Summer Vacation Volunteering Opportunities

Project V is the Students’ Union volunteering scheme, committed to providing safe and supported volunteering opportunities for University of Sussex Students.

WWW.SUSSEXSTUDENT.COM/VOLUNTEERING

VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES If you have some time over the summer vacation period, why not think about volunteering?

Volunteering can be extremely rewarding and enjoyable – you have the opportunity to contribute to your local community as well as make new friends, have fun and add to your skills, knowledge and understanding.

Summer vacation volunteering is also a great way to gain a valuable taster of a particular field of community work without having to commit to anything longer term and having to juggle volunteering with studying. Additionally, for those of you thinking of your future career, the fact that you will have engaged in something constructive during your summer vacation can only enhance your CV. So, take a look at the volunteering opportunities listed below and then get in touch with us to find out how you can get involved. You can either phone us on (01273) 873387, visit us in the Activities Centre (1st Floor, Falmer House) open Monday – Friday 10am-4.30pm, or e-mail projectv@sussex.ac.uk

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to have a unique and interesting summer!

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CONTENTS PAGE VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES: 1) Social Group Assist with East Sussex Assoc for the Blind

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2) Sustainability Assist and/or Community Energy Assist with Lewes District Council

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3) Community Fundraising Speaker with RNID - Action on Hearing Loss

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4) Community Gardener with Moulsecoomb Forest Garden & Wildlife Project

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5) Accessible City Guide Volunteer with B&H Federation of Disabled People

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6) Delivery and Collections Volunteer with B&H Federation of Disabled People

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7) Race For Life 2011 Volunteer with Cancer Research UK

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8) Fundraising Assistant with Fareshare Brighton & Hove

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9) Delivery Assistant with Fareshare Brighton & Hove

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10) Depot Assistant with Fareshare Brighton & Hove

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11) Events Assistant with Fareshare Brighton & Hove

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12) Office Assistant with Fareshare Brighton & Hove

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13) Community Farm Volunteer with Nourish

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14) Playworker with Mouslecoomb Neighbourhood Trust

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PROJECT V GREEN PROJECT

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VOLUNTEERING BEYOND THE SUMMER

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SUSSEX PLUS

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East Sussex Association for the Blind and Partially Sighted People aim to enhance the lives of people with a sight loss. It has a resource centre, information helpline and organises skills training to promote independence, social groups and home visits.

Volunteer Role: Social Group Assistant (602) You will assist at the project’s social group helping service users from their transport into the building, helping them to get involved in various activities, serving refreshments, socialising with the service users and providing companionship. You will also assist on the trips out by guiding service users. Many service users are elderly people who have age related sight loss and may consequently have experienced a loss of confidence.

Volunteer Requirements: You need to have good communication skills as some of the service users are also hard of hearing; good listening skills, a willingness to be part of a team, and be reliable.

Training Details: You will have an induction into project. Sighted guiding training can also be provided and, if time is available, a visit to the project’s head office can be arranged to look at equipment available for visually impaired people.

Recruitment Schedule: From May onwards, applications need to be in by the end of June 2011.

Volunteer Time Commitment: You need to commit to 3 hours per fortnight for a minimum of 2 months. The group meet on the 1st & 3rd Friday of each month, from 2-5pm at Portslade Town Hall.

Recruitment Process: Submission of application form, two references and interview.

Other Info: More information about this project can be found in this project’s ‘Further Info’ folder located in the Project V Drop-In area.

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Lewes District Council is involved in various environmental projects including those concerned with sustainability and community energy issues. One such project is the Smarter Living & Community Energy initiative.

Volunteer Roles: Sustainability Assistant and/or Community Energy Assistant (66) Sustainability Assistant: you will help prepare for and attend several eco events taking place of the summer & prepare, design and run workshops on renewable energy, sustainability, climate change and resource use.

Community Energy Assistant: you will help to progress a programme of Council support to community energy projects.

Volunteer Requirements: Ideally you will have an interest in climate change, sustainability, energy and /or community development.

Training Details: You will receive training on sustainability and energy issues which may or may not be specific depending on situation and interest e.g. if you are specifically interested in running a solar stage, you would receive the appropriate training.

