Student Volunteering Week 2023

Student Volunteering Week, the national celebration of student volunteering across the UK, will run from Monday 13th- Friday 17th February.

Join the University’s Volunteering and Mentoring Team as they celebrate you, their volunteers, throughout Student Volunteering Week, and help you to discover your next volunteer opportunity!

Starting Monday 13^th February:

Participate in an interactive, in-person “Send a Smile” Volunteer Drop-in where you will be able to send a card to seriously ill children and their siblings in the UK via the charity Post Pals. The University Volunteering & Mentoring team will also be available to answer any queries you may have – all welcome, pop along!
Join the Volunteering & Mentoring team and the Grounds and Gardens team for Wildflower planting over at Exton Park.
Join the Welly Wednesday team and Welsh Dee Trust for a litter pick along the banks of the River Dee in Chester.
Network with experts in the third sector and discover how their volunteer opportunities can contribute towards University awards, CVs, portfolios and future interviews via our range of “Chat to a charity” information stands in Binks (Exton Park), Remond House (Warrington) and Shrewsbury Campus.

See the time table of events below!

DAY	EVENT	TIME AND LOCATION	DESCRIPTION
MONDAY 13TH FRIDAY OR WEDNESDAY 15TH FEBRUARY (DATE & TIME TBC)	WELLY WEDNESDAY LITTER PICK WITH WELSH DEE TRUST	River Dee, Chester	Join the Welly Wednesday team on a litter pick with Welsh Dee Trust along the beautiful River Dee in Chester. Details still to TBC but once done this will be available to book on our website https://volunteering.chester.ac.uk/provider/131/
MONDAY 13^TH FEBRUARY	“CHAT TO A CHARITY”: CHESHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST	11AM - 1PM Binks Foyer, Exton Park, Chester	The CWT is looking for volunteers to take part in their current tree nursery project. This is an opportunity for students to get hands-on experience in the everyday running of a tree nursery, from seed collection & propagation, to planting trees across Cheshire’s landscape. They are also looking for volunteers to help with public engagement events. As part of our wilder engagement team, students will help get CWT information out there through a series of events, whether attending school fairs, festivals or local community events, students will gain vital experience in public relations and engagement within the environmental sector. Visit their stand in Binks to find out more.
MONDAY 13^TH FEBRUARY	“CHAT TO A CHARITY”: CHANGING LIVES TOGETHER	1PM – 3PM Binks Foyer, Exton Park, Chester	CLT provides services across the whole of Cheshire. They are looking for volunteers to join their telephone befriending scheme. Volunteers only need to offer 30-60 mins per week to make a call to someone over 50 who is lonely or isolated for weekly chats. Visit their stand in Binks to find out more.
MONDAY 13^TH FEBRUARY	“CHAT TO A CHARITY”: WARRINGTON YOUTH ZONE	12PM-2PM University Centre Warrington, Remond House, Student Common Room	Warrington Youth Zone are a youth provision offering people aged 7-19 over 20 activities each evening such as sports, arts and recreational activities. They are open 7 days a week for young people & are looking for volunteers to enhance the provision they offer to the young people of Warrington. Visit their stand in Remond House to find out more.
TUESDAY 14^TH FEBRUARY	“CHAT TO A CHARITY”: PASSION FOR LEARNING	11AM – 1PM Binks Foyer, Exton Park, Chester	Passion for Learning was founded with the intention of recruiting adults from all walks of life who could bring their experiences, enthusiasm & skills to children struggling to read and learn. Many children simply do not have the benefit of the enriching experiences that make learning fun and they wish to recruit students from the University of Chester to help them with this aim! Visit their stand in Binks to find out more.
TUESDAY 14^TH FEBRUARY	WILDFLOWER PLANTING	1PM-3PM Exton Park site	Help local wildlife thrive by planting wildflowers on our Exton Park site. Whether you have 2 hours to spare or just 10 minutes - drop by and get involved! Registration is not essential, however you can sign up on the Volunteer Hub to register your interest and to be kept up to date.
