Find out how you can add a new dimension to your university life, and boost your job prospects, by giving a bit of your time for a good cause.
CareerHub
Get extra help and support and see volunteering opportunities.
Volunteer in the UK
Giving a small amount of your time is a great way to make a positive contribution and gain valuable work experience, build your confidence and develop your skills and experience.
There are many charities and non-profit organisations that you may be able to volunteer at including Cancer Research UK, Age UK and the National Trust. You may also be able to work in schools, the NHS or community centres.
You can search for volunteering opportunities in CareerHub, or you can try:
Local
- Brighton & Hove Community Works
- Community Base Volunteer Search
- Volunteering in Brighton & Hove
- East Sussex Community Information Service (ESCIS)
- Brighton Grub Hub
National
Community volunteering
Volunteer abroad
Volunteering abroad can be an enriching experience that gives you the opportunity to travel, meet new people, develop your skills and gain work experience.
If you’re interested in volunteering abroad try:
Volunteer with the Students’ Union
There are plenty of ways to volunteer through the Students’ Union.
These include the Buddy Scheme, where you pair up with a like-minded student for social contact.
Mentoring
You can support other students by becoming a mentor, note-taker or exam helper.
If you think you would benefit from a mentor to help with your studies, many of our schools have specially-trained students to guide you.
Virtual volunteering
You can also volunteer for online projects. Try searching for opportunities at:
- Conversation Over Borders
- Studenteer
- UN Unified Volunteer Platform - Online
- Amnesty Decoders
- Missing Maps
- Translation Without Borders
- Zooniverse
- DigiVol Institutions
- ZSL Instant Wild
- National Archives.
International students
You can volunteer without it affecting your visa and the hours you are permitted to work.
A volunteer doesn’t have an employment contract or receive payment other than travel and subsistence expenses. You do not take the place of an employee and volunteering roles are usually with charities and voluntary or public sector organisations.
However, if you are a voluntary worker with a contact of employment, set work hours and paid in goods and services instead of money, any hours spent doing work will count towards the permitted working hours of your visa. Find out more about working while you study.
Your time
Make sure you factor in the time you need to study but also be kind to yourself – it’s important to relax.
Don’t volunteer more hours than you feel comfortable with or feel pressured into giving more time than you’d like to.
When you volunteer, add in the time it takes to get to and from the location. Even getting around the local area can take longer than you think.