Volunteering MMU is based within the Careers and Employability Service. It offers a wide range of volunteering opportunities, which can help MMU students to develop valuable skills which can enhance their employability. We liaise with not-for-profit organisations which have opportunities that students and staff can get involved in.

"( Volunteering is an) Unpaid activity where someone gives their time to help an organisation or an individual who they are not related to." (Volunteering England, 2008).

A volunteer is a student or staff member who gives their own time to support a not for profit organisation or community group, with no financial reward.

This can be any group of people, charity or organisation that is not a commercial enterprise and is therefore not trying to make a profit. Normally the organisation supports a community related cause.

Volunteers do not receive financial rewards for their time. Most organisations will cover your reasonable out of pocket expenses including travel, food, materials, equipment etc. Some organisations also offer to contribute or cover the cost of training relevant to a role. Please check the out-of-pocket expenses policy with organisation prior to volunteering.

Volunteering MMU is unable to reimburse travel expenses to volunteers. It is best practice for organisations to offer travel expenses to their volunteers but please do check with them before committing to an organisation.

Volunteering MMU offer an ‘Introduction to Volunteering’ workshop which all potential volunteers are encouraged to attend. The workshop is designed to inform new volunteers of how to get the most out of their volunteering experience, as well as providing information on their rights and responsibilities.

All organisations registered with Volunteering MMU should offer an induction plus information on health and safety to all volunteers. The organisation may also offer further training which will be either related specifically to the role or as a developmental opportunity for volunteers. It is your responsibility to contact us if you have any concerns regarding this.

Your volunteering experience can be used in your application for the MMU Professional Passport.

This is at the discretