Reasons to volunteer
Not sure if volunteering is for you? Let us tell you more.
You'll make a real difference when you volunteer – and it’s not just about what you can do for others. Volunteers get a lot out of the experience too.
The feel-great factor
Volunteering is about giving your time to a good cause. You don't get paid, but you do get the chance to use your talents, develop new skills and scope out your career pathway. And on top of that volunteering supports all 5 of the NHS’ ways to wellbeing. So you can make a real difference to your own life as well as the communities around you.
Give your CV a boost
Employers value volunteering experience. A survey conducted by TimeBank and Reed.co.uk of 700 of the UK’s leading businesses showed that:
- 73% of employers would employ a candidate with volunteer experience over one without
- 94% believe that volunteering adds to skills
- 58% say that voluntary work experience can often be more valuable than experience gained in paid employment.
"By carrying out voluntary work, I am able to gain an insight into various types of childcare and child services. It also looks great on your CV, so I would recommend volunteering to everyone, no matter what their interests!"
Jennifer, BA(Hons) Early Childhood volunteered with Playbus
Get into work
It’s a great way to get work experience and have proof of skills for you CV, portfolios and interviews. If you’re not sure which direction your degree will take you then why not try out a few options through volunteering - to get a taster of different professions. Volunteer Managers will often give you a reference but they can also open doors for you to meet people that will become your professional network.
Improve your confidence
You’ll learn and do things that you might not normally get the chance to. It'll make you feel good and is a real confidence booster.
Catherine's experience
Catherine, BSc (Hons) Nursing (Learning Disabilities), talks to us about taking part in Project Zulu and how it helped her gain confidence and transferable skills.
Improve your health
While you’re busy giving back to your community, you could also be getting healthier! Research has found that volunteering can do everything from helping you to sleep better to boosting your immune system.
Meet new people
Volunteering with people who are as passionate about a cause as you are is a great way to connect. It's likely you'll meet people from different cultures and backgrounds, uniting for a shared cause.
More reasons to volunteer
What you will get out of it
Whilst you’ll want to make a real difference when you volunteer, it’s not just about what you can do for others. Volunteers get a lot out of the experience too. At UWE Bristol Volunteering we believe that good volunteering is rewarding for everyone involved.
It could count towards your studies
Volunteering can be a great option for a short-term placement, work experience module or work-based learning. Read our placements information to find out if this is part of your course.
It's free
All of your out-of-pocket expenses, including travel, should be refunded by the organisation that you volunteer with, so make sure you ask them how to reclaim your expenses. If an organisation is unable to meet your expenses, then we can help.
Please contact the Civic and Community Engagement Team at volunteering@uwe.ac.uk to find out more.
The UWE Volunteer Award
The UWE Volunteer Award celebrates your incredible and invaluable contributions to the community.
For the third year, we have the pleasure of celebrating, acknowledging, and expressing gratitude to the exceptional and dedicated volunteers who have made positive contributions throughout the academic year.
Receiving an award not only adds value to your CV but also enhances your employment prospects. It instils a sense of purpose and accomplishment within you, and it becomes an experience that you can proudly highlight during any future job interview. This is a special award for UWE Bristol volunteers and two winners will receive £500 each.
A small awards ceremony will take place on Wednesday 29 May in the Career Lounge, on Frenchay Campus. The ceremony will provide us with an opportunity to show our appreciation and extend well-deserved recognition and awards to these individuals.
Eligibility criteria
- You must be a registered student in the academic year 2023/24.
- You must have volunteered either at UWE Bristol, in your local community or with a registered charity during this academic year (2023/24).
How to apply
Applications will be open from Monday 8 April 2024 until Wednesday 8 May 2024. If you have any questions contact the Civic and Community Engagement Team at volunteering@uwe.ac.uk.
The UWE Volunteer Award is funded by Ellucian, a software company that provides technology services to Higher Education institutions.