Volunteering opportunities
Joining a community means giving back – and getting a great deal in return. There are volunteering opportunities to suit everyone.
Opportunities by sector
Whether you want to totally immerse in your course subject area, or mix things up and explore a different avenue, there are some really exciting sector-specific opportunities. Think about the skills you want to gain and what fires your imagination – then start connecting.
Arts, heritage and creative industries
Apply to volunteer for an arts, heritage or creative industries opportunity.
Business, marketing and events
Apply to volunteer for a business, marketing or events opportunity.
Environment, conservation and sustainability
Apply to volunteer for an environment, conservation or sustainability opportunity.
Health, social care and youth work
Apply to volunteer for a health, social care or youth work opportunity.
Law
Apply to volunteer for a law opportunity.
Schools and education
Apply to volunteer for a schools or education opportunity.
Science, engineering and IT
Apply to volunteer for a science, engineering and IT opportunity.
Sport
Apply to volunteer for a sport opportunity through the Sport Volunteering Programme.
Creative Professional Volunteering
Our Creative Professional Volunteering scheme is exclusively designed for students and recent graduates from Creative Technologies, Arts, Humanities and Marketing courses at UWE Bristol, while meeting the needs of local charities and community partners to help them achieve a creative ambition. Previous projects have included photography, video creation, animation, graphic design, illustration, web development and branding, music technology, and fashion design.
Students work with local charities and community organisations on real creative briefs co-designed by the organisation, the Civic and Community Engagement team and the student. Projects take place twice a year during the autumn and spring terms. They are designed to take 10-30 hours over ten weeks and flexibly fit around your academic studies.
Students who complete 30 hours of Creative Professional Volunteering and meet the eligibility criteria can apply for the UWE Bristol Employability Bursary of up to £500.
The scheme enables you to gain CV-enhancing experience, hands-on skills and increased confidence in your professional and creative ability as you give back to the local community. To find out more, get in touch with the Volunteering Team at volunteering@uwe.ac.uk.
"Creative Professional Volunteering made other projects just less daunting. It felt like we got over a barrier of taking the equipment out, making a good risk assessment, and learning to be on it. Now we are doing lots of other projects ourselves."
Alice, BA Filmmaking volunteered with three friends with Youth Moves
Micro volunteering
What is micro volunteering?
Micro volunteering is a chance for you to undertake small but important tasks without the need for an ongoing commitment. These are often very short projects that require little time (a few minutes to a few hours) or one-off activities such as a charity bucket collection or helping out with a community fun day. They can also take place either in person or remotely depending on the task. Micro volunteering gives you the opportunity to engage with your community in a timeframe that suits you. Typically, these roles will either not require or have just a very simple application, screening or training process.
Benefits of micro volunteering
- Learn new skills quickly or improve on skills you already have to add to your CV.
- Get involved anytime and anywhere – micro volunteering is often much more convenient and flexible than traditional volunteering.
- No ongoing commitment means that you volunteer only when you have the time, perfect for when you are facing a busy time of exams or an essay writing period.
- In many cases, you will see an instant return on your volunteering.
Find a micro volunteering opportunity
If you have any questions about micro volunteering and how to get involved email us at volunteering@uwe.ac.uk.
"One-off events are a fantastic way to volunteer, as you are able to give as much time as you can afford to. The feel good factor of working hard for a whole day is fantastic!"
Amy one-off volunteer
Social hackathons
Social hackathons at UWE Bristol bring together student volunteers and local charities to solve real-world challenges through creativity, collaboration and innovation. They are a great way to learn new skills, connect with new people, and make a positive impact in a short period of time.
They are non-competitive and do not require any previous technical skills or knowledge. Join us for an unforgettable experience of learning, collaboration, and making a difference with a dash of fun thrown in.
"One thing about teamwork for assignments is, sometimes you cannot find the people that have the same passion for the project. For the Social hackathon, everyone wanted to contribute something and was passionate about their ideas."
Iris, MSc Digital Marketing volunteered at UWE Bristol Social hackathon with Share Bristol
International volunteering
The Go Global Team have identified trusted global volunteering providers who offer safe, ethical, good value, and positive outcomes for both student volunteers and communities.
Discover overseas opportunities
Apply for an international volunteering project
You will need to apply directly through your chosen organisation's website. Your application will be assessed by the individual organisations. Successful applicants wishing to secure global funding support will receive it on a first-come, first-served basis.
UWE Bristol Employability Bursary
If you meet the eligibility criteria, all of the international volunteering programmes can be part-to-fully funded via the UWE Bristol Employability Bursary.
Contact the Go Global Team
For queries about international volunteering, email the Go Global Team at goglobal@uwe.ac.uk.
Nakita's international volunteering experience
Nakita Hedges, LLB(Hons) Law, volunteered with the African Prisons Project (now Educating for Justice). She tells us about surprising things she encountered whilst volunteering, and times where she felt she'd really made a difference.
The Students' Union
The Students' Union organises a series of one-off action days in the local community for teams of student volunteers working in partnership with voluntary organisations and charities to make a difference.
