For large print or other versions, please contact: volunteer@src.gla.ac.

uk

No part of this publication may be reproduced or stored in a retrieval system

or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, recording
or otherwise without prior written permission of the University of Glasgow
Students’ Representative Council, whose work is c 2009.
 Volunteer
with the Student Volunteer Support Service

Introduction 4

Volunteer in Schools 5-8

Modern Languages; Mandarin Hub; Second Language, First Aid
Refugee Tutoring

Volunteer with Sports 9

Sports Coaching; Splash

Help the Elderly - Buddy a Granny 10

Nursing Homes and Sheltered Housing; Lunch Clubs

Help the Homeless 11

Help Refugees 12

Work with Students 13

Language Café

Nightline 14

Clubs and Societies 15-16

Student Volunteers Abroad (SVA); Student Action for Refugees
(STAR); Students for Kids International Project (SKIP)

Paid Summer Placements 17

Find a Solution

Q&A 18-19
Time; Experience; Commitment; Travelling; Disclosure

Contact Us 20
Introduction Student volunteering covers a large
range of activities and projects:
Getting a job after University isn’t there truly is something out there
easy. More and more employers are for everyone.
looking for graduates who have
been involved in student life beyond Why get involved? Good question.
their academic study. Where can you
Have a think about why you came
get this invaluable experience? Part-
to University in the first place.
time jobs are often hard to come by
and don’t always bear much relation • To get a degree?
to your career plans. It’s tough.
There must be more to it than that.
• To better your job prospects?
• To learn new skills?
“Volunteering isn’t • To meet new people?
just about the work • To have a laugh?
you do, but the
• To experience something different?
experience you have
in doing it. Being Volunteering with the SRC can help
you to do all of these and allow
involved has helped you to make a difference in your
me grow as a person, local community and build your
employability skills. Volunteering
meet new people, can also be a great way to escape
and develop skills I the ‘West End Bubble’ and see a
can apply to various different side of the city.

other areas of my
life.”
Samantha Ferguson
2nd year, English Literature

What about Volunteering?

“No thanks,” I hear you say, “I don’t
really fancy having to sift through
jumble in a charity shop.” But there’s
a lot more to it than that. Successful Find a Solution students
and the Chancellor Sir Kenneth Calman

4
Volunteer in Schools
As a volunteer, you’ll be heading along
to Primary, Secondary or Additional
Support Needs schools to help the
pupils with lessons. You will not be
expected to lead any classes (since
by law you can’t actually be left in
charge of a class) but you will work
with small groups of children or
on a one-to-one basis with them.
Whatever the subject – from English
to Chemistry to Geography or Drama
– we can (usually) help.
Why get Involved?
Many previous volunteers have
found this to be a great way of
getting invaluable experience in
the classroom before they apply for
teaching courses. The Faculty of
Education is very supportive of the
scheme, and students are offered
the chance to attend an induction
session by students studying the four
year BEd (Bachelor of Education)
course in the first and second
semesters.
You may take part with no intention
of becoming a teacher. This is a great
way to improve your interpersonal
and communication skills (if you’ve
ever stood up in front of a classroom
full of teenagers, you’ll know what
we mean) and put what you’ve learnt
into practice.
Modern Languages
The SRC is also able to give language
students and native speakers of
French, Spanish and German the
chance to practice their skills in local
schools. As with the other subjects
that students can volunteer with,
you won’t be expected to teach a
whole class, but with many Glasgow
schools now offering languages
from P1 onwards, there is a great
deal that you can do to impart your
knowledge.
Whether you’re brushing up on the
basics before your finals or want some
prep before a jaunt to France (or
Spain, Portugal...), this is a great way
of getting that additional practice.
5
Additional Support Needs “I enjoy volunteering
Glasgow has a large number of because it allows
highly specialist Additional Support
Needs (formerly known as Special
me to make lots of
Educational Needs) schools and new friends and
units that allow children and young helps to improve
people with a range of disabilities to
receive a high standard of education. the communication
The work that you’ll be doing as a between Chinese
volunteer will depend on the nature
of the school that you’re placed at, as
and UK culture”
the schools will be one of (amongst Ye Yang
others): MAcc

