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22-26 February is National Student Volunteering Week!

Volunteering while you’re a student is a great way to boost your employability and Student Volunteering Week is a great way to meet community organisations and charities face to face.

Potential employers love to see applicants who have a bit of experience and knowledge under their belts. Volunteering can also be a great way to strengthen your application to postgraduate courses and medical schools.

The good news is that Active Student – the university’s volunteering service – can connect you with loads of community and NHS organisations who are looking for student volunteers. You can gain real-world experience working with vulnerable client groups, as well as enhancing your communication, organisation and other key skills employers will be looking for.

Throughout National Student Volunteer Week (22-26 February), Active Student will be appearing at each of the five campuses, alongside local organisations who’d love to talk to you about the many benefits of volunteering.

And if you are a student in the health and social care fields, and you’re interested in volunteer opportunities, come to the 2016 Health and Social Care Volunteering Fair.

When: Wednesday 24 February, 14:30-16:30
Where: E513, Checkland Building, Falmer campus

There’s no need to book a place – just come along and chat with the representatives on hand, to find out more about how you could benefit from becoming a volunteer. Active Student will also be there, promoting other health and social care organisations, and to talk through how you can register with Active Student.

Here’s our full list of events for Student Volunteering Week:

When: Mon 22 February (11.30am-1.30pm)
Where: Moulsecoomb Campus, outside Aldrich Library
What: Meet Hove Sea Cadets
Come and chat about opportunities to volunteer with the Sea Cadets, a nautical youth charity.

When: Tue 23 February (Midday-2pm)
Where: Hastings Campus, Student cafe area, Priory Building
What: Meet Healthwatch East Sussex
Find out about opportunities to volunteer with this local consumer champion for health and social care.

When: Tue 23 February (1-2pm)
Where: Grand Parade Campus, Sallis Benney Theatre Foyer
What: Meet Phoenix Gallery
This local art gallery has volunteer opportunities on offer – come and learn more.

When: Wed 24 February (2.30-3.30pm)
Where: Falmer Campus, E513 Checkland Building
What: Health and Social Care Volunteering Fair
Local community organisations and charities will be on hand to discuss the many options that exist for students in the fields of Health and Social Care. There’s no need to book a place – just come along and chat with the organisations, to find out more about how you could benefit from becoming a volunteer. Active Student will also be there, promoting other health and social care organisations, and to talk through how you can register with Active Student.

When: Thu 25 February (11.30am-1.30pm)
Where: Eastbourne Campus, Greynore Restaurant
What: Meet the Alzheimer’s Society
Come find out about volunteer opportunities, and talk to representatives from this charity that provides support services to people with dementia.

When: Thu 25 February (2-3.30pm)
Where: Grand Parade Main Building, Student Centre
What: Chat to Active Student about volunteering
Come and talk to Kat, the Active Student Volunteering Service Project Officer at your campus. She can tell you about volunteer opportunities, and all the benefits of volunteering, such as getting to know your local community, meeting new people, making a difference and building up your CV.

When: Fri 26 February (11.30am-2.30pm)
Where: Falmer Campus, Checkland foyer
What: Meet Sussex Prisoners’ Families
This local organisation offers support services to the families of prisoners and ex-offenders. Find out how you can help them as a volunteer.

Even after National Student Volunteering Week has ended, you can come and see us for a chat at the following times and locations:
Mon 29 February (12-1.30pm) – Moulsecoomb Campus, outside Aldrich Library
Tuesday 1 March (12-1.30pm) – Hastings campus, Havelock Rd Foyer
Thursday 10 March (12-1.30pm) – Falmer campus, Checkland Atrium
Thursday 10 March (2-3.30pm) – Grand Parade Main Building, Student Centre
Thursday 10 March (12.15-1.45pm) – Eastbourne campus, Greynore Restaurant

and we have ‘come and chat’ drop-ins every month during term time.

You can learn more about volunteering by visiting the Active Student website.