2. What is Volunteering?
I am sure you're all aware what it means, but in our eyes, Volunteering is when you give up your time freely to engage with a local cause, event or project. You can volunteer from a few minutes up to your entire degree with a variety of areas and groups.
At Sheffield Hallam Students' Union we run a wide range of projects that vary in their level of commitment. We have 5 main areas for you to get involved with:
Community Partners - Our Community Partners programme seeks to match students with hundreds of charities and community organisations in Sheffield, there's a huge range of projects you can take part in ranging from fundraising to gardening
One-Offs - Our One-Offs allow you help out the communtiy in a single day with no long term commitments. We've previously been dog walking, visited residential homes to knit with the older people and provided stewards for big events like Doc/Fest and Tramlines Festival.
Team Projects - Join a group of other students to design and deliver sessions in a variety of areas. We have projects around mental health, education and sports.
Arts and Culture - Our arts and culture projects allow you to get great experience in the arts sector. You don't need to be an artist to take part, there are opportunities for everyone.
Your Own Project - Don't like what we've got on offer? Bring us a new idea and we'll help you get it off the ground!
We have a dedicated staff team on hand to make sure you are getting the most out of your opportunity; we recruit volunteers year round and train and support you whilst you volunteer. We have a student committee that organise regular socials so you can meet other volunteers and we have an awards scheme including a presentation evening at the end of every year to celebrate the hard work you've put in.

3. Some of Our Projects AFC Unity Assist Sheffield SAVTE
AFC Unity is a women's football club looking for students to help out in a variety of roles. From Sports Psychologists to accounting and finance assistance to more physical roles, you can get involved in the running of an exciting and innovative Football Club.
The Employment Plus project will assist people getting back into employment & volunteering opportunities by offering a one to one service to access universal Job match develop CV's; set up accounts, and understand the on line government provision to help get back into employment. This is great for anyone interested in careers, helping people in need or advice roles.
The Sheffield Association for the Voluntary Teaching of English are recruiting volunteers to assist with language learning for refugees and asylum seekers who have recently arrived in Sheffield. SAVTE volunteers make a real difference to people who are sometimes very isolated and socially excluded. This role could help develop cultural awareness, communication and language teaching skills

4. Benefits to Others So why should you volunteer?
The impact a volunteer can have on another person or a project can be immense, and in some cases life changing.
Whether this is by sharing your interests with school children, befriending young adults with autism, helping to host tea parties with the elderly or events stewarding a charity concert: the possibilities are endless. We are often inundated with the positive feedback from parents, participants and partners- and this is all thanks to our dedicated volunteers.
For all of our volunteers we want them to think about development: not only for themselves but also for others. How can you as a volunteer have a positive impact on others? How can you improve their lives and prospects while also developing yourself?

5. Benefits to Self
Of course, volunteering is not just about benefiting others.
Volunteering is a great opportunity to be more than your degree and develop yourself outside of your course. Whatever opportunity you eventually pick, you will be able to develop a multitude of skills, have amazing experiences and meet new people. The possibilities are endless and you will be supported throughout your experience with training to further develop you as well as other opportunities to add to your skills.

6. So how can you get volunteering?
Step one- Get on our website and create a volunteer profile. From here you can search and apply for all of our opportunities online.
Step two- After you have submitted your application form to us, you will be invited to speak to a member of volunteering staff. This is an informal meeting and lets us get to know you, what interests you and why you want to volunteer. From this we will help identify the right role for you and get you on your way to volunteering.
Step three- After you have been placed on a specific project you will be required to attend a volunteer induction where you will find out more about the benefits of volunteering as well as important information about expenses, health and safety and more!
It all starts on our website hallamstudentsunion.org/volunteering

7. @SHSUVolunteer | SHSU Volunteering
Thank You And Contacts
Thanks for having us, we can't wait to see how you're going to make your mark on Sheffield this year! If you'd like any more information you can find us on Facebook and Twitter or drop us an at
My name is ____ and you can find my contact details on our website.