• MLDs - Primary & Secondary

Schools for pupils with Moderate
Learning Difficulties As with mainstream schools, you’ll
be working with the pupils in small
• CLDs - Schools for pupils with
groups or on a one-to-one basis.
Complex Learning Difficulties
The range of activities can vary from
• HVIs - Schools for pupils with assisting with English or Maths to
Hearing and Visual Impairment music therapy.

6
Mandarin Hub
If you’re a Chinese student at the
University of Glasgow, then the SRC
have teamed up with Hillhead High
School to give volunteers a chance
to work at the Mandarin Hub that is
being launched there. Working with
a Mandarin Teacher, you’ll be helping
with displays, dancing, language
classes and to launch events.

The aim of this is to help introduce Helping at Hillhead High’s Mandarin Hub
local school pupils to Chinese culture,
and who better than students from
that part of the world to pass on your Second Language, First Aid
knowledge and experience of the If you’re a Polish student at the
culture! University of Glasgow, then take
advantage of the SRC teaming up
,(-国1学0= with Glasgow University’s Polish
Society and schools across Glasgow
SRC  HILLHEAD to give volunteers a chance to help
学将会$  Polish children with their lessons and
offer Second Language, First Aid.
MANDARIN HUB
 72
+会
Many schools have a large number of
Polish children whose first language
学-2汉语6师:= isn’t English, and as a result they
帮学0/=#/8;= sometimes struggle to keep up with
协6师语9课= the rest of the class. Volunteers from
Poland or Eastern Europe can help
举办5.动
to make sure that the children don’t
fall behind and can achieve their full
这项32'(为当 potential by ensuring that they’re
able to understand what’s being
学0绍国&= taught. Volunteers are also offered
)将!为传%4识 the chance to help run after-school
and homework clubs at schools
经验27
across Glasgow which can be a real
"们*2< benefit to local Polish communities.

Drugi język, pierwsza pomoc

Jesteś polskojęzycznym studentem
na University of Glasgow? Chciałbyś
zostać wolontariuszem?