WEDNESDAY 15^TH FEBRUARY	“CHAT TO A CHARITY”: SNOW ANGELS	1PM-3PM Binks Foyer, Exton Park, Chester	Snow Angels are a local social enterprise which supports older people to continue to live independently and keep well. They operate schemes across Cheshire. The opportunities they provide help tackle loneliness & isolation in older adults. These opportunities can be conducted remotely or in-person. Visit their stand in Binks to find out more.
WEDNESDAY 15^TH FEBRUARY	“CHAT TO A CHARITY”: ACTION TUTORING	1:30PM – 2PM Online session	Action Tutoring unlocks the potential of children and young people who are facing disadvantage. They are tackling the attainment gap head-on by forging partnerships with schools nationwide. Their trained volunteer tutors are empowered to enable pupils to make meaningful academic progress, opening doors to future opportunities. This session aims to show people that a small commitment to the charity can have a huge impact! All welcome! To join in please click here.
THURSDAY 16^TH FEBRUARY	SEND A SMILE VOLUNTEERING ACTIVITY	11AM-1PM Binks 013, Exton Park, Chester	Participate in an interactive, in-person “Send a Smile” Drop-in where you will be able to send a card to seriously ill children and their siblings in the UK via the charity Post Pals. The University Volunteering & Mentoring team will also be available to answer any queries you may have about becoming a volunteer, using our website or applying for awards– all welcome, pop along!
THURSDAY 16^TH FEBRUARY	“CHAT TO A CHARITY”: WARRINGTON VOLUNTARY ACTION: GOOD NEIGHBOURS VOLUNTEERS	12PM-2PM University Centre Warrington, Remond House, Student Common Room	Good Neighbours support people who are feeling lonely or have little or no contact throughout the week and need help with the little things. This could be anything from a friendly telephone call or getting involved with a group, sorting out shopping or doing some light exercise. They are looking for people who are approachable, patient and happy to operate within the guidance and boundaries needed for the scheme to keep everyone safe. A sense of humour isn't essential, but it really helps! Visit their stand in Remond House to find out more.
FRIDAY 17^TH FEBRUARY	“CHAT TO A CHARITY”: RECORD	11AM – 1PM Binks Foyer, Exton Park, Chester	RECORD is the local environmental records centre for Cheshire, Halton, Warrington and Wirral. They are a wildlife conservation organisation & their mission is to further the appreciation, understanding & protection of the Cheshire region’s wildlife and habitats. They have a number of different volunteer roles available for students with different skills and interests. Our main role is to collect and manage information on the natural environment from this area. As part of this, we support wildlife recorders of all abilities in the local area, they aim to make wildlife recording accessible and attractive to everyone, for the benefit of both people and the environment. Visit their stand in Binks to find out more.
FRIDAY 17^TH FEBRUARY	“CHAT TO A CHARITY”: PACT (Prison Advice & Care Trust)	11AM – 1PM Binks Foyer, Exton Park, Chester	Pact is a pioneering national charity that supports prisoners, people with convictions, and their children and families. They provide caring & life changing services at every stage of the criminal justice process: in court, in prison, on release, and in the community. The Visiting Mum Service offers practical and emotional support to children/young people and their carers who have a family member at HMP Styal. Visit their stand in Binks to find out more.
FRIDAY 17^TH FEBRUARY	“CHAT TO A CHARITY”: SHROPSHIRE MUSEUMS & ARCHIVES	12PM – 2PM University Centre Shrewsbury	Shropshire Museums and Archives are part of Shropshire Council. They comprises a beautiful, fascinating & surprising collection of objects and building. Volunteers at Shropshire Museums & Archives get involved with all kinds of things across the service and help them to achieve so much more. Opportunities are available to work with customers & to support behind the scenes. Visit their stand to find out more.