Student Volunteer Welcome Pack
Welcome to volunteering Thank you for signing up with Volunteering and Employability (V&E). We hope your volunteering experience is both enjoyable and worthwhile. In this pack you will find some important information that will guide you through your volunteering journey. You will also find some useful tips on choosing from our wide variety of volunteering opportunities. We hope you find a volunteering role that suits your needs and interests and enables you to develop the necessary skills you need for the future. Our dedicated team is here to make sure your volunteering experience is both enjoyable and worthwhile. If you need any advice and guidance please contact us: Email: volunteering.su@coventry.ac.uk Tel: 024 7765 5210 Office: The Hub, room 1.25. Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 10am – 4pm.
Our opportunities Not sure what kind of volunteering experience you’re after? V&E have a wide variety of opportunities to choose from.
Volunteering in the community V&E work with over 100 community organisations and charities. The opportunities are grouped into the following areas: • • • • • • •
Advice & Support Arts & Media Children & Young People Fundraising Health Older People Environment & Sport
Volunteering in schools V&E work with 20 schools across the city. You can choose to help children develop their language and literacy skills, support pupils in different subject areas, or lead on sports coaching sessions. If you speak any additional languages you could support children who are newly arrived to the country.
Volunteering for CUSU There are opportunities for you to run and organise campaigns and events, or journalism, DJ and filming opportunities within CUSU Student Media. Student Led projects Student-led projects are a great way to lead on your own volunteering with classmates or friends. We would love to hear from you if you have an idea for a student-led project or would like to join one of our existing projects. 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.
Your step by step guide to volunteering You’re now a member of V&E, so what is the next step? STEP 1: Browse the volunteering opportunities on our website:
or email them to discuss the opportunity.
www.cusu.org/opportunities/ volunteering/volunteeringopportunities/
The contact details for each opportunity are on the website. You will need your password: CUSUVE to access the opportunities link. Please be aware for all Schools Volunteering opportunities contact volunteering.su@coventry.ac.uk
As a member of V&E you will receive regular e-newsletters informing you of our latest news, volunteering opportunities and events. Like our Facebook page to keep up to date: www.facebook.com/ CUSUVE If you are not sure what opportunity is best for you, please book an appointment with a member of staff. Email volunteering.su@ coventry.ac.uk or visit the V&E office in The Hub, room 1.25. STEP 2: Contact your chosen organisation(s) Once you have chosen which organisation(s) you would like to volunteer with, please telephone
STEP 3: Submit your Volunteering Details form Please tell us where you are volunteering by completing this online Volunteering Details Form. You will then be eligible for a certificate of recognition. Once you have finished your volunteering please let us know how many hours you did by completing this online Volunteering Time Sheet. It is very important that you complete these forms. If you have any questions please contact us: volunteering.su@coventry.ac.uk
Make a good first impression THINGS TO MENTION IN YOUR PHONE CALL OR EMAIL It’s good to start off with telling the organisation WHERE YOU FOUND THE OPPORTUNITY. Let them know you are a student from Coventry University and a member of Volunteering & Employability. This will let them know whether the opportunity you’ve found is still open or whether any details have changed since they last advertised it. Next, explain WHY YOU CHOSE THE ORGANISATION and the opportunity. They might want to know about your interest in a particular field, what skills you might be able to bring to the role, as well as the skills you are looking to gain. You will also need to let them know WHY YOU’RE VOLUNTEERING. If you are volunteering as part of a course or module, they will tell you whether they have enough hours to cover your course/module requirements. They will also be impressed by your passion for working in their particular field (i.e. with children or older people). Now would be a good time to ASK ABOUT THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS. This varies for each organisations but it may include an interview, reference checks, DBS (formerly CRB) check or training. If all goes well, make sure to ARRANGE AN INDUCTION with the organisation. This might be a formal process that lasts for half a day, or an informal chat half an hour before you start. Either way, organisations should talk you through their policies and procedures, and make sure you’re prepared before you start.
Expectations of a CUSU Volunteer Being a volunteer is a rewarding experience that you stand to gain from in many different ways. It is also about providing a meaningful service to the local community whilst representing Coventry University and the Students’ Union. Therefore there are certain expectations of you as a volunteer, which we hope you will take on board and follow.
Dedication
Be honest, reliable and punctual whilst on placement.
Communication
Let us know the details of your volunteering placement by submitting an online Volunteering Details form.
Speak-Up
Let us know about any problems, issues or concerns.
Ambassador
Act responsibly and set a good example to others when volunteering.
Safety
Observe all health and safety requirements as directed and act responsibly.
Commitment
Attend at agreed times and tell your supervisor in advance if this is not possible.
Update
Inform us and your supervisor of any changes to your contact details, availability or if you wish to cancel your placement.
Feedback
Provide feedback when requested to help us improve our service.
Respect
Abide by the policies, procedures and standards of your placement organisation.
Contact
Keep in regular contact with V&E and your placement supervisor.
Useful information DBS CLEARANCE
doing and where you feel you need
If your volunteering involves working
extra financial assistance, they will
with children or vulnerable adults, you
do what they can to find the most
will need to obtain DBS clearance. If
appropriate funding source for you.
you are volunteering with an external
For further information, please contact
community organisation and you need
fundingadvice.daro@coventry.ac.uk
a DBS check please ask them about this first as they may want to process it
REFERENCES
themselves. V&E can process this check
References are often required for
for you if you meet the criteria of a
volunteering placements. A referee
volunteer, but please bear in mind that
should be someone who has known you
sometimes DBS disclosures can take
in a professional capacity for over one
over 8 weeks to be processed and sent
year e.g. a former teacher, your current
back to you.
tutor, previous/ current employer, your family doctor or landlord. Volunteering
TRAVEL EXPENSES
& Employability are unable to provide
If your placement organisation cannot
any references for volunteers.
reimburse expenses, V&E may be able to cover some of the costs that you incur
REPORTING AN ABSENCE
on placement, this is usually travel costs
It is your responsibility to contact your
via public transport from Coventry City
placement organisation in the event of
Centre to your placement organisation
you being unwell or unable to attend
and back. Please consult a member of
your placement. Please make sure you
V&E staff before claiming any expenses.
give as much notice as possible so that alternative arrangements can be made.
Alternatively, you can book in to see the University’s funding advice service. If you explain to them what you are
Stay in touch
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