7
SRC wraz z Glasgow University Polish
Society chciałyby zaproponować Ci
wyjątkową szanse pomagania polskim
dzieciom uczącym się w Glasgow.
Dzieci polskich imigrantów stanowią
dzisiaj znaczny procent uczniów w
Brytyjskich szkołach. Jednak, jako
że ich ojczystym językiem nie jest
angielski, często nie radzą sobie z
nauką tak dobrze jak ich rówieśnicy.
Właśnie wolontariusze tacy jak Ty
mogą pomóc im osiągnąć pełen
potencjał, ułatwiając im zrozumienie
nauczycieli oraz tematów zajęć.
Wolontariusze będą również
mieć szanse prowadzenia zajęć
pozalekcyjnych w całym mieście.
Jeśli chcesz zrobić coś dla polskiej
społeczności w Glasgow, jest to
projekt dla Ciebie!
“I enjoy volunteering
because it allows me
to make the most of
being at Uni and meet
lots of different people.
It’s good to be able to
focus on something
other than studies.
I can gain invaluable
experience in many
different areas.”
Sarah Smith
2nd year, English Literature
8
Refugee Tutoring
Similar to the Second Language,
First Aid programme, there are also
opportunities to help children from
refugee families with language
barrier problems. In this project
you will be helping to make sure
that the children don’t fall behind
with their studies and that they
can achieve their full potential
by ensuring that they’re able to
understand the teacher and what is
being taught.
Where and When?
We have links with over 25 schools
across Glasgow and Renfrew – from
Hillhead to Hampden and from
Yoker to Yorkhill: there’s plenty
of scope to see a different side of
the city. We’ll ask you to commit
one morning or afternoon per
week for ten weeks. If you want to
commit more time, many previous
volunteers have been able to
arrange a more regular placement
or get some experience in a range
of schools.
Volunteer
with Sports
With a significant emphasis being
placed on leading a healthy lifestyle
and helping young people engage
in physical activity, there really isn’t
a better time to start thinking about
getting involved by volunteering
in sport. And, with the Glasgow
Commonwealth Games in 2014 just
around the corner, there are plenty
of opportunities available through
the SRC thanks to support from
Culture and Sport Glasgow.
Sports Coaching
Open to all students, the scheme
allows you to get involved in a
variety of Sports Clubs across the city.
Whatever your sport – Gymnastics,
Football, Hockey, even Table Tennis –
if you think that you can help young
people get more active then there’s
something here for you. Even if you
don’t think that you’re really up
to a ‘coaching’ standard quite yet,
there are still plenty of opportunities
available, including helping out
trained coaches at sports clubs to run
their events or volunteering at one of
the numerous sporting events run in
Glasgow during the year.
Once you’ve signed up to a volunteer
programme, in addition to helping
out in the sport of your choice
you’re also offered the chance to
attend workshops on areas such
as Safeguarding and Protecting
Children; How to Coach Sport
Effectively; and Analysing Your
Coaching Action Plan.
All of this looks great on the CV, and
also helps if you’re thinking about
pursuing Sports Coaching or even
Teaching as a career.
Splash
‘Splash’ offers you the chance to
help out in swimming classes for
children with additional support
needs. As a Splash volunteer you do
not need any previous experience
or training other than being able
to swim since you will be working
under the supervision of a qualified
swimming coach. Volunteers are
offered an introductory session with
a Disability Awareness Officer from
Culture and Sport Glasgow, who will
go over the basics of working with
children with disabilities.
“I met most of my friends
through volunteering.
It’s been a defining part
of my University career.”
Chris Millar, 4th year, History
Where and When?
As Splash is run during PE classes
organised through Additional Support
Needs schools, then it takes place
during school hours (9am to 3pm,
Monday to Friday), and these can take
place at council-run pools across the
City. The Sports Coaching programme
also takes place at council-run
facilities across Glasgow, but you’re
able to volunteer with these in the
evenings or at weekends.
9
Help the Elderly
– Buddy a Granny
If volunteering with kids isn’t your
thing then we also have a number
of roles available for working with
Glasgow’s elderly folk. These roles
range from helping out at lunch
clubs to slightly more challenging
work in Dementia Units, so whatever
your reasons for getting involved
there are plenty of opportunities
to offer a friendly ear and some
company to the residents, and to put
a smile on the faces of elderly people
in the local community.
Help to put a smile on the faces of local residents
Of course, ‘helping the elderly’ is
a general phrase and you may be
involved in a variety of activities
depending on what you choose
to do. It’s worth noting that at no
point will you be expected to care
or look after any residents, as that’s
the job of paid staff. You’ll be taking
part in activities that the care homes
run or helping with trips that they’ve
arranged for their residents.
10
Nursing Homes and
Sheltered Housing
The SRC have developed a
partnership with Bield Housing
Associations which gives you the
chance to volunteer in a number
of roles with them, ranging from
helping as a befriender in their
Sheltered Housing complexes to
helping out with Residential and
Nursing Dementia homes.
Contact the Elderly
With the help of this local charity,
students are able to visit residents in
their own homes: many residents are
housebound and you’ll be providing
them with some much needed
company.
Lunch Clubs
You’ll be helping out at lunch clubs
that are organised by local community
groups in Hyndland on Wednesday
and Friday afternoons.
Forget Me Not
This is for students looking for
something a bit more challenging
and who are able to visit someone in
a care home or hospital and brighten
their day. We’ve teamed up with
Alzheimer Scotland to give students
a five day training programme on
how to relate to the person rather
than their illness and subsequent
opportunities to put this training
into practice. Staff are available at
all times to help support you.
Help the Homeless
Glasgow University Service to the
Homeless is a scheme that offers
students the opportunity to help
homeless people living on the
streets of Glasgow. With thousands
of people who are sleeping rough
or at risk of sleeping rough in the
city every year, you can really help to
make a difference in people’s lives
and help to provide an invaluable
service to them when they’re going
through a difficult time.
GUSH currently assists with the
Glasgow Simon Community Soup
Kitchen in Glasgow city centre,
where you’ll provide food and hot
drinks to the service users and have
the opportunity to chat with them.
You’ll be offered training on best
practice and what to expect when
you start volunteering, and all
volunteers are welcome to attend
further vocational training courses
run by the Simon Community.
“I spent two and a
half years volunteering
and I got some great
transferable skills and
made some friends
who I will always keep
in touch with.”
Chris Hall
4th year, Computing Science
You’ll also be welcome to get
involved in a more organisational
role with this and with other events
run by the Simon Community.
Where and when?
GUSH takes place on a Wednesday
night in Glasgow City Centre, although
you will only need to do one shift a
month.
11
 The particular participants in this
project are refugee and asylum
seeker medical professionals, and
need to attain a high level of English to
practice medicine in the UK. Although
the Doctors are aiming to register
to practice medicine in the UK,
conversation need not be medically
based - the only requirement for
volunteers is that they be enthusiastic
conversation partners. The aim is not
to teach anyone how to speak English,
but simply to engage in conversation
with them so that they can improve
their confidence, practice their
spoken language skills and perhaps
tutor them in areas that they may
be having problems with.

