Volunteering Information Session October 2012 Baljinder Rana Volunteering Activities Officer

Who are we ? The Team Baljinder Rana – Volunteering Activities Officer Rafina Bi – Volunteering Activities Assistant Stephen Heslegrave - Outreach Assistant Louise Richardson - Outreach Co-ordinator Contact us Web: Drop in: South Wing 105 (next to Careers) Open Monday to Friday, 9.30 am to 4.30 pm

Session programme Why volunteer Types of volunteering we offer Volunteering in Schools Volunteering with Charities One-off volunteering opportunities Next steps Q & A

Why Volunteer ? Develop transferable skills Increase your employability Receive specialist training Gain specific experience in a field of work you are interested in Develop skills in interacting with different groups of people Meet new people Certification Gain personal satisfaction/rewarding experience from volunteering and helping others Break from the routine of study

What We Offer Volunteering in Schools: Student Tutoring Numeracy in Nechells E-mentoring Volunteering with Charities One-off Volunteering projects Student Volunteer Week – 11 th - 15 th February 2013

Volunteering in Schools What is it? Supporting local school pupils with their academic studies Improving academic attainment of pupils Raising aspirations of pupils Proving to be a positive role model for pupils Supporting the classroom teacher. Why do it? Gain experience of a school and classroom environment Work with young people Great experience for aspiring teachers Projects tend to be more long-term Commitment is essential

Volunteering in Schools Opportunities available Student Tutoring: A long running volunteering project, taking place over 10 weeks in term 2. Aston university students volunteer for 3 hours a week in a local school supporting young people with their academic studies in the classroom. Numeracy in Nechells: 5 week programme which begins in term two where Aston university students facilitate a numeracy programme in a local primary school - culminating in a competitive final to be held at the university. E-mentoring: Aston University Students mentor post 16 students who are considering applying to university. Aston university students act as a positive role model; sharing experiences of applying to university and supporting with revision skills.

Volunteering in Schools Opportunities by school type Type of SchoolVolunteering Project PrimaryStudent Tutoring Numeracy in Nechells SecondaryStudent Tutoring Birmingham 2013 – Business Challenge Engineering Enterprise Post-16Student Tutoring E-mentoring Special NeedsStudent Tutoring

Volunteering in Schools How it works StageApplication Process 1Application form Deadline is 26 th October at 3.30pm 2Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check From W/C 5th November 3Informal English language assessment (if required) Early November 4Compulsory training session Depends on scheme selection 5Pre Introductory Visit After January exams 6Volunteering in Schools begins! Term two

Volunteering in Schools What is the commitment? You must Be prepared to commit to the full length of the volunteering programme Arrange time slot for CRB check and or Informal language assessment Attend a compulsory training session Maintain regular contact with the SVO office Complete timesheets and a reflective log to be submitted at the end of the programme. We will Match and organise placements Provide specialist training, support and encouragement for all volunteers in schools before and during placement Reimburse travel costs from the university to placement (Public transport) Act as referees Provide University certification for completion of the scheme

Volunteering with Charities Some of the charities we work with.... And many more!!! The full list is available on our website If the charity you want to support is not on the website, please get in touch.

Volunteering with Charities How it works Positions vary from charity to charity Think about what role you would like to fulfil, and then think of the charity. For example... Would you prefer to be office based, or out in the community? Do you prefer working with younger or older people? How much time can you commit? Remember, it’s your decision. The SVO office acts as a broker service for charities. Not directly managed by us therefore there may be different recruitment procedures, e.g. : Application / Interview / References Full support by the SVO office is still provided, and certification is still available.

Volunteering with Charities How to gain accreditation In order to have your charity volunteering recognised at Aston University, you must take the following steps: Let us know who you plan to volunteer with Pick up an induction checklist – to be completed and returned to office after your introduction visit Complete timesheets - hand in at the end of placement or before May to receive university certification Complete an end of placement evaluation Keep in regular contact with the SVO office

Volunteering with Charities Our promise The Student Volunteering Office will... Support all volunteers before during and after their placement Offer support, information and feedback Provide training Respect, value and listen to the needs of all volunteers. Provide information on organisations that offer volunteer placements. Ensure that all placements are safe locations for students to be volunteering

One-off volunteering: A great way to volunteer without the regular commitment! We aim to provide at least two one-off volunteering opportunities per term. We advertise for events that are taking part in in and around Birmingham that require volunteers. We also organise our own one-off events that take place on campus. Sign up to our newsletter for regular one- off updates!

One-off volunteering: Upcoming events – off campus Birmingham Great Run – Sunday 21 st October Variety of opportunities available Cancer Research UK – Sunday 21st October Cheering point volunteer Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice – Ongoing one offs The Great Elvis Walk Sunday 4 th November - Fundraising to support the work of the hospice Cancelled. And many more to come! If you’re interested, get in touch –

Student Volunteer Week 11 th to 15 th February 2013 Student Volunteer Week is a national week of volunteering activity which is endorsed by Volunteering England. The SVO office organises and manages a series of one-off events during the week to give you a taster of volunteering. Typical volunteer events include: Conservation projects Working with a charities Redecoration projects Volunteer fair Supporting young people If you have an idea for an event that you would like to see happening please let us know.

In Summary... We can support you in volunteering: In a school With a charity On a One-off event For Volunteering in Schools pick up an application form today. For charities, visit our website or us. Slides and all other resources will be available to download on our website. Sign up to our newsletter for all the latest opportunities and news here.here

Any Questions? Deadline for Volunteering in Schools applications: Friday 26 th October at 3.30pm SW105