Students connect with local organisations to give back to the community and boost employability

The University recently hosted a Volunteer Fair offering students the opportunity to meet a host of local organisations and community groups raising the profile and benefits of student volunteering, during Student Volunteering Week (12-18 February). 

The fair, which took place on Thursday 15 February at Harrison Library, was attended by a steady stream of around 150 students over the two hours. We received great feedback from attendees and the 22 organisations present, representing a range of service areas with a particular focus on support for social wellbeing and community projects, many of whom commented on how engaged our students were. 

But don’t worry if you weren’t able to make it! You can find information about some of the great volunteering roles available below, and you can always get support in finding the right placement, work, or development opportunities from the Careers, Enterprise and Workplace team.

Lisa Luzajic from the Careers, Enterprise and the Workplace team said: “We encourage all our students to take some time to engage in volunteering at some point during their study. 

"It's a great boost to your CV and LinkedIn profile. It’s really important for future employers to be able to see that you have workplace-based experience, that you have taken time to build your skills, and that you have social awareness and give back to the community. It can also be a great opportunity for personal growth, to try new things, meet new people and widen your personal and professional networks.”

In the above video, Lisa highlights how the team were able to introduce a number of criminology students to a range of placement options, with various roles available in prisons, working with adult or with young offenders, and there is also a great range of mentoring schemes available, as well placements within the West Midlands Police.  

Many students also find it valuable to use volunteering to broaden their experiences outside of their field of study. If you’re studying something highly technical, for example, you might benefit from engaging in a role that is more community or people-based, to help build confidence and develop soft skills that are highly transferable.

If you’re working towards a business-orientated profession, you can find some fantastic opportunities within organisations that you might not have otherwise considered. Many charities and not-for-profit organisations are in need of support with business related activities such as administration, HR, marketing, events, or IT support.

So, whatever your interests, skills, or background, come and talk to the Careers, Enterprise and Workplace team and who will be happy to help find you a good fit. 

We invite you to engage in opportunities that not only enrich your academic journey but also contribute to your personal growth and employability

Here is a selection of organisations that focus on social wellbeing and community projects:

Health care and community support

• • The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust has a range of opportunities available including the HOPE community project which provides grants to grass roots community groups running activities that tackle social isolation, supporting vulnerable people in the community to feel more connected.
  • Find more NHS positions helping in healthcare and in the community within:
  • Healthwatch – become a health and social care champion and gather opinions about local health care services; help conduct Enter and View visits to spend time talking to patients; or help deliver important health care projects.
  • Compton Care provides specialist palliative care and bereavement support. Various volunteer roles are available, interacting with patients and within the business support teams, experience levels are welcome.
  • Beacon Centre for the Blind has a wide variety of roles to suit whatever time commitment you can offer
  • The Guide Dogs has a variety of roles supporting people who are visually impaired, or working directly with the dogs.

Mental health organisation

• Shout – as a Shout Volunteer, you will take text conversations with children, young people and adults who are struggling to cope.
• Samaritans – become a listening volunteer and offer support to someone in need via phone or email; or you can support in a variety of other ways through marketing, fundraising, events, IT or shop work.

 Mentoring and working with young people

• The West Midlands Police run a youth cadet scheme and are looking for volunteer leaders to help run the cadet units.
• Mentor Link children’s charity providing therapeutic and mentoring support to young people in schools and across the community.
• Coach Bright - a social mobility charity that supports young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. Roles are available online and across the West Midlands.
• Change Grow Live - Independent Visitor Service is a health and social care charity, helping people overcome challenges including drugs and alcohol, housing, justice, health and wellbeing. They offer peer mentoring roles for those with person experience of the issues they support with. They also have volunteering roles across a broad range of categories, including supporting in healthcare, administration, marketing, or working with the homeless, offenders/ex-offenders.

Child protection

• NSPCC – various positions are available supporting Childline, building connections as a befriender, and volunteering in schools and with community events.
• Lucy Faithfull Foundation – a child protection charity dedicated solely to preventing child sexual abuse.

Conservation

• Wildside Activity Centre is a wonderful way for people of all abilities and ages to reconnect with nature and the environment. They have various ways to volunteer be it in conservation, fundraising, administration or crewing the canal boat.

Sign up to find more local opportunities 

Wolverhampton Volunteers, part of Wolverhampton Voluntary & Community Action, aims to strengthen communities and improve quality of live for the most vulnerable people in society. Register online to browse a wide variety of local volunteering opportunities, or drop in for a chat at their Wolverhampton office.

Volunteered before? We want to hear from you

Share your volunteering stories: We believe in the power of community and the impact of volunteering. If you've been involved in any volunteering activities, we encourage you to share your experiences with us. Your stories could highlight the positive effects on employability, community, or personal development. Your journey could inspire others and showcase the incredible impact students can make beyond the classroom.

The employability edge: Volunteering isn't just about giving back; it's an investment in your future. Many employers value the skills and experiences gained through volunteering. Your stories could be a testament to the employability edge that comes with being an active, engaged member of both campus and community.

Make a difference: Whether it's through mentoring, community service, or other initiatives, your contributions matter. Let's celebrate the collective impact of our student body and inspire others to join the movement.

How to share: Submit your volunteering experiences by Friday 15 March 2024 through theworkplace@wlv.ac.uk. Your stories may be featured in upcoming publications, and selected stories may even be spotlighted on our official channels.  

Student coverage video 

There are lots of ways that the University can support students in gaining experience that will help boost your skills and experience. During the fair, two of our postgraduate Media, Film and Television students, Efe Okakoso Uzeme and Joy Akhamie, produced a film covering the event which we are proud to be able to showcase on the Careers social media channels. 

Watch the video on YouTube here.

Follow for more

Follow the Careers social channels to stay up-to-date with the latest volunteering and employability opportunities and information.

• Instagram:  instagram.com/wlvcareers
• Facebook: facebook.com/wlvcareers 
• Twitter: twitter.com/WLVCareers 
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/wlvcareers 

Find out more at wlv.ac.uk/careers or email theworkplace@wlv.ac.uk for help finding the right work or volunteering placement, or careers@wlv.ac.uk for careers and employability skills development, support and advice.