Volunteering & Employability Guide 2015 /16
contents Welcome.................................................................3 Meet your Activities Officer......................... 4 Why volunteer?....................................................5 Choosing a volunteering opportunity..... 6 Opportunities in the community............... 8 Opportunities in schools...............................10 One-off volunteering days........................... 12 Student-led projects.......................................14 Student Volunteer Team...............................16 How to get involved........................................ 17 Contact us............................................................18
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welcome The Volunteering and Employability department (V&E) is located in the Students Union, 1st floor of The Hub, room 1.25. We support Coventry University students to secure rewarding volunteering opportunities within the local community in Coventry. Our varied volunteering opportunities offer students the chance to gain invaluable experience whilst benefiting charity organisations and schools. We also support students to develop their own volunteering projects or lead on existing projects in the community. So, whether you have lots of spare time or can only commit to a few hours, 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. Please email us to book an appointment with us if you need any advice and guidance. Email: volunteering.su@coventry.ac.uk
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meet your activities officer GABRIELA ROTARU from and undertake alongside your studies.
Hi there! I’m Gabriela and I’m your Activities Officer for this year. My job is to oversee both societies and volunteering opportunities at CUSU. Whether you’re interested in getting involved and knowing more about the community or gaining some experience working in schools, there are more than 100 volunteering opportunities that you can choose
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Volunteering programs give you the chance to actively engage in the community, make connections and take your employability skills that little step further. Think of it like a work experience program in which you will have the chance to develop a lot of skills – leadership, persistence, online and live communication, all this among people that share the same interests as you and are driven by the same goal – create an impact and make the most of their time. There will be projects, fun events, connections, learning and a lot of growing, self-developing and practice. Throughout this year you will have full support so do not hesitate to ask questions, make suggestions or just come by to say hi. Gabriela
why volunteer? EXPERIENCE AND EMPLOYABILITY With over 350,000 students graduating each year and entering either continued education or employment, it is more important than ever to develop transferable skills through volunteering. By volunteering you can boost your employability and stand out in the job market. Volunteering also offers you the chance to try out potential career paths and gain experience in a new field.
FUN AND FLEXIBLE Volunteering is about having fun and meeting new people. So sign up now and enjoy making a difference whilst making new friends and building up your skills. Also, why not volunteer with a group of friends or classmates, and create some university memories?
HELP THE COMMUNITY Help us to shatter the myth that students don’t provide any benefit to the city in which they study! Volunteering is the perfect way to contribute to the development and wellbeing of the city of Coventry. Whether you want to work with vulnerable people, children, the elderly or those in need of advice and guidance, we have the opportunity for you to give something back.
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choosing a volunteering opportunity You can either choose to volunteer within the Students’ Union, local charity organisations or schools. Alternatively you can take part in some of our ‘One-off volunteering’ days or create your own student led volunteering activities and projects in the local community.
Come and speak to a member of staff if you need any help choosing the right opportunity for you. Email volunteering.su@coventry.ac.uk or visit us in The Hub, Room 1.25
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“It was nice meeting new people and sharing an experience together� Noemie Sieffert
Warwickshire Wildlife Trust Volunteer.
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opportunities in the com
Advice & Support
Offer support and advice to refugees and asylum seekers, victims of crime, homeless people, young carers or other vulnerable groups.
Arts & Media
Learn about the Coventry and Midlands art scene by volunteering at museums, galleries and places of cultural interest. Develop and/ or utilise your skills in PR, media, administration and IT to support the information services of our local charity organisations and community partners.
Children & Young People
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, leisure activities, creative education or mentoring.
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Fundraising
Fundraise in many weird and wonderful ways for our charity partners, or develop your own idea for a fundraising event or activity.
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Health
Help young people address substance abuse, support people with learning difficulties lead an independent, healthy life or promote awareness and understanding of mental health issues within the community.
Environment & Sport
Take part in gardening and conservation projects whilst raising the awareness of sustainable living, or support the coaching and development of clubs in a variety of sports including football, rugby, judo, fencing and many more.
Older People
Help reduce loneliness in older people by helping them to get online, befriending or providing fun filled activities and events for them in care settings or the local community.
Did you know that these opportunities could be completed as part of the Community Volunteering Add+vantage Modules? For more information visit our website: www.cusu.org/ opportunities/volunteering/ addvantage-modules/
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opportunities in schools
Right to Read
Work with school children across Coventry on a one-toone basis to help develop their language and literacy skills for up to an hour per week for 10 weeks in Term 2.
