Volunteering and outreach
Outreach provides capacity building and awareness raising activities to areas of the community who might not otherwise have knowledge or access to University.
Volunteering is any activity that involves spending time, unpaid, doing something that aims to benefit the environment or community. Opportunities include practical and skills-based volunteering, as well as remote and one-off volunteering opportunities.
You can reflect on, record, and develop the skills you are learning through volunteering in My Skills.
Examples of the types of opportunities available include:
Volunteering in schools
There are lots of opportunities for you to make a difference to young people in the local community. Volunteering opportunities might involve leading sports coaching sessions, being a tutor or simply acting as a role model to someone from a similar background to you.
Volunteering with the elderly
Isolation can be a big problem for elderly people living alone in the community. Volunteering with the elderly might involve visiting an elderly person in their home to provide company or helping to organise social events such as trips or tea parties.
Volunteering outdoors on environmental projects
Bristol was the European Green Capital in 2015. There still exists a legacy of sustainability in the city, and the University recently declared a climate emergency. So if you like being active and taking part in practical activities, there are many ways to get involved. From cleaning the Bristol harbourside to community gardening to helping to maintain the city parks and green spaces.
Volunteering for a cause
You may want to volunteer for a cause that you are passionate about already, or you may want to explore and discover new causes. In the past there have been opportunities to support sustainable fashion, tackle homelessness, reduce food waste, conserve hedgehogs and fundraise for health charities.
Volunteering resonated with me because I get to teach people in the field I'm interested in. You need a lot of patience to work with kids, you need integrity to volunteer – the responsibility lies with you. It forces you to become a role model, which is really cool!
Bristol SU
Bristol SU supports a variety of student led volunteering projects which make a difference to the local community and fellow students. The Bristol SU volunteering team can also support you to establish new student led volunteering projects.
Volunteer with Bristol Hub
Bristol Hub is a local branch of the national charity, Student Hubs. They work in partnership with the University of Bristol to support students to tackle social challenges, learn about issues and connect with each other.
Bristol Abroad
The Bristol Abroad Team support current students to spend a year or semester abroad or to explore short-term international opportunities such as volunteering abroad.
Volunteering with the Global Lounge
The Global Lounge offers many volunteering opportunities that enable students to gain a range of transferable skills to support them in the future. Some volunteering hours also go towards the Bristol PLUS Award.
Volunteering through your Careers Service
Your Careers Service advertises ongoing voluntary opportunities with organisations, and one off commitments at community events, including our popular monthly City Challenges.