VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES – BOTH ON AND OFF CAMPUS
Volunteering is a great way to meet new people, learn new skills, add variety to your work experience and contribute to the local community.
What is Volunteering
Volunteering is an activity where an individual freely and willing undertakes unpaid work for a not-for-profit organisation or project. The work should be of benefit to both the organization and the volunteer.
While you are at UNSW you can complement your studies by joining volunteer programs both on and off campus.
ON CAMPUS - Volunteering Opportunities
ISS Peer Mentoring
Are you interested in helping new international students adjust to life in Sydney and UNSW? Want to meet new people, learn new skills and make a difference as a senior student? Why not become an ISS Peer Mentor.
Applications for the Session 1 2009 Peer Mentor program are now open and will close on Monday 20 October 5pm.
For full details about the ISS Peer Mentor Program please click here.
For an application form please click here.
If you have been an ISS Peer Mentor previously and are interested in becoming a Senior ISS Peer Mentor please contact Katie at k.yamaguchi@unsw.edu.au
Careers and Employments
The Careers and Employment website has a lot of useful information regarding volunteering. Please go to the Careers and Employment on-line job board to find currently advertised volunteering positions at www.careers.unsw.edu.au/student/jobsOnline/
Faculties
Many faculties have various volunteering opportunities. Please check with your faculty to see which volunteering activities are currently available. Many faculties also run Peer Mentor programs where you can volunteer to help new students in your faculty. Currently programs run at COFA (College of Fine Arts), the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, the Faculty of Commerce and Economics, the Faculty of Engineering, the Faculty of Law and the Faculty of Science. Form more information, see your Faculty Office or refer to the Peer Mentoring section of the Counselling website: http://www.peermentoring.unsw.edu.au/Login.aspx
ARC
The Arc promotes activities for its members that help them to develop their skills in the areas of leadership, communication and creativity in a fun environment. Training and Certificates of Participation are provided to recognise the effort that each individual puts into the programs. Some of the on-campus volunteering programs by Arc are;
- Contact - UNSW's Information and referral service. Contact volunteers act as a first point of reference for anyone who has questions about the University's services and facilities.
- O-Week Yellowshirts- Volunteer during Orientation Week and provide a welcoming environment to new students
- Oral Blitz- Volunteer to 'Blitz' lectures and tell students what is happening on campus every week
- Hypesmiths- Help promote the activities happening at the Roundhouse
- Artsweek- Help out with Artsweek, a week celebrating all things arty on campus
- Publication volunteers- Be part of the team that puts together the UNSWeetened Literary Journal and the International Cookbook.
- Shack Tutoring - The Shack Tutoring Program provides tutoring for high school students from the local community on campus.
- Mosaic Fusion Forums - These forums are for anyone interested in cultural issues, raising awareness and tolerance of multiculturalism, or studying education.
To find out more about any of these programs visit the Arc website:
Sunswift
If you've got skills or want to develop skills in Marketing, Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Manufacturing/Mechanics, Computing or Electrics then this is for you. Here's a great opportunity to apply your knowledge and get involved in a multidisciplinary student project - Sunswift! (Yes, it's that cool sleek solar car you've seen around campus)
Be part of the team that prepares for trips across the Australian desert.
Sunswift III will race from West to East, and North to South across Australia, in two races in 2007 and they need your help to make it happen.
If you'd like to know more about this exciting project, then read the linked pdf and get in touch with the UNSW Solar Racing Team. www.sunswift.com
Phone: 9385 5149
In person: Room 109, Electrical Engineering Building (G17)
OFF CAMPUS - Volunteering Opportunities
COMMUNITY SERVICE- HEALTH AND WELFARE ORGANISATIONS
VAST
Are you interested in supporting the elderly and people with disability? Join the VAST program and you will be receiving training before being placed in a community organisation where you can make a positive difference to someone's life. Tasks will vary but include shopping and respite care. All volunteers will receive a certificate for all training attended. For more information please call the Volunteer Coordinator on (02) 9349 8200
Red Cross Community Volunteering
Red Cross NSW offers a number of volunteer opportunities to students.
- Telecross: Make a daily phone call to check on the well being of a person who lives alone and is frail or medically at risk. Volunteers are rostered to one client and must give a quick call very morning between 8am and (am
- Hands-On: Provide companionship and support to clients. Give massages and hand care to long-term hospital patients and people in aged care centres.
- Breakfast Club: Help serve breakfast and develop friendships with children in participating schools. Volunteers must be able to commit to a minimum of 1 hour per week (8am-9am in the morning) for a minimum of one school term
Please note that all Red Cross volunteers must attend an orientation and training with Red Cross NSW.
ALIV
This is a refugee group which desperately needs more people to help out with kids excursions. Check out www.aliv.org.au for more info and to fill in the online application form.
What would I be doing? Helping take one child (buddy) on a group excursion somewhere in Sydney e.g Aquarium, zoo, movies etc
When? Only have to commit to once a month - more if you'd like to.
Can I do it with friends? Yes, absolutely -you can be paired with kids who are also friends or from the same family so each excursion is like a day out with your pal - except there are kids to keep an eye on :)
Benefits of the ALIV program for you: Apart from this being a life-moulding experience for the kids from disadvantaged refugee backgrounds it gives you a great sense of achievement knowing you've made a difference to one child and their family. It also looks great on the CV and is an excuse to have free/cheap tickets to many cool events and run around playing with kids all day!
Please consider this, we may not be able to change the world but it's a start!!
Starlight Foundation
The aim of the Starlight Foundation is to brighten the lives of seriously ill children. The Foundation runs hospital programs such as the Starlight Express rooms (which run at the Sydney Children's Hospital in Randwick) as well as the Wish granting program. All volunteers must register with the Starlight Foundation on their website: http://www.starlight.org.au
CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANISATIONS
Bushcare Volunteers
Do you want to meet people who share your interest in conservation and the environment? Why not volunteer one day a month with Bushcare volunteers. Join in bush regeneration activities in Randwick, Coogee or Maroubra. All materials, morning tea and guidance are provided. For more information and meeting dates please go to
Conservation Volunteers
This is a great way to discover many natural settings around Sydney and help the environment at the same time. You'll see beautiful bushlands, stunning scenery, and waterways at the National Parks around Sydney. It is also a fantastic way to meet locals who are keen to make a difference and love the outdoors.
CVA runs environmental activities around Australia. You can volunteer for one day local environmental projects or sign up for longer term projects in remote locations. Find a project that suits you by using 'Conservation Connect'
All necessary training information and equipment is also provided
HUMAN RIGHTS AND SOCIAL JUSTICE ORGANISATIONS
Amnesty International
Join the team of volunteers who work at the Amnesty International Sydney Section office. You can help with letter writing, casework for refugee appeals and coordinate volunteer networks. To register as a volunteer visit the Amnesty International website: http://nsw.amnesty.org.au/volunteer
Oxfam Community Aid Abroad
Oxfam works with communities on solutions to poverty and social injustice. Oxfam has ongoing volunteer and internship opportunities in their Sydney office. You can assist with organising events such as their annual Walk Against Want or help out in the office with mail outs and administration. More information is available on the Oxfam website: www.oxfam.org.au
Volunteering Resources
The following sites are good places to look for off campus volunteering opportunities
Go Volunteer
Volunteering Australia
Volunteer Search
Seek Volunteers
**If you have any questions or need assistance with finding a volunteer opportunity, please contact Katie at ISS to arrange a convenient time for a chat at k.yamaguchi@unsw.edu.au or call 02 9385 5336.