Upcoming opportunities from the Students' Union at UWE
You can also get involved in a wide range of sustainability, conservation and biodiversity volunteering through the Green Team. These roles are very low commitment, so perfect for a busy timetable. Find out more about the Green Team and sign up to the newsletter.
"I am constantly learning from the people involved [and] recognise and connect with people [from] previous events."
Mauricio, LLM International Commercial Law participated in a Social hackathon and leadership workshop
Get in touch
We send a newsletter approximately twice a term with details of upcoming volunteering and community action events, training and updates from community partners.
If you would like to join our mailing list, or if you have any further questions about community projects and volunteering, email volunteering@uwe.ac.uk.
Further information
I didn't sign up in Term One. Can I still volunteer?
Yes. We have volunteering opportunities available all year round. Search on InfoHub (login required) or contact UWE Bristol Volunteering for advice and support.
Can I take a break from volunteering during university vacations?
The organisations understand that students need to take breaks for holidays and during exam periods. The most important thing is to tell them in advance so that organisations can plan around you. Our UWE Bristol Volunteering Projects and Schools Programme stop over the holidays.
How long will it take until I can start volunteering?
It often takes longer than people think to organise volunteering. This is because volunteer managers are very busy and they will want to arrange suitable training and inductions for you. Six weeks is quite a standard time to start volunteering but it could be longer if the organisation requires a DBS check.
What if I don't like my volunteering role?
Volunteering is a two-way process. If you are not happy in your role, it is important to talk to the organisation you are volunteering at, or contact us. It might be that they can help to make it a better experience for you. Although you are expected to show commitment, you do not have to keep doing something that you don't enjoy.
Where can I look for volunteering in Bristol?
We advertise all opportunities through InfoHub Careers Toolkit and events pages. We also regularly post on the UWE Bristol events page and display posters around campus. You may hear of opportunities through your College Careers Team, lecturers, or UWE Bristol's social media channels. These are opportunities that have been added by local charities who have approached us about having student volunteers.
However, we recognise these might not always align with your interests or the skills you want to develop. Some other great platforms to find volunteering locally are:
Should I come alone or bring a friend?
We understand it can be nerve-wracking stepping into a new space by yourself for the first time. Most volunteers come alone, and our events are designed to be friendly, inclusive, and a great way to meet new people.
However, we would love it if you shared volunteering opportunities with your friends so you can come together. You will need to sign up for any opportunities separately, but the more people we have involved in our volunteering community, the better.
Due to work or caring responsibilities I can't commit to regular volunteering. Can I still get involved?
Yes. We recognise that while some people prefer to have a regular commitment and build longer-term relationships with the charity or other volunteers, all students have a lot of demands on their time and some prefer one-off or shorter, project-based roles.
We have a range of long and short-term opportunities (sometimes called micro-opportunities) that you can get involved in. Find opportunities on InfoHub, sign-up to our newsletter, or contact us at volunteering@uwe.ac.uk.
I am a commuter student. Can I still take part in your opportunities?
Most of our workshops and taster sessions are held in-person but we also arrange some that can be done from home/online. Charities are also increasingly aware of the need for flexible volunteering roles and offer remote opportunities. For more information about what is available, check out InfoHub or contact us at volunteering@uwe.ac.uk.
I have never volunteered before and have little workplace experience. Does that matter?
No, most volunteering opportunities don't require previous experience. Volunteering is a great way to build skills, gain professional experience, and learn with support from the organisation.
I have a disability, long-term health condition, or mental health condition. What support is available?
Volunteering should be accessible to everyone. If there is anything that would help you take part, please contact us at volunteering@uwe.ac.uk.
We'll discuss any adjustments or support that may be helpful and only share information on a need-to-know basis, and usually only with your agreement. We're here to remove barriers and help you have a positive volunteering experience.
Isn't volunteering just unpaid work?
UWE Bristol only promotes volunteering opportunities with charities and community organisations, where volunteers play a vital role in supporting good causes. While volunteers aren't paid, organisations will reimburse reasonable expenses, such as travel costs so you are not out of pocket. Many also provide training, support, and opportunities to develop new skills and experience.
Unlike paid work, volunteering is flexible and voluntary, allowing you to fit it around your studies and other commitments. If you have any concerns about your volunteering experience, please get in touch with us.
What financial support is available to me?
This varies by opportunity. Most volunteer roles will reimburse reasonable expenses, such as travel costs, and some offer additional benefits like training and development opportunities.
Certain programmes, including the Creative Professional Volunteering scheme, may also be eligible for the UWE Employability Bursary. Check the opportunity details for more information or ask the organisation about their expenses policy.
What actually happens at your volunteering sessions and workshops?
Every session is different. We provide as much information as possible on the event page and in booking emails. If you have any questions before attending, please get in touch and we'll be happy to help.
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Reasons to volunteer
Volunteering is a great addition to your CV and a good opportunity to meet new people, have some fun, and make a difference in the local community.
Contact the Civic and Community Engagement Team
Contact us for enquiries about volunteering opportunities and recruiting volunteers.