There are lots of different opportunities to get involved in volunteering during your time at University.
The Guild of Students, University departments and the local community are all ways in which you can build your professional development, and make a difference. You also have the chance to meet new people and build new professional networks, gaining insights into different roles and sectors.
Ask yourself:
- What do I care about?
- What skills and graduate attributes do I want to develop?
- Who do I want to benefit?
- What will I learn
- How much time can I spare?
- Can I travel there easily?
Student-led volunteering
The Guild of Students provides hundreds of student-led volunteering opportunities. Volunteers are really important to the Guild and, without them we would not be able to support our members in the way that we do.
Volunteering for University departments
University departments offer internal volunteering opportunities ranging from mentoring to supporting the research and cultural collections to running a sports club.
The links below can assist in finding out more about the volunteering opportunities offered by the University of Birmingham.
Volunteering in the community
There are hundreds of organisations that you can volunteer for, such as Childline, The National Trust, and the Royal National Institute for the Blind. Search online for charities (large and small) close to you. Opportunities can be perused at doit.life and more sources are highlighted on search for work experience related to volunteering.
For opportunities in Birmingham and the West Midlands, Birmingham Voluntary Service Council (BVSO) also advertise roles. Visit their BVSO community jobsboard.
Volunteer recognition and resources
Volunteering is also recognised by the University's employability award, The Birmingham Award. Doing this award highlights to recruiters that you are engaged and value personal and professional development beyond your studies.
Volunteering abroad
The Go Global team at the University promote overseas opportunities, whether they are study abroad related or volunteering. For information visit the Go Global main webpage. For a list of global opportunities, go to the Canvas resource Go Global Summer. Funding may also be available for volunteering which require payment from students (such as fees to the Provider and flights).
International opportunities listed below and on Careers Connect which seek payment from students are restricted to UK campus students only (not Dubai campus).
Volunteering opportunities