Recruitment Schedule: All year round, no application deadline.

Volunteer Time Commitment: You need to commit a minimum of 4 hours a week for at least 2 months.

Volunteering takes place from Tuesday – Saturdays, 9am – 4pm.

Recruitment Process: Interview.

Other Info: The project can provide job references and support related student projects.

More information about this project can be found in this project’s ‘Further Info’ folder located in the Project V Drop-In area.

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RNID - Action on Hearing Loss is the UK charity that takes action on hearing loss. They do this with the help of their members by campaigning and lobbying, raising awareness of deafness and hearing loss, providing services and through social, medical and technical research.

Volunteer Role: Community Fundraising Speaker (603) You will deliver talks to community groups e.g. Lions Clubs, Rotary Clubs and faith groups, raising awareness of RNID’s work in the community and motivating the groups to fundraiser for RNID. Specifically you will deliver talks suitably tailored to the needs of local groups (materials and information will be provided); become familiar with the range of RNID information and local services; answer questions from the audience and distribute information if appropriate; monitor the number of people at the talk and feedback to Fundraising Manager; eventually, seek out new groups interested in receiving a talk; promote the work of RNID; meet with other RNID volunteers to discuss the project and suggest any improvements.

Volunteer Requirements: You need to have confidence in speaking to individuals, groups and professionals; knowledge of or willingness to learn about issues affecting deaf and hard of hearing people; to have a friendly, reliable and approachable manner; have the ability to listen to questions and to answer appropriately – making a note of questions for RNID staff to answer if unable to answer fully; and be happy to work with a wide range of people Training Details: Project induction.

Recruitment Schedule: All year round, no application deadline.

Volunteer Time Commitment: Ideally, you need to be able to commit to a minimum of a few hours a month for at least 3 months but the level of commitment is flexible. Most volunteering will take place in the evenings and sometimes weekends.

Recruitment Process: Application form, interview and induction.

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Moulsecoomb Forest Garden & Wildlife Project is a community allotment scheme where they practice organic, forest and wildlife vegetable gardening. They have regular workdays where everyone is welcome, a 'no gardening experience necessary' ethos, and also work with local schools and the youth offending service.

Volunteer Role: Community Gardener (463) You will assist with various aspects of general gardening work and help to engage visiting groups and individuals in the gardening project. You will learn to garden, grow and harvest organic fruit and vegetables.

Volunteer Requirements: You do not need to have any previous gardening experience. You need to wear old clothes, gardening gloves and sturdy footwear.

Training Details: Induction and training on the basics of gardening and growing food.

Recruitment Schedule: All year round, no application deadline.

Volunteer Time Commitment: No minimum time commitment. Volunteering takes place on Tuesdays and Fridays between 10am-3pm.

Recruitment Process: No recruitment procedure, Project V staff will make the necessary referral to the project and then you just need to turn up on one of the project's regular workday.

Other Info: The project's award winning community gardens are a great way to meet a whole range of people in a beautiful, relaxing setting; from refugees to people with learning difficulties, to school pupils and local residents. Summer is also the best time to volunteer as the project organises lots of cooking sessions and it’s the time when most of the fruit and vegetables are ready to pick and eat!

More information about this project can be found in this project’s ‘Further Info’ folder located in the Project V Drop-In area.

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The Federation of Disabled People is a user led organisation that promotes independent living for all. The Federation works towards equality by inspiring disabled people to identify barriers and define solutions.

Volunteer Role: Accessible City Guide Volunteer (439) As a representative of the Federation you will visit local venues to conduct informal reviews on services and facilities around accessibility. You do this at a time convenient to you and can undertake the visit alone, or with another team member.

You write short reviews and submit your reviews to the Project Leader via e-mail, and your reviews will then be posted on the project’s website. This is an opportunity to have fun getting out and about, find out about accessibility in the City and let others know about this by publishing it in the project’s Accessible City Guide.

Volunteer Requirements: You need to have a wish to inform others about accessibility in Brighton & Hove; a willingness to travel across Brighton and Hove to conduct reviews; good communication skills as you will be representing the Federation to venue managers; a willingness to work independently; a commitment to promoting equality for disabled people; and an interest in local facilities and events.

