Why volunteer?

With 63% of students taking part in some form of formal voluntary activity since they have started university it is clear to see that Student Volunteering is a strong force for both students and communities. 95% of students who volunteer are driven to do so out of a desire to improve things or to help people. Volunteering enhances employability, with 51% of recent graduates under 30 years old in paid work saying that volunteering helped them secure a job (Bursting the Bubble: Students, Volunteering and the Community (2010)). 

The value of volunteering for students

Through involvement with community-based learning programmes and other initiatives, students can apply their learning to new contexts. Volunteering can also improve employability by developing skills that employers value. Volunteering can give greater confidence and self-esteem by providing opportunities for students to meet new people, make friends, and share in challenging and exciting new experiences.

These resources help tell the story and express the value of Student Volunteering and Student Volunteers

• Volunteer case studies
  Read about the experiences of a diverse range of Student Volunteers.
• Project case studies
  Read about the valuable projects that Student Volunteers are involved in.
• Quotes
  Read quotes giving support to Student Volunteering and the value of Student Volunteering Week.
• Ambassadors
  Look at who is lending their support for Student Volunteering Week 2012
• History of Student Volunteering
  Learn about the rich history of the Student Volunteering movement in this publication produced for Student Volunteering Week 2011.