CONTENTS 2
Welcome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
CUSU Outreach Activities . . . . . . . . . . 12
Why Volunteer? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Student-led Projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Choosing a Volunteering Opportunity . 6
The SVT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Opportunities in the Community . . . . . 8
How to get involved . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Opportunities in Schools . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Contact us . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
WELCOME The Volunteering and Employability department is located on the 1st floor of the Students’ Union (The Hub). We are here to support Coventry University students to secure rewarding volunteering opportunities across the Coventry area, allowing students the opportunity to gain invaluable experience whilst benefiting local charity organisations and schools. We also work with students who wish to develop their own volunteering projects, or take part in the varied opportunities we have on offer. So, whether you have loads of spare time every week to fill, or if you’re looking at committing an hour or two here and there, we can help you find something that suits your needs!
Our dedicated team is here to make sure your volunteering experience is both enjoyable and worthwhile. Be sure to book an appointment with us, should you need any advice and guidance, by emailing volunteering.su@coventry.ac.uk 3
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I enjoyed meeting new people and making new friends. For me this was the best part of being in the volunteer team. You meet new people, expand your network and learn new things. FRANCESCA DODU, SVT STUDENT ADVISOR
CHOOSING A VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITY As a registered volunteer, you are free to choose from any of our opportunities listed online. You can choose to volunteer with a local charity, organisation or school. Alternatively, you can sign up to the CUSU Outreach Team, and join fellow CU students in delivering volunteering activities and projects in the local community.
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This is the second year we have run this event and it has been a huge success both years. We are hoping to expand this and include more schools and encourage other sports volunteers to get involved. EMILY KENWORTHY. VOLUNTEERING SECRETARY @ TEAM PHOENIX NETBALL TEAM
OPPORTUNITIES IN THE COMMUNITY Advice and Guidance
Children and Young People
Offer support and advice to refugees and asylum seekers, as well as those in need of financial advice. Help fight poverty and dependency in Coventry today.
Gain invaluable experience of working with young people by helping them to raise their aspirations or encouraging them to become more socially active through art, sport and other activities.
Arts and Culture Learn about the Coventry and Midlands art scene by volunteering at museums, galleries and places of cultural interest.
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Environment Take part in gardening and conservation projects whilst raising the awareness of sustainable living.
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Fundraising and Campaigns Fundraise in many weird and wonderful ways for our charity partners, or develop your own idea for a fundraising event or activity.
Health Help young people address substance abuse, support people with learning difficulties lead an independent, healthy life.
Mentoring and Befriending
Older People Help older people fight off the causes of dementia and loneliness by supporting to get online or by providing fun-filled activities and events for them in the community.
Sport There are plenty of opportunities to support the coaching and development of clubs in a variety of sports including football, rugby, judo, fencing and many more.
Support young people in care or offer support to young refugees, either online or in everyday life.
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OPPORTUNITIES IN SCHOOLS Right to Read – Work with school children across Coventry on a one-to-one basis to help develop their language and literacy skills for up to an hour per week for 10 weeks in Term 2. This opportunity can be done as part of the Volunteering in Schools Add+vantage module.
Student Tutoring – Volunteer in a primary or secondary school classroom for up to 2 hours a week, supporting pupils in different subject areas. Perfect for gaining classroom experience and teaching skills. This opportunity can be done as part of the Volunteering in Schools Add+vantage module
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S E I T I V I T C A U H S C CU TREA OU
Signing up for CUSU Outreach Activities will allow you to hear about all the latest volunteering opportunities firsthand. You will be invited to volunteer, along with other CU students by helping to deliver an activity or project in the local community. Not only is this a fantastic opportunity to benefit others, but you will also learn about the city of Coventry and meet some really interesting community leaders. As this is a 12
pilot project, spaces are limited. However, we will include your name on a waiting list and inform you if any opportunities arise. As well as signing up for one-off events and activities, we would also love to hear from you if you have an idea for a studentled community project. The V&E team is here to support you on the logistics of your project and help you recruit some project assistants.