Training Details: Training for the role involves an induction with the Project Leader and a meeting with some of the project’s current volunteers to learn about the ethos of the Federation, and what they are trying to achieve through the Accessible City Guide, and what sort of things to look for in a review. You will then be accompanied by one of the existing team on your first review, and feedback will be provided. Also, the project hold occasional team meetings and get-togethers to keep up-to-date with what everyone is up to; and you can access support via phone, e-mail or attending the project’s regular drop-in mornings.

Recruitment Schedule: All year round, no application deadline.

Volunteer Time Commitment: Very flexible, to be agreed at your induction. Ideally, a minimum of 1-2 reviews a month over the summer months.

Recruitment Process: Application form, informal interview, induction Other Info: “We’re a friendly team and are looking forward to having more volunteers to share the work and the fun!” More information about this project can be found in this project’s ‘Further Info’ folder located in the Project V Drop-In area.

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The Federation of Disabled People is a user led organisation that promotes independent living for all. The Federation works towards equality by inspiring disabled people to identify barriers and define solutions.

Volunteer Role: Delivery and Collections Volunteer (604) You will assist on the project’s Shopmobility scheme which hires out wheelchairs and mobility scooters to people with mobility issues to help them get out and about anywhere in Brighton & Hove. A full volunteer role description available from Project V.

Volunteer Requirements: You need to be able and confident to drive mobility scooters; have excellent communication skills; able to show commitment to the service and be reliable; be conscientious and emphatic to the needs of the customer without prejudice.

Training Details: Specific training on the mobility equipment.

Recruitment Schedule: Volunteers are needed all year round but the project has an increased need for volunteers over the busy summer months (Apr – Oct).

Volunteer Time Commitment: Ideally, you will be able to commit to a minimum of 2-4 hours per week for 2 months. Volunteering hours are from Monday to Friday, between 10am-5pm.

Recruitment Process: Application form, informal interview, induction and training on mobility equipment.

Other Info: “Volunteers always work with a member of staff and are always made to feel welcomed as part of the Shopmobility team.”

More information about this project can be found in this project’s ‘Further Info’ folder located in the Project V Drop-In area.

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Cancer Research UK is the largest volunteer-supported cancer research organisation in the world. The project works to cure cancer through research and treatment in its own labs and clinics as well as providing funding to other cancer experts. Cancer Research UK supports almost two thirds of the cancer research that is undertaken in the UK. Volunteer Role: Race For Life 2011 Volunteer (194) You will assist on the fund and awareness raising event ‘Race For Life 2011’. There are 8 volunteer roles available: Administration Marquee, Clear Down, Marshall, Meet & Greet, Set-up, Start & Finish Area, Welfare and Local Promotions Volunteer. Full details of each role are provided in this project’s ‘Further Info’ folder located in Project V’s Drop-In area.

Volunteer Requirements: Each role requires specific skills – fully detailed in the ‘Further Info’ folder – but all require volunteers to have good interpersonal and communication skills, enthusiasm and a willingness to work as part of a team.

Training Details: Volunteers participate in a pre-event briefing on the day of their volunteering.

Recruitment Schedule: From May until mid-June 2011.

Volunteer Time Commitment: There are two events that volunteers can assist with, both of which take place in Stanmer Park on the Lewes Road: Saturday 2nd July – the event starts at 2pm; and Sunday 3rd July, event starts at 11am. Depending on the volunteer role that you sign up for, you may be involved in one or both of these events, committing from 4-8 hours a day.

Recruitment Process: Online registration – Project V staff will direct you to the relevant details.

Other Info: Volunteers receive a volunteer t-shirt and light refreshments. More information about this project can be found in this project’s ‘Further Info’ folder located in the Project V Drop-In area.

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Fareshare Brighton & Hove supports the local community in fighting food poverty. They procure quality surplus food from the food industry that would otherwise go to landfill and redistribute it to front-line services in the area that cater for around 3,000 vulnerable people a week, predominately homeless. They rely heavily on volunteers to carry out the operations of their service and who help in the office. They are a fun and friendly charity who offer an essential service to the community.

