Finding Volunteering Where You Live How careers can help

Volunteering Resources

You can find out more information about Volunteering on the Careers website, where you can read about student volunteers, and how their contribution has been recognised and access resources including:

Student Volunteer Handbook We recommend that all students read the Student Volunteer Handbook. This gives more information on how volunteering can benefit you, support your career goals, and give back to the community. It includes hints and tips to help you choose the right role for you.

International Volunteering Handbook Volunteering overseas is an exciting experience; whilst we do not advertise opportunities abroad on our online vacancy pages, we would recommend that you read our International Volunteering Handbook.

Volunteering From Home The Volunteering From Home resource provides information about opportunities you can get involved in without leaving the house.

Free Online Careers Vacancy Service Opportunities currently advertised on the Careers Vacancy Service include volunteering local to the university (usually within 20 miles), part time jobs, and graduate jobs

Edge Hill University Student Opportunity Fund The Student Opportunity Fund is an exciting initiative which contributes financial support that helps you to take part in activities which enhance your employability, build your confidence and develop your transferable skills.

Points to consider

We recommend that students commit to no more than 16 hours per week of a combination of paid work and volunteering.

Careers classes volunteering as activity that takes place outside of studies or accredited modules. It is unpaid and undertaken on a voluntary basis. Hours recorded for a placement undertaken as part of your course at Edge Hill, are not considered volunteering. If you are researching a placement opportunity you should first speak to the Placement Coordinator in your academic department.

Although some opportunities can be one off roles or short term, most organisations looking for volunteers will often seeking an ongoing commitment of between 6 months and 2 years. Be realistic about what you can commit to.

Volunteering roles can be competitive and applications should be professional. Volunteering Advisers can advise you here.

Edge Hill University do not have agreements in place with most of the organisations listed and we recommend you read the Student Volunteering Handbook before you sign up. We cannot guarantee the level of support you will receive from the organisation. However, this is a starting point for students looking to see what is available near them.

Volunteering with the NHS

If you are studying a health or wellbeing related course, you may also be interested in volunteering with the NHS. Each trust has its own opportunities and advice on volunteering. These roles may provide you with the opportunity to gain experience in a hospital or clinical setting.

The volunteering section of the NHS website is a helpful place to start.

If you search online for the trust most local to you with 'volunteering,' you should easily find helpful information. For example, put the following in your search engine: "Alderhey NHS Trust volunteering"

Before undertaking any volunteering, ensure that you read the Student Volunteering Handbook. If you have any questions go to Contacting Careers to find out when Careers Corner is open and how to send Volunteering Advisers an Ask A Question.

Contacting organisations that do not generally advertise volunteering opportunities (Including schools)

Sometimes you may want to gain experience with an organisation that does not traditionally advertise volunteering opportunities. This might for example be work shadowing, or gaining experience at a school. The usual way to contact such an organisation, would be to send in a CV and Covering letter. You can find examples and guidance on creating these in the Making Applications section of the Careers website.

Remember that Careers are happy to look at drafts of covering letters, application forms. We will provide students and recent graduates with useful feedback. You can send in these drafts using Ask a Question. If you would like to have your CV and covering letter checked the CV Review tool is available 24/7 to give instant feedback.

Points to consider:

Research your organisation. CVs and covering letters should be specific and targeted. This means they are likely to need updating with each new application. Demonstrating an understanding of the organisation you are contacting, will strengthen your application.

Use existing contacts. Who do you already know? Are there organisations or individuals you are already in contact with? Could you ask your tutors? Networking will help you here. If you do not have an existing contact, try to find the name of someone you can send your CV to directly. This personalised approach will strengthen your application.

Avoid one line emails.  This is your first professional introduction, one line will not give the organisation enough information, and therefore you are less likely to get a response. The resources above will help you know what to include and how to structure the email as you would a letter.

Follow up your contact. If you do not hear anything, follow up your CV and covering letter with a well worded email or polite telephone call. If you still do not get a response, try elsewhere. You may have to contact various organisations to secure the experience you want.

How far can you go?  Think about how far geographically you can travel. Be realistic here, but you may need to go outside of your local area. This is particularly the case if there are a lot of people looking for similar experience, or if the role is specialised.

Be specific. In your covering letter be specific about the time you want to give and the experience you would like to gain.

Sell yourself.  Think about what you can offer the organisation. You can draw on your studies and past experience here. If an organisation feel they will gain from your input, it will strengthen your application. It also shows you have done your research and are keen.

Volunteering should not replace a paid role in an organisation. Volunteer roles should complement and supplement the work of paid staff rather than be used to displace or undercut the pay and conditions of service. A Volunteer Charter drawn up between Volunteer England and the TUC in 2009 gives more information. This doesn't mean that the organisation can't reimburse you for out of pocket expenses e.g. travel, or provide you with appropriate training.

Remember: Not all organisations will be able to offer voluntary or unpaid experience. There can be good reasons for this, such as data protection, working with vulnerable people, or the need for prior experience or qualification. If you wish to discuss your options further, book an appointment with Careers or send an email via Ask a Question. You many need to consider getting more general experience first to strengthen your applications. Think of this a stepping stone to the career you really want. A first step might be to use the Careers Vacancy Service, or to contact Volunteering Advisers. Ensure that you read the Student Volunteering Handbook, for more points to consider.

Talking to someone about their job. Although volunteering may not always be possible, you might still be able to arrange a telephone call to talk to someone about their role.