Volunteering

Types of Volunteering

There are many things that you can do and lots of opportunities to get involved in.  You can volunteer:

• On your course (course rep) or as part of your study (mentor other students)
• Outside your study time
• During your vacation
• In your Gap Year
• Volunteer overseas

Benefits of Volunteering

  "Volunteering brings a strong feeling of accomplishment, in that you are doing something for other people rather than yourself"  

This quote from a student volunteer is very true, but there are other benefits to volunteering.  You also gain a lot from personal satisfaction working on projects, developing new skills and knowledge and meeting new people in a different and often fun environment.

We recognise how volunteering can play an important role in developing career plans.  It not only expands your skill set but also gives you an insite into the working world, opening you up to new career options or even confirming your initial ideas. These new skills can be used in your future career development.  In addition you can build a new network of friends and have fun at the same time! Past quotes from volunteers in 2009 include:

"The experience I have gained...has given me confidence and it has helped me make the informed decision that a career related to speech and language therapy is one I wish to pursue and I feel determined to do so!" 2009

"As I do a law degree I had never really considered a career in anything else...it has opened my eyes to other careers.  I would recommend volunteering to other students in general and for students who may not know what field they want to go into." 2009

"I have gained the ability to be a leader and to be more organised as well" 2009

"It allows you to meet new people you may not have met before, and make new friends, something which may be intimidating when starting at a new place" 2009

Useful Information

• Finding Volunteer Opportunities - details of North East and UK wide opportunities.
• Global Citizenship Award - an award run by the University and the Students' Union to officially recognise all the time and effort that you as volunteer dedicate across you degree. 
• Volunteer Northumbria - Northumbria University Student Union Community volunteering programme.