Students as Volunteers

1
Students as Volunteers

• Ed Stevens (Just V Coordinator, Bath Spa
  University)
• e.stevens_at_bathspa.ac.uk
• 01225 875705

2
Presentation Aims

• Present a quick overview of Bath Spa University
  and our students
• Consider the benefits of student volunteering to
  the community
• Look at motivations for student volunteers and
  barriers to their volunteering
• Consider how to recruit and motivate student
  volunteers

3
Bath Spa University A Quick Overview

• A new (2005), teaching-led University
• 6,500 students (a 40 increase in undergraduate
  applications in the past 5 years) 700 staff
• A huge diversity within the student body 30
  mature students growing postgraduate community
  100s of international students 1000s of
  undergraduates

4
Academic Schools

• Students study a range of subjects grouped under
  the following 8 Schools
• Art Design
• Education
• English Creative Studies
• Graduate School
• Historical Cultural Studies
• Music Performing Arts
• Science the Environment
• Social Sciences

5
Our Students

• Highly creative practical
• More comfortable with a collegiate atmosphere
  like the friendliness of the environment rather
  than being at a larger, more impersonal Uni
• Entry requirements are accessible to a lot of
  students (although many courses are popular so a
  lot of competition to get on them)
• Are great!!

6
Benefits of Student Volunteering to the Community

• Specific skills and expertise knowledge
  exchange
• Aspirations may be raised (widening
  participation)
• Economic value on average 1000 per volunteer
  (based on 82 hours volunteering)
• Breaks down stereotypes both of and by the
  community
• Potential cascade effect student volunteers
  encouraging increased local volunteering

7
Students as Volunteers - Motivations

• As with anyone, students choose to volunteer for
  a variety of reasons. Some of the more commonly
  occurring
• Social Factors meeting other students members
  of the local community
• Altruistic reasons ( welfare)
• Trying something new or trialling a potential
  career
• For non-British students a chance for a greater
  awareness of British culture and to practice
  language skills
• Improving transferable, personal career-related
  skills (employability)
• Big growth in volunteer numbers at Bath Spa, from
  80 in 2006/07 to over 400 for 2008/09.

8
Barriers to Student Volunteering (1)

• Time, time, time! Students are pulled in many
  different directions
• Degree dissertations, essays, exams
• Work Experience
• Part-time jobs
• Student Union commitments societies, sports,
  academic reps, part-time officers
• Socialising

9
Barriers to Student Volunteering (2)

• Self-confidence issues remember what you were
  like when you were 18?!
• Tuition fees
• 1 of only 6 universities which does not have Weds
  afternoons free
• Scared of regular commitment dont realise that
  some organisations require students only during
  term-time or occasionally or as one-offs or on a
  project basis
• Not clear on the benefits of volunteering
  lacking self-reflection

10
Recruiting Student Volunteers

• Thinking about aforementioned motivations and
  possible barriers can help you ensure the
  messages you convey when trying to recruit
  student volunteers are appropriate.
• Think about
• Timing (academic year October June peak
  recruitment times Oct / Nov, Jan / Feb / Mar)
• Highlighting team working opportunities
• Emphasise the chance to make a difference to the
  local community
• Displaying information on training opportunities
  and accreditation / recognition schemes
• Responding promptly to any volunteer enquiries
• Offering taster sessions (especially if red tape
  means it will be a while before a student can
  start volunteering)

11
Working with Student Volunteers

• Be aware and understanding of their other
  commitments honest about the time commitment
  you require
• Provide training induction
• Empower / encourage students to make use of their
  specific skills
• Praise reward! Be a friendly face
• Encourage them to reflect on what theyre
  learning and give them an opportunity to feed
  back on how they think its going
• Word of mouth is strong amongst students. Ensure
  one volunteer has a fabulous experience and you
  should generate a steady stream of volunteers!

12
Contact Details

• You can read more about Bath Spas volunteer
  service (Just V) and how we might be able to help
  you at www.bathspa.ac.uk/justv
• Or contact me at e.stevens_at_bathspa.ac.uk 01225
  875705
• P.S. Im currently on the look out for some
  time-limited team projects for next academic
  year!!