Each semester we invite organisations from across the third sector to campus for our Volunteering Fair in The Hub.

This year on Tuesday 14 October we will be joined by a diverse range of organisations who support young people, refugees, migrants, mental health, and global health education. In previous years, over 100 students registered to volunteer with these amazing charities, non-profit organisations, and social enterprises for valuable work experience, learn more about the local community and meet new people.

What to expect?

The Fair is open from 11am-3pm, and you can join us at a time that is convenient. When you arrive, register your attendance and collect a Volunteering Card from a SU staff member (usually wearing a pink t-shirt). Then you are free to enjoy the Fair, and chat to the charities to get more understanding of their organisation, their volunteering opportunities and whether these fit your interests or role requirements.

Why should you volunteer?

Volunteering offers a unique way to build skills, boost confidence, and make meaningful connections outside your course. Through volunteering, you can gain hands-on experience to enhance your employability, develop communication and leadership abilities, as well as explore opportunities in different careers or causes. At the same time, volunteering helps you integrate into the community, meet new people, and make a positive impact, which adds variety and enjoyment to your university life.

Who will be there?

Applications are still coming in, but organisations that have already signed up include:

Action Tutoring helps disadvantaged young people through providing tutoring. They are looking for students interested in online or face-to-face tutoring in maths or English.

Barnardo’s Retails provide services and support to children and young people and is looking for volunteers for their three charity stores in Coventry. Roles include retail volunteer, visual merchandiser volunteer, stock room volunteer, customer support volunteer, and stock research volunteer.

Carers Trust Heart of England support unpaid carers and those they care for with tailored support services. They are looking for activity coordinators for their youth groups and daybreak services at their weekly respite sessions.

Carriers of Hope supports refugees, asylum seekers, and other vulnerable migrants through their wide-ranging services. They are looking for students to support their Let’s Play supporting children and parents in English language through singing and play, joining their Client Connections Team on home visits, at their social supermarket World Food Hub and at their Drop-In session providing refreshments, signposting and distributing essential items.

Education Saves Lives are looking for volunteers to create interactive health educational and safer living lessons for global distribution to underserved communities for free. They are looking for volunteers to help translate or voice record the content, and research organisations to distribute materials with.

The United Nations Association raises awareness of global issues the UN are addressing and provides information about the organisation’s successes and failures. They are looking for students to volunteer preparing and delivering presentations, writing articles for the website or organising events to educate others.