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It’s quite fulfilling when you are offering your services for a good cause and have fun doing it too. Thank you for giving us the opportunity. CHARLES EREGE, DONATION COORDINATOR @ COVENTRY FOOD BANK
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STUDENT-LED PROJECTS Ancient Greek –
Arts and Crafts -
This project has been running for two years. Its aim is to teach primary school children about everyday life in Ancient Greece, giving them a richer understanding of this historic period. The project is the perfect accompaniment to the school curriculum and it has proven a great success so far. To register your interest, email volunteering.su@coventry.ac.uk and we will put you in touch with the project leader.
Started in 2013, groups of dedicated art lovers took their ideas into a local primary school, working with the children on a variety of tasks including pop art, collage making, painting and drawing. With many schools seeing their arts budget squeezed, teachers are eager to receive student support and give their pupils a rich and full education. We are looking for a brand new team of students to take over this project. Email volunteering.su@coventry.ac.uk to sign up.
on y d a e l o t at way ent with V& e r g a cts aren by the stud e j o r P d ru t-led Studen organised an re They a Culture and Language Clubs -
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With the population of Coventry becoming ever more diverse, now is the ideal time to promote your language and culture in a variety of ways. Want to let others know how rich and beautiful your country’s history, cuisine and culture is? Simply email volunteering.su@coventry.ac.uk to discuss your ideas with us!
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We all want to go into teaching, so this has been a brilliant way to experience what it’s like dealing with a class of 30 children.
NUALA MCKILLOP, ARTS AND CRAFTS STUDENT-LED PROJECT, PROJECT LEADER
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THE SVT The Student Volunteer Team (SVT) is a group of students who are enthusiastic about promoting the benefits of volunteering to other students. They engage students by organising and supporting volunteering events, promoting our department on social media and gathering the thoughts and opinions of the student body to make volunteering at CUSU work for them. Keep an eye out for next year’s application period in Term 3!
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HOW TO GET INVOLVED STEP 1: Visit www.cusu.org/ opportunities/volunteering to register with us (Register and Get Involved) and to browse our opportunities. You will then receive your volunteering pack in an email with helpful tips on how to proceed. STEP 2: If you are not sure what opportunity is best for you, we encourage students to book appointments with a member of staff. This can be done by emailing volunteering.su@coventry.ac.uk or by visiting the V&E office in the HUB. STEP 3: Email your chosen organisation(s) to discuss the opportunity with them further. In order to make a good first impression, refer to our ‘Things to say in your first email or phone call’ page within your volunteering pack. STEP 4: Submit your Volunteer Details Form once you begin your volunteering, and get in touch with us to let us know how you’re getting on.
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CONTACT US Coach Station
James Starley
The Hub
EET
Herbert Art Gallery and Museum
RO
AD
COX STREET
Hillman/Humber
Maurice Foss
Bugatti
JORDAN WELL
GOSF
Ellen Terry
Richard Crossman
ORD
STRE
ST
STR
RS
IA
FR
TE
HI
ARK CHP
White Friars
ET
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EET
Sports Centre Sir John Laing
Car Park
RING EET
T STR SHOR ICE
SIDE
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Graham Sutherland
W
MU
cusuvolunteering.wordpress.com
George Eliot
T
Twitter: twitter.com/CUSUVE
Swimming Baths and Sports Centre
Charles Ward
STREE
Facebook: facebook.com/cusuve
Priory Hall
Alan Berry
Tel: 024 7765 5210
Web: www.cusu.org/opportunities
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Room 1.25, First Floor, The Hub, Jordan Well, Coventry, CV1 5QT
Email: volunteering.su@coventry.ac.uk
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TREE
PRIORY
Volunteering & Employability Coventry University Students’ Union
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Five years of volunteering have seen my confidence soar, raised my profile and employment prospects. It has been an amazing opportunity to be a part of the community. RUTH HAMBLETT, CUSU STUDENT VOLUNTEER
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