Volunteer Role: Fundraising Assistant (587) Your role is to assist in the planning and completing of the project's fundraising activities. These include researching and cataloguing trusts and grant-giving bodies, filling out grant applications, managing individual giver database, and organising fundraising events.

Volunteer Requirements: Preferably some experience in office administration and fundraising; a commitment to equal opportunities, adherence to the corporate policies of FareShare and recognise the need for confidentiality for all. You need to be able to follow procedures, especially relating to food hygiene.

Training Details: You will receive an induction into the project.

Recruitment Schedule: All year round, there is no application deadline.

Volunteer Time Commitment: Length of time commitment will be agreed post interview but a minimum of 1 shift per fortnight for at least 3 months.

Recruitment Process: Submission of application form (available from Project V) followed by an invitation to an informal interview to discuss your involvement.

Other Info: More information about this project can be found in this project’s ‘Further Info’ folder located in the Project V Drop-In area.

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Fareshare Brighton & Hove supports the local community in fighting food poverty. They procure quality surplus food from the food industry that would otherwise go to landfill and redistribute it to front-line services in the area that cater for around 3,000 vulnerable people a week, predominately homeless. They rely heavily on volunteers to carry out the operations of their service and who help in the office. They are a fun and friendly charity who offer an essential service to the community.

Volunteer Role: Delivery Assistant (234) You will help to plan routes and delivery schedules and collect and deliver donated food to Community Members. As a driver you will get to go out and deal with a variety of community organisations as you deliver them food and drink supplies.

Volunteer Requirements: You need to hold a full, valid drivers licence and be aged over 25 yrs; a commitment to equal opportunities, adherence to the corporate policies of FareShare and recognise the need for confidentiality for all. You need to be able to follow procedures, especially relating to food hygiene Training Details: You will receive an induction into the project which includes a basic introduction to the principles of safe manual handling and food hygiene. The project also offers, on a case by case basis, their accredited training in Level 2 Food Hygiene & Principles of Manual Handling.

Recruitment Schedule: All year round, there is no application deadline.

Volunteer Time Commitment: Length of time commitment will be agreed post interview but a minimum of 1 shift per fortnight for at least 3 months.

Recruitment Process: Submission of application form (available from Project V) followed by an invitation to an informal interview to discuss your involvement.

Other Info: More information about this project can be found in this project’s ‘Further Info’ folder located in the Project V Drop-In area.

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Fareshare Brighton & Hove supports the local community in fighting food poverty. They procure quality surplus food from the food industry that would otherwise go to landfill and redistribute it to front-line services in the area that cater for around 3,000 vulnerable people a week, predominately homeless. They rely heavily on volunteers to carry out the operations of their service and who help in the office. They are a fun and friendly charity who offer an essential service to the community.

Volunteer Role: Depot Assistant (572) As a Depot Assistant you will ensure that the food that is donated is of an acceptable quality for redistribution and assist in counting and categorising the food.

Volunteer Requirements: You need to have a commitment to equal opportunities, adherence to the corporate policies of FareShare and recognise the need for confidentiality for all.

You need to be able to follow procedures, especially relating to food hygiene Training Details: You will receive an induction into the project which includes a basic introduction to the principles of safe manual handling and food hygiene. The project also offers, on a case by case basis, their accredited training in Level 2 Food Hygiene & Principles of Manual Handling.

Recruitment Schedule: All year round, there is no application deadline.

Volunteer Time Commitment: Length of time commitment will be agreed post interview but a minimum of 1 shift per fortnight for at least 3 months.

Recruitment Process: Submission of application form (available from Project V) followed by an invitation to an informal interview to discuss your involvement.

Other Info: More information about this project can be found in this project’s ‘Further Info’ folder located in the Project V Drop-In area.

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Fareshare Brighton & Hove supports the local community in fighting food poverty. They procure quality surplus food from the food industry that would otherwise go to landfill and redistribute it to front-line services in the area that cater for around 3,000 vulnerable people a week, predominately homeless. They rely heavily on volunteers to carry out the operations of their service and who help in the office. They are a fun and friendly charity who offer an essential service to the community.

