Volunteering
Volunteering is not only your chance to give something back to communities, but you can also:
- try different areas of work
- gain work experience that employers are looking for
- develop skills that will strengthen your CV and job applications
- get invaluable experience, especially if you want to work in competitive sectors where formal placement opportunities may be limited
[I started volunteering with the Nottingham Playhouse in my second year. My main advice is that it’s never too late to enrich your experience at university.]
Where can I look for volunteer opportunities in Nottingham?
University programmes
- Working with children and mature students through the Widening Participation team - provides the opportunity to work in education centres with primary and secondary school children, and mature students at the University
- IntoUniversity - Become a mentor and role model to a young person
In the city
In the local area
- Log in to MyCareer, our vacancy site, to look for voluntary positions in the local area
Where to look for opportunities across the UK
- Do-It - offers almost 70,000 opportunities in a range of specialisms that you can apply to be part of online
- MyCareer - login to our vacancy site, to look for voluntary positions in the UK
- vInspired - aimed at getting 16-25 year olds into volunteering. You can search opportunities by location and areas of interest
- Volunteering England - information and guidance about volunteering in the UK and overseas
- Volunteering Matters - the UK's largest volunteering and training organisation, helps young people and adults to develop skills, build their confidence and improve their job prospects through their training and learning centres
Where to look for opportunities outside the UK
The website below provides examples of organisations who offer opportunities overseas.
This organisation and it's partners are not an exhaustive list and are for information only. It does not denote endorsement by the University.
Explore opportunities with Go Overseas
Also take a look at our working abroad page for more information and resources about working overseas.
Our taking time out page contains useful links and a list of questions to ask organisations who arrange work opportunities abroad.
MyCareer, our vacancy service, also advertises some opportunities to volunteer overseas.
Reflect on your experience to enhance future job applications. Take our NOOC.
Explore our Part-time jobs and volunteering NOOC
This online NOOC can help you consider the opportunities available, learn about how to reflect on your experiences, and access helpful information about how to identify and articulate your skills and knowledge. The NOOC explores a range of topics and signposts you to helpful resources on our website.
You can do as much or as little of the NOOC course as you wish. Or, you can complete the full course as part of your Nottingham Advantage Award. You can do this by completing the online activities alongside the work or volunteering experience you have gained.
Take a look at the NOOC
How I found experience for my CV
"The first time I put together my CV, I realised that I was severely lacking in experience. I needed something that would make me stand out. So, I decided to spend my summer volunteering and found a great opportunity with the National Trust."
Read Anabel's blog post about how she gained experience for her CV