Why Volunteer?

Volunteering can improve your confidence, career and personal development. It helps you meet others who share your interests, have fun and make contacts which could be useful after you graduate.

In a recent survey, volunteering impressed future employers with 73% saying they’d rather employ someone who had volunteered rather than someone who hadn’t. It shows initiative and a commitment to developing skills and knowledge outside your course.

What’s in it for me?

It can help you put your learning into action and give you skills and experience that will get you noticed by employers. Volunteering also provides opportunities to try out ideas and gather research data for your studies too. One student commented:

“I can put into practice what I have learnt almost immediately. Not only has this helped me develop my own style of facilitation … but has given me ample chance to experiment with new teaching techniques and using risk assessments and other bits of paperwork – it has really helped my learning in these areas.”

Volunteering can help you develop skills that employers value:

• Leadership
• Organisation
• Negotiation
• Prioritising
• Decision making
• Communication
• Team work
• Motivating others
• Using your initiative

For more information have a look at the developing skills through volunteering page.