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.
If you’re thinking of volunteering with a school this year, we can process your DBS application for you. Please note this can take up to 8 weeks to be completed.
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Language Register
If you speak any additional languages, sign yourself up to the Language Register and work with children newly arrived to the country with their language and literacy skills.
All schools volunteers will be required to attend a training session prior to starting, email volunteering.su@coventry. ac.uk for further details.
Sports Coaching
Lead on sports coaching sessions with primary and secondary pupils after school or during P.E lessons. The perfect opportunity to volunteer with your friends or team mates!
Did you know that these opportunities could be completed as part of the Schools Volunteering Add+vantage Module? For more information visit our website: www.cusu.org/ opportunities/volunteering/ addvantage-modules/
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one-off volunteering days V&E arrange a variety of one-off volunteering activities for you to get involved in throughout the year. They are a great way to have fun, meet new people and support your community. So even if you can’t make a regular commitment to a project, one-off opportunities are a great way to get involved. One-off volunteering days can be flexible around your timetable and enable you to make a positive impact in just a few hours!
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Here are some examples of activities that took place last year:
“It made me realise how we take clothes for granted. Having the opportunity to volunteer to help people who are less fortunate has made a positive difference to me – it was a fun, engaging and positive event� Sarah Mensah
Food bank volunteer
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student led projects
SHARE YOUR PASSION inspire & be inspired Chess Science Maths
Technology Clouds Art
Children Older People Sport
Environment Health Community
Are you passionate about your subject? Do you have an interest outside of your faculty that you would like to share? Would you like to share that passion with Coventry schools and the local community? Why not start a student led project? Student-led Projects are a great way to lead on your own volunteering with classmates or friends. They are organised and run by the student with V&E support. Here are some project ideas: Ancient Greek – teach primary school children about everyday life in Ancient Greece, giving them a richer understanding of this historic period. Tea and chatter – arrange social activities for older people in residential care and community venues. Help reduce social isolation through physical activities, craft activities or music and cultural events.
Artie - offer patients something creative and enjoyable to do during their stay in hospital. Activities include painting, sketch sets, card games, crosswords and dominoes which are given to patients to keep and take home. Culture and Language Clubs – 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 is your country’s history, cuisine and culture? Chess Club – teach children aged 9-12 how to master the art of playing Chess. Activities should include how to start a game, how the pieces move and introduce basic Chess strategy.
We would love to hear from you if you have an idea for a student-led project. The V&E team is here to support you on the logistics of your project, connect with organisations and help you recruit some project assistants.
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“I wanted to have a good time while making a difference to the community, and that is exactly what happened� Mehmet Pekyovas 15
Warwickshire Wildlife Trust volunteer
the SVT
Volunteering & Employability
T V S STUDENT VOLUNTEER TEAM
The Student Volunteer Team (SVT) is a group of students enthusiastic about promoting the benefits of volunteering to other students. They engage students by organising and supporting volunteering events, promoting Volunteering & Employability 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 2 this year!
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how to get involved 1
STEP 1: Visit our website: www.cusu.org/opportunities/ volunteering to sign up with us (Sign up to get involved) and browse our volunteering opportunities. You will then be emailed a ‘Volunteer Welcome’ pack to help you get started.
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STEP 2: Choose a volunteering opportunity you would like to volunteer with and contact them directly. In order to make a good impression, refer to your ‘Volunteer Welcome’ pack.
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STEP 3: Submit your Volunteer Details Form (via our website) once you begin your volunteering, and keep in touch with us to let us know how you’re getting on.
If you are not sure what opportunity is best for you, please book an appointment 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, room 1.25.
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contact us CTION JUN
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Maurica Foss
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Web www.cusu.org/opportunities
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Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 10am – 4pm.
Telephone 024 7765 5210
Coventry Cathedral
Holy Trinity Church
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Swimming Baths and Sports Centre
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Room 1.25, First Floor, The Hub, Jordan Well, Coventry, CV1 5QT
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Futures Institute
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“It was an exciting experience working with a group that were really hard working and fun to be with” Patrick Oten-Obasuyi 19 Food Bank Volunteer
Email: volunteering.su@coventry.ac.uk Website: cusu.org/opportunities/volunteering