Volunteer Role: Events Assistant (573) You will help out a variety of stalls, community events and awareness and fundraising events. This role would suit you if you have less time to commit and enjoy meeting the public and representing an organisation. The project has many fun events lined up over the coming months around the city where they need some friendly and enthusiastic volunteers to represent the organisation.

Volunteer Requirements: You need to have a commitment to equal opportunities, adherence to the corporate policies of FareShare and recognise the need for confidentiality for all.

You need to be able to follow procedures, especially relating to food hygiene Training Details: You will receive an induction into the project which includes a basic introduction to the principles of safe manual handling and food hygiene. The project also offers, on a case by case basis, their accredited training in Level 2 Food Hygiene & Principles of Manual Handling.

Recruitment Schedule: All year round, there is no application deadline.

Volunteer Time Commitment: Flexible, volunteering times are various, so you commit to the events that your circumstances permit.

Recruitment Process: Submission of application form (available from Project V) followed by an invitation to an informal interview to discuss your involvement.

Other Info: More information about this project can be found in this project’s ‘Further Info’ folder located in the Project V Drop-In area.

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Fareshare Brighton & Hove supports the local community in fighting food poverty. They procure quality surplus food from the food industry that would otherwise go to landfill and redistribute it to front-line services in the area that cater for around 3,000 vulnerable people a week, predominately homeless. They rely heavily on volunteers to carry out the operations of their service and who help in the office. They are a fun and friendly charity who offer an essential service to the community.

Volunteer Role: Office Assistant (575) You will assist with the project's administrative tasks in their office. Tasks include dealing with enquiries, answering the phone and organising mailouts. If you are looking for admin experience in the charity sector then this could be useful to you.

Volunteer Requirements: Ideally you will have some experience in office administration but it is not essential.

Training Details: You will receive an induction into the project which includes a basic introduction to the principles of safe manual handling and food hygiene. The project also offers, on a case by case basis, their accredited training in Level 2 Food Hygiene & Principles of Manual Handling.

Recruitment Schedule: All year round, there is no application deadline.

Volunteer Time Commitment: Length of time commitment will be agreed post interview but a minimum of 1 shift per fortnight for at least 3 months Recruitment Process: Submission of application form (available from Project V) followed by an invitation to an informal interview to discuss your involvement Other Info: More information about this project can be found in this project’s ‘Further Info’ folder located in the Project V Drop-In area.

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Nourish is a community farm based in Stanmer Park (right next to the Uni) that runs gardening groups with disadvantaged adults facing exclusion or barriers to employment or independent living. The project has nearly eight acres of land split into growing fields, wood land, scenic gardens and a sales yard.

Volunteer Role: Community Farm Volunteer (461) You will volunteer on the organic fruit and vegetable farm and supervised by staff, you will undertake a range of horticultural tasks on the farm and interact and support the service users so that they can also undertake gardening tasks. There are also social time and individual projects which can be led by you according to your particular skills or interests.

Volunteer Requirements: You need to enjoy working outdoors, be comfortable working as a member of a team made up of volunteers, service users and staff, and working professionally with vulnerable adults. A full volunteer role description is available from Project V. Training Details: You will receive an induction into the project and need to be available for supervision with the project, both group and individual.

Recruitment Schedule: This project recruits volunteers all year round so there is no application deadline.

Volunteer Time Commitment: There is no minimum time commitment but you need to commit to a regular session and let the project know if you need to take time off or miss a session.

Volunteering takes place on Tuesdays & Fridays 10am-4pm.

Recruitment Process: Submission of application form (available from Project V), interview and induction.

Applicant’s application forms will be acknowledged and then you will be invited to an interview when applicant numbers are sufficient to merit an interview session.

Other Info: More information about this project can be found in this project’s ‘Further Info’ folder located in the Project V Drop-In area.

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Moulsecoomb Neighbourhood Trust runs 3 childcare projects: a crèche, and after-school club and holiday playschemes. The crèche works with children aged 0-5yrs; the after-school and playschemes with 5-11yr olds.

Volunteer Role: Volunteer Playworker (605) You will assist on the project’s summer playscheme, working with 5-11yr olds, undertaking childcare duties and playwork e.g. organising and implementing safe and supported activities and ensuring that the children behave appropriately.

Volunteer Requirements: You need to have an interest in working with children, a commitment to inclusive play, patience and an understanding of behavioural difficulties. The project is keen to use any particular skills and interests you may have e.g. sports, arts, drama. You need to be fun loving, caring and have a commitment to keeping children safe.

Training Details: A full induction into the project and access to a 2 hour online safeguarding course.

Recruitment Schedule: Application deadline: July 8th, though there is some flexibility with this.

Volunteer Time Commitment: A minimum of one session (5-6 hours) for the duration of the scheme. Volunteering takes place from July 25th – August 19th, Monday to Fridays, 9.30am-3.30pm.

Recruitment Process: A letter/e-mail detailing your experience in childcare and your reasons for wanting to volunteer, Criminal Records Bureau check, induction. Your letter/e-mail will be acknowledged and you will be invited to a group induction when sufficient volunteer applicants have applied.

Other Info: More information about this project can be found in this project’s ‘Further Info’ folder located in the Project V Drop-In area.

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PROJECT V GREEN PROJECT We have organised a one-off, taster volunteering opportunity with the National Trust.

This is your chance to spend a day outdoors, hopefully in sunny weather (!), working alongside other students, doing something physically challenging and enjoyable.

The National Trust is Europe's most successful conservation movement, concerned with making a difference in conserving the environment and the UK's heritage On Monday11th July, from 9.15am – 3.45pm we will be volunteering with the National Trust at Devil’s Dyke where we will undertake path clearance and fencing tasks.

There are only 7 volunteer spaces available so don’t hesitate to book your place.

No experience is required, just enthusiasm and energy to get involved. You simply need to wear old clothes and strong footwear. Transport, lunch and work gloves will be provided.

Visit us in the Activities Centre, 1st Floor of Falmer House to book your place.

VOLUNTEERING BEYOND THE SUMMER Whilst we have detailed above the projects offering summer vacation volunteering opportunities, most of the projects registered with us offer year round volunteering opportunities. So, if you would like to consider volunteering beyond the summer vacation, go to www.sussexstudent.com/volunteering and check out our volunteering opportunities via the ‘Opportunity Search’ webpage (via ‘Info for Students’ on left-hand menu on our homepage). You can use the ‘Opportunity Search’ page to search for volunteering opportunities according to either the ‘Area’ that interests you e.g. children, health, refugees & asylum seekers, etc; or the ‘Activity that you wish to undertake e.g. computing, mentoring, sporting.

With over 200 volunteering opportunities available, there is plenty of choice and we can normally find something for everyone.

If you see something that you like the look of, make a note of the name of the Opportunity Name and Reference ID number, and get in touch with us to find out how you can get more information: Tel (01273) 873387 or projectv@sussex.ac.uk 17

Stand Out From The Crowd With SUSSEX PLUS Sussex Plus is a project run by the Careers and Employability Centre (CEC) for undergraduates where you develop your skills and create a multimedia web folio to showcase who you are and what you can do.

A web folio is like an online CV but offers much more than this – you can bring together your academic achievements, part-time work, volunteering and any other extra-curricular activities and life experience to illustrate them all in one place! Your web folio can include blogs, videos, scanned certificates, links, private space, assets, uploaded images, your electronic CV, reflections, thoughts and achievements.

So you can see it is a versatile tool that will enable you to keep track of where you are heading as you reflect upon what you are doing but will also provide you with an impressive web folio that you can send to employers or when applying for postgrad courses.

“The Sussex Plus initiative at the University of Sussex helped me to interpret and recognize the skills developed across my personal, work and academic life and present them in a coherent way through my Sussex Plus webfolio” Adam, Student.

We strongly encourage you to sign up to Sussex Plus. It’s very easy to get started.

Go to www.sussex.ac.uk/sussexplus to find out how you can register and/or contact CEC to find out about their next ‘Introduction to Sussex Plus’ session: Careers & Employability Centre Falmer House, University of Sussex Tel: (01273) 678429 careers@sussex.ac.uk

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