Where and when?

Help Refugees
As well as refugee tutoring in schools,
we also have The English for Doctors
scheme, which aims to increase
participant Doctors’ confidence in
conversational English.
Meetings take place in a social
environment, such as the John
McIntyre Café, 1a The Square or the
Atrium Café, and you’ll be asked to
meet with the Doctors for two hours
a week.

“Volunteering at University has given lots more skills

than can be taught in a classroom. I've met loads of
new friends too and the experience I've gained will be
invaluable in the future. In fact whenever I go for an
interview, the volunteering aspect is what usually gets
the company interested in what I've got. It has certainly
made me a better person with all the skills I've learned
and people I've met.”
Ciaran Owens, 4th year, Computing Science

12
“Volunteering is is also the possibility that this can
priceless because turn into language exchange as you
can get to learn a few words from
everyone gains from another language or get help with a
it. You can help others language you’re studying.
while learning new
Where and when?
skills you might not As with English for Doctors, meetings
get elsewhere.” take place in a social environment,
such as the John McIntyre Café, 1a
Gill Turnbull
The Square or the Atrium Café, and
Postgraduate
you’ll be asked to meet with the
European Studies
International Student for an hour or
two each week.

Language Café
Work With Students As part of the Conversational English
programme, you’re also invited to
It may surprise you to hear that there come along to one of our Language
are also a number of volunteering Cafés. If you’re an International
opportunities right here on campus. Student looking for help with your
English, a Language Student looking
Conversational English for extra practice or just a native
Programme speaker wanting to learn more about
other cultures, we’re here to help.
Many international students at
the University of Glasgow require
support to help them improve their
English Language Skills. We’re
looking for student tutors who are
confident with their English to meet
with them for an hour or so every
week and chat over a coffee.

It has been shown that regular

practice with a native speaker is a
great way to increase participants’
confidence. The aim is not to teach
anyone how to speak English but The Language Café gives you the
simply to engage in conversation chance to be paired-up with other
with them so that they can practice students and get the help you’re
their spoken language skills. There looking for.

