to ensure appropriate standards of animal health and welfare are maintained.

• Guide dogs - Become a Puppy Raiser and provide a puppy with the vital foundation for its future role as a guide dog. It's a rewarding, full-time volunteering opportunity, as you'll be raising a puppy in your home for around 12-16 months.

Online / Remote

• FamilyLine Volunteer – FamilyLine provides a range of support to adult family members via telephone, e-mail, text and webchat. They need reliable volunteers who’ve gained skills through their own personal or working life experiences. Volunteers are asked to commit to supporting adult family members for a minimum of 4 hours a week from home.

• Staffordshire Network for Mental Health (SNMH) - To create and collaborate with other team members social media posts and campaigns. This would be on all our social media sites which include Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and we would like individuals who can use TikTok. We need someone who can create images on our Canva Pro account, write excellent copy and write articles and blogs.

Please check your Students’ Union volunteer page to find more local, national, and international volunteering opportunities.

As always, don't forget to log all of your volunteering hours on your Volunteering Profile, it's quick and easy to do and relevant entries will be included in your HEAR.