HEAR: Volunteering and community engagement
Give back. Learn new skills. Meet new people.
Primary page content
Volunteering
This student has participated in at least 30 hours of volunteering in the local community or with an external charitable, voluntary or community organisation verified by the Careers Service. They have completed a volunteering log, reflecting on the experience and skills they have developed.
Criteria
Complete the reflective log which includes:
- name and staff contact at organisation(s) you have volunteered with
- record the hours completed
- provide details of activities completed
- answer three reflective questions
- provide a reference from named point of contact within organisation(s)
Request reflective log from the Volunteering Co-ordinator at volunteering (@gold.ac.uk) (electronically or hard copy in person) or complete this online form in detail by 31 May to be signed off.
How do I find out more?
Email the Volunteering Coordinator at volunteering (@gold.ac.uk) or book an appointment on CareerSpace.
This student has participated in at least 50 hours of volunteering in the local community or with an external charitable, voluntary or community organisation verified by the Careers Service. They have completed a volunteering log, reflecting on the experience and skills they have developed.
Criteria
Complete the reflective log which includes:
- name and staff contact at organisation(s) you have volunteered with
- record the hours completed
- provide details of activities completed
- answer three reflective questions
- provide a reference from named point of contact within organisation(s)
Request reflective log from the Volunteering Co-ordinator at volunteering (@gold.ac.uk) (electronically or hard copy in person) or complete this online form in detail by 31 May to be signed off.
How do I find out more?
Email the Volunteering Coordinator at volunteering (@gold.ac.uk) or book an appointment on CareerSPACE.
Open Book
Description
As a volunteer mentor this student developed a relationship with and provided pastoral and academic support over an academic year to a member of the Open Book Project. The Open Book project works with those from socially excluded groups to encourage them to take up education, offering ongoing emotional and practical support throughout their course.
Criteria
To gain recognition on your HEAR you must have
- Completed an Open Book Training Session
- Provided either a minimum of 20 hours support or support over the duration of the Extended Project or the Academic Year
- Met regularly with the mentee and Open Book Co-ordinators to discuss progress / issues
How do I find out more?
Find out more about Open Book or contact Neil Bradley, Open Book Project Officer.
Description
As a volunteer for the Women's Drop In this student provided help and advice of both a of a practical and pastoral nature to women on the Open Book Project and across the university. The Open Book project works with those from socially excluded groups to encourage them to take up education, offering them ongoing emotional and practical support throughout their course.
Criteria
To gain recognition on your HEAR you must have
- Completed an Open Book Training Session
- Attended a minimum of 10 Women's Drop in sessions and actively been involved with the attendees
- Met with the Open Book Co-ordinator on at least 2 occasions to discuss contribution/participation
How do I find out more?
Find out more about Open Book or contact Neil Bradley, Open Book Project Officer.
Description
Open Book Volunteer Teachers develop and deliver a programme of classes for members of the Open Book Project. They are required to plan and prepare relevant, informative and engaging classes and adapt to the learning needs of the attendees. The Open Book project works with socially excluded groups encouraging them to take up education and offering ongoing emotional and practical support.
Criteria
To gain recognition on your HEAR you must have
- Completed an Open Book Training Session
- Agreed a timetable of classes with Open Book Co-ordinators
- Prepared and delivered the agreed number of classes
How do I find out more?
Find out more about Open Book or contact Neil Bradley, Open Book Project Officer.
Description
Students are recruited to form part of a joint-teaching/learning experience, with the aim of encouraging prisoners to consider higher education as a future route to a better life. By learning alongside prisoners our student co-learners gain a shared experience by way of a unique academic/creative process which allows everyone taking part in the opportunity to develop written, oral, and critical thought skills.
Criteria
- Attend the initial briefing and 10 teaching sessions
- Complete prison vetting procedures, to keep up with minimal reading requirements (average 30 pages per week) and to participate actively in class discussions and activities.
How do I find out more?
Activity Organiser: Neil Bradley, Open Book
Find out more about Open Book
Student accommodation
Description
Resident Experience Co-ordinators are trained student staff who assist the accommodation team in creating a community amongst students living in halls. They plan and deliver a range of activities from Wellbeing Walks, Open Days, and social media campaigns and submit written reports to the Resident Life Team. They develop skills in administration, team working, report writing, communication and working under pressure.
Criteria
- Attend additional training sessions as necessary
- Provide 6 hours of work per week on event planning and delivering, as well as working on social media, attending campus events (for example, Open Days) and running drop-in sessions for other residents
- Meet with Accommodation Services on a weekly basis to provide feedback and evaluation
- Participate in debriefing sessions
- Be an active participant in Welcome Week, Move out and Move in, open days & applicant days (additional activity)
Contact Res Life or Accommodation Services for more information.
Description
Led by the SU Sabbatical Officers, CARE Ambassadors support the CARE Project, a culture change initiative that works to eradicate sexual violence from the Goldsmiths community.
CARE Ambassadors complete training (consisting of the Consent Matters online course and an Active Bystander Training workshop); serve on the CARE Steering Committee (offering student input to inform the strategy and priorities of the Project); and participate in at least 30 hours of volunteering on CARE initiatives (including event management, community building, and campaigns work).
CARE Ambassadors learn how to implement culture-change projects collaboratively with a trauma-informed and survivor-centred approach.
Criteria
- Complete the Consent Matters online course and attend an Active Bystander Training workshop
- Attend a minimum of 3 of 5 CARE Steering Committee meetings throughout the year
- Volunteer 30 hours to support the activities of the CARE project
- Submit a reflective log with guidance from the Education Officer and CARE Project Coordinator
How do I find out more?
CARE Project Coordinator - Al Rhodes (bystander@goldsmithssu.org)
Find out more about the CARE Project. Contact bystander@goldsmithssu.org if you’d like any further information.
Theatre and Performance
Description
This student has planned, promoted and facilitated a series of theatre workshops with a community group in an outreach setting. They have gained skills in organising and promoting projects, managing groups of people, workshop facilitation and time management.
Criteria
- Complete 24 hours over 6 weeks planning, promoting and facilitating a series of workshops which are delivered in community settings
- Provide a written reflection on your professional practice
- Produce a portfolio of evidence, to include photos, to demonstrate your process
How do I find out more?
Alexa Reid, a.reid (@gold.ac.uk), is the organiser for this activity.
Description
The Marketing Society is a student-led society aimed at all students regardless of department. They have appointed an Institute for Management Studies academic staff member as a mentor. They are interested in debating a variety of topics in Marketing. The Society is responsible for a range of student initiatives, such as organising talks, arranging socials, and developing their own social media channels. This award is for students who are part of the Organising Committee, and may take or share roles akin to the Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, Content Creator, Event Coordinator, and/or Media Planner.
Criteria
- Run the Society as part of the Organising Committee team
- This includes organising at least three activities in one calendar year
- Promote the Society to IMS students and the larger Goldsmiths community
How do I find out more?
Contact Cassie Gilbert in the Institute for Management Studies department.