13
Nightline
A confidential Information, Listening
and Email service, run by trained
students in conjunction with the
SRC, from 7pm to 7am each night
during term time. As a Nightline
volunteer you’ll be taking calls and
emails from other students, giving
them information and helping them
through problems that they might
be having. Volunteers should be
aware that Nightline is not an
Advice or Counselling service, but
the nature of the work that you’ll
be doing ensures that volunteering
for Nightline is a good way of
“There are so many
opportunities for
volunteering at
Glasgow University.
Helping out has
helped me to boost
my confidence and
encouraged me to get
much more involved
with University life
in general.”
James Harrison
2nd year, Politics
14
getting some experience if you’re
thinking about a career in this area.
All volunteers are given training and
support on how to take calls and use
active listening techniques.
You are right for Nightline if:
• you are a good listener
• are able to empathise with
other students
• have an interest in voluntary
work
• enjoy meeting and working
with new people
• can work as part of a team
• can respect confidentiality
and anonymity
Where and when?
Nightline is based in a self-contained
University-owned flat, so it is a safe
and comfortable space to work from
and there is an opportunity to sleep,
do Uni work or watch TV during
shifts, so it’s not like working in a
call centre. You’ll be asked to do one
shift per fortnight.
Clubs and Societies
The SRC also has a number of projects
organised by student volunteers who
develop and run their own schemes
with support from the SRC.
Student Volunteers
Abroad
SVA offer university students
in Glasgow the opportunity to
get involved in community and
environmental work in developing
countries during their summer break.
SVA offers opportunities around the world
“Volunteering has
been so much more
than a couple of extra
lines on my CV. The
knowledge that you've
made a difference
feels like an amazing
achievement.”
Morven Boyd
5th year, French
Spanish and Catalan
They work with local organisations
on sustainable projects that help
to provide long-term assistance in
dealing with local issues ranging from
HIV/AIDS education and awareness in
South Africa to soil erosion in Nepal.
They aim to promote awareness
amongst students about the local
social, environmental and health
issues that affect the developing
world and to encourage cultural links
and exchange.
They also have further projects in
a wide range of other countries
including Cambodia, Malawi, India,
Ecuador and Senegal.
15
“I didn’t realise I would
have so much fun
volunteering! I’ve met
some brilliant people,
and it’s made me really
think about teaching
as a career option.”
Joseph Rodgers
2nd year, Engineering
Students for Kids
International Projects
SKIP
SKIP is a charity run by students,
working towards sending healthcare
professional students from
Universities in the UK to work with
children in developing countries. SKIP
Glasgow was set up in 2005, and is
run by a twenty-member committee.

The Glasgow branch have recently

completed a feasibility study pilot
Student Action project in July 2006, which included
for Refugees visits to communities in urban and
STAR has a large and vibrant group rural Malawi, meetings with health
at Glasgow University. Their aim is to and government officials, and
help refugees in the UK and Glasgow collaborations with international
to rebuild their lives and to stop and local NGOs.
innocent & vulnerable people being
used as scapegoats because they In Malawi, they’re also involved with
can’t vote or fight back. They’ve got a Health Education and Promotion
several projects you can try: programme, participation in sports
and social events, a hand hygiene
• School workshops: fun & loud
programme and Play and Classroom
classroom role-plays showing
assistance.
children in local schools what
being a refugee is like.
• Legal research: researching
specifics of human rights
situations abroad to help
inform specific asylum claims.
• Detention centre visiting: social/
emotional support for detainees
in Dungavel.
• Orientation: Helping newcomers
to adjust to and master the
simple aspects of life in Glasgow
that we take for granted, with
the Red Cross. SKIP volunteers in Malawi

16
Paid Summer Where and when?
Placements Find a Solution takes place during
the summer break, so you’ll be asked
to carry out the work from June to
“Paid work? But I thought
August.
this was volunteering?”

While most volunteering isn’t paid,

the voluntary sector is a vibrant area
and a vital sector of the economy, so
we think you should get the chance
to experience working in it.

