Finding Volunteering

FINDING VOLUNTEERING 2020-2021 Top tips for sourcing opportunities while you are studying

Your future starts here at Winchester Make the most of your time at university and get involved with a range of activities to enhance your employability.

Volunteering whilst studying will add a breadth of valuable experiences and memories, in addition to developing your confidence and personal skills as an active citizen.

Consider the many benefits of volunteering Volunteering is an opportunity to contribute to your community and build real-world skills as part of your studies or in your spare time.

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Make a difference and enhance your active citizenship skills.

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Gain experience in an area of work you are considering for your future.

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Add a range of interpersonal skills and expertise to your CV and application forms.

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Get to know the charitable sector and roles within in it.

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Expand your networks and professional contacts.

Typical volunteering opportunities There are so many different meaningful projects you can get involved in. Take a look at CareerConnect and consider charity organisations like: ■

Spurgeons – welcoming visitors to HMP Winchester‘s visitor centre

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The Carroll Centre – supporting children & families in Stanmore

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MHA Live at Home Scheme – helping facilitate social groups for the elderly

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Trinity Winchester – getting involved in events and fundraising

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Tudor House Museum – engaging and educating visitors to this heritage site

‘The thing I have enjoyed most is putting my skills into a worthwhile cause. Knowing that I have taken a little bit of weight off the team is really rewarding. Volunteering at Simon Says has definitely widened my career prospects.’

Aisha Creative Writing Simon Says Child Bereavement Charity

10 Top Tips to help you find volunteering 1

Use the University’s Careers and Jobs platform, CareerConnect which advertises many volunteering opportunities in Winchester and the local region, and set your daily alert choices to volunteering

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Use the Get Involved button on the Intranet and click on ‘Volunteering’ for more information and ideas

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Follow the volunteering team on Facebook @UoWvolunteering, Twitter @_UoWvolunteers and Instagram @_uowvolunteers for all the latest updates

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You can volunteer with one of the many local or regional charities and community organisations. To find out more about extra-curricular volunteering and to discuss your ideas contact Nina Lazarski (Volunteering Coordinator) on nina.lazarski@winchester.ac.uk or volunteering@winchester.ac.uk

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You may also gain credits through your volunteering by taking the Volunteering Module as part of your degree. To find out more contact Naomi Irving (Volunteering Placement Coordinator) on naomi.irving@winchester.ac.uk

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Volunteer on campus via the Student Union – e.g. Fresher’s Crew, Conference Delegate, SU Executive Member. Visit: winchesterstudents.co.uk/volunteer

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Consider a student-led volunteering project through the Winchester Hub. It facilitates a range of projects for students either in care homes, schools, in the Youth Theatre or knitting group visit winchesterhub.org

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Use specialist volunteering websites such as volunteerwessex.org, charityjob.co.uk, hants.gov.uk/jobs/volunteering, cfirst.org.uk, do-it.org

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Many organisations advertise volunteering roles on their websites via a ‘Careers’ or ‘Volunteer with Us’ tab to apply directly. Or you can make a speculative application through sending an email outlining your interest, skills, and enthusiasm

10 Check whether the Winchester Employability Fund can help you recover any expenses that you incur during volunteering or unpaid placement.

Careers Service Support We’re a friendly team, dedicated to help you to prepare for your future, to explore your options, to find work or postgraduate study, develop connections and skills, or to start your own business.

CareerConnect is our Careers and Jobs Platform where you can: 1

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Book a careers appointment with your Faculty Employability Adviser to: ■

Explore different graduate career and study options

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Help you communicate the value of your achievements and skills

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Build strong online applications, profiles and statements

Book an appointment with a Volunteering Co-ordinator to: ■

Access support for module and extra-curricular volunteering

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Discuss ideas and information about relevant opportunities

Search for work and set your choices to be alerted of roles that suit you: ■

Part-time and seasonal opportunities

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Graduate programmes and full-time work

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Placements and volunteering opportunities

View and book to attend our workshops and employer events during the year: ■

Keep an eye on the range of events advertised on CareerConnect

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Beyond your degree – November 2020

Check out the resource and advice pages on a range of different topics

Visit us at the Careers and Opportunities Hub Open weekdays for advice Find jobs, volunteering, placements, and part-time work Check and update your CV Search for graduate roles and schemes and application advice Help yourself to our leaflets and booklets careers@winchester.ac.uk

@universityofwinchestercareers

@_UoWcareers

@_uowcareers