UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM GUILD OF STUDENTS National Student Volunteering & Employment Week
The week commencing the 20th February marks Volunteering England’s National Student Volunteering Week and the National Association of Student Employment Service’s (NASES) National Student Employment Week.
During this week the University of Birmingham Guild of Students will bring students and organisations together to raise awareness of student volunteering and the effect it has on the local, national and international community, as well as showcasing the opportunities on offer and raising the impact of part-time work on students’ employability.
Volunteering
Taking pride in and giving back to the community is an intrinsic part of modern student life and be it through local or national volunteering Birmingham students are making an impact. More than 1,800 volunteers represent students’ views to the
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University of Birmingham ensuring their voice is heard. Not only do volunteers have a positive impact on the student body but also on the local community. Through its relationship with community partners the Guild is able to offer over 300 opportunities for students to volunteer within local and national charities, such as the Acorns Hospice. The Guild also supports 800 students within a number of local student-led volunteering projects, they range from Kids Adventure to Conservation Volunteers who recently led over one hundred volunteers to clear up the Shire Country Park.
Martin Blamire, John Morris Jones Walkway Conservation Group comments: “Thank you and your vast team of willing volunteers for your help in literally transforming what was an untidy eyesore on the river Cole into a little gem… all 125 (or thereabouts) deserve a medal.” This is just a snapshot of some of the activities, schemes, groups and
projects Birmingham students are involved in. In the last academic year alone students volunteered for almost 70,000 hours. And, what does this all mean for students? Research conducted with volunteers revealed that 77% believe taking part in volunteering has increased their ability to lead and encourage others, with others citing it increases their ability to work as a team (73%), improves management and organisation skills (67%), and instils a sense of community (59%). Fliss Cross, Vice President (Activities & Development) at the Guild of Students comments: “Volunteering is an essential element of the student experience allowing students to develop personal and professional skills whilst having an impact on the wider community. Our students are accomplished fundraisers who utilise their skills to deliver a range of activities to those who are most need of or deserve it.”
Part-time Employment
Today, the reality for many students is that they need to work to cover
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