Find a Solution
Like many of the other projects on
offer at the SRC, Find a Solution gives
you the chance to give something
back to the local community whilst
at the same time gaining some Find a Solution students present their findings
invaluable work experience and
developing your transferable skills.
This particular scheme attempts to
tie in with your academic course, and
allows you to put the skills you’ve
“Volunteering can
learnt through academic study to be one of the most
good use. rewarding experiences
The project is funded by the
of your university life.
University of Glasgow Settlement It is hard work, but the
and involves students carrying out skills you pick up and
6-8 week placements during the
summer break. Previous projects have the experience you gain
seen students carrying out marketing are extremely useful - as
strategies, feasibility studies and
service evaluations for organisations
much as it is an activity
as diverse as the Glasgow Women’s that runs alongside your
Library and The National Theatre of degree, it can offer up
Scotland – all of which look great on
your CV (and for the bank balance, of serious career options
course). for when you graduate.”
James Porteous
3rd year, Product Design

17
Q&A
Do I have the time
to volunteer?
This obviously depends on your other
commitments, but you’re asked only
to give up 2-3 hours a week for most
of the projects.
Do I need any previous
experience?
It can help, but isn’t essential.
Obviously being able to swim would
be required if you’re looking to
volunteer with Splash, but the point
is really to help you GAIN some
experience.
18
Do I have to commit to
a project for the year?
No. Most projects require a ten week
commitment, but this can be worked
around your University timetable.
Will I have to travel far?
Some of the placement opportunities
aren’t within walking distance of the
University, but don’t worry, as we’ll
cover travel expense from all projects
(apart from SVA and SKIP – the
budget doesn’t quite stretch as far as
South Africa or Malawi).

I’ve been told that I need
a Disclosure – what is this?
A Disclosure is something that some
volunteers and paid staff are asked
to complete in Scotland before they
work with a number of groups in
society, including children under the
age of 18 or vulnerable adults. This
means that Disclosures are required
for the following projects:
• Buddy a Granny
• Classroom Support
• Projects abroad with
SVA and SKIP
• Splash
• Sports Coaching
A Disclosure is also known as a CRB
check in England or a Police Check in
many countries abroad. In Scotland
all it means is that volunteers are
screened to ensure that no one
who is disqualified from working
with children or vulnerable adults is
allowed to do so. It is a very simple
process, as all you’ll have to do is
fill out a quick form. It doesn’t cost
you anything and no one (police,
authorities etc) will contact you
about it.
“It’s a great way
to feel part of the
campus community
while boosting your
CV… not to mention
your social circle!”
Franck Martin
4th year, Politics
What else do I get
from taking part?
Other than a great sense of well-
being? The SRC is able to process
MV Awards – this is a national
scheme established by the Scottish
Government to recognise 16-25 year
olds who give up their free time to
help others. Having an MV award
on your CV will be recognised by
future employers and certificates are
awarded for 50 (Bronze), 100 (Silver)
and 200 (Gold) hours of volunteering.
The Gold awards are even signed by
the First Minister.
- Ok, I want to help!
What next?
Just visit the Student Volunteer
Support Service Office in the
John McIntyre building or email
volunteer@src.gla.ac.uk
19
 To get involved or for more information, contact:

Student Volunteer Support Service (SVSS)

John McIntyre Building
University Avenue
Glasgow G12 8QQ
t: 0141 339 9541
e: volunteer@src.gla.ac.uk
w: www.glasgowstudent.net/volunteer

Nightline
t: 0141 353 1050 (7pm to 7am during term time)
e: asknightline@src.gla.ac.uk

For specific clubs and societies, contact:

SKIP Students for Kids International Projects (SKIP)

e: skipglasgow@googlemail.com

Student Action for Refugees (STAR)

e: starglasgow@googlemail.com

Student Volunteers Abroad (SVA)

e: sva_uk@yahoo.co.uk
w: www.gla.ac.uk/clubs/sva/