Bournemouth uni offers many opportunities to volunteer which can be really rewarding and a great feature for your CV. SUBU recommend activities like RAG (Raising and Giving) where you can volunteer your time to raise money for charity while embarking on life changing activities. Whether it’s 5 minutes of your time to paint a bird box or helping out someone suffering with Alzheimer’s, there are plenty of things you could choose from.

SUBU also organise Make a Difference (MAD) days where groups of volunteers head out into the local community to take part in activities like mural paintings, kite surfing and beach cleans. If you complete 5 MAD days you receive a SUBU t-shirt and if you complete 10 you get a hoodie – who doesn’t love a free top?

Another great way to get involved with a charity or volunteer is through a society. This is what I started last year by joining a group of students to start the Student Action for Refugees society at Bournemouth uni. We campaign for equal access to higher education for refugee students who now live in the U.K. and also volunteer with an organisation that works with refugees in the local area. Through our society you can help at the women’s conversation club, help refugee kids at the homework club or assist with the crèche for the youngest children. We host fundraising events like club nights, raffles and cake sales all year round to help raise awareness and get students involved.

Enjoying ourselves at one of STAR’s fundraising club nights

I help out at the homework club for a couple of hours once a fortnight. Using those spare hours to volunteer doesn’t affect my studies in the slightest and is immensely rewarding. Chatting with the kids, reading Biff Chip and Kipper books (throwback or what?!) and helping with their times tables is enjoyable but also lovely because you get to see the kids grow and improve academically.

If you’ve never volunteered then I’d highly recommend it. The various opportunities at uni make it easy and accessible without hindering your work so give it a go!