Take the plunge…volunteer - it's Student Volunteering Week


Student Volunteering Week started on Monday and runs for the rest of the week ending on Sunday.  This is the 18th year the week has run in the UK, last year students and staff from over 60 Higher and Further Education Institutions led over 300 events.

Student Volunteering Week celebrates student volunteering in the following ways:

  • Improves student wellbeing
  • Develops students' employability
  • Contributes positively to the wider and local community life

If going green or working with wildlife is your thing then have a look at our volunteering section for some ideas of what you might be able to do during the week - or beyond.  There are volunteering opportunities ranging from an hour a month to full time placements, for this week look at the list of Organisations to find one in your area who might welcome some assistance.  The most suitable section for this week is the Practical Work Days; this is when you spend a day or more helping to manage an area, conserve a species, improve habitats and learn the necessary skills 'on the job'.  Tasks range from practical countryside conservation including general habitat maintenance and creation to specific management such as pulling up Himalayan balsam, an invasive alien species that is difficult to eradicate, to more gentle gardening and horticulture and general clean up tasks such as clearing up fly-tipped rubbish or a litter pick. Rewards come in the form of practical skills gained along with a little training, a day of friendly companionship, the satisfaction of a job well done and maybe even a baked potato (if you pick the right day!).  Find one here.

Student Volunteering Week is a unique week-long opportunity where the whole of the country will be getting involved offering a chance for organisations to showcase projects and events and for students there is the opportunity to gain skills, learn best practice, have a go at a 'job' to see if it might be right for them long term, and to make vital contacts for future networking.


Student Volunteering Week have written an article all about the week for this week's Focus edition, they've taken this year's tag line as their lead in: Take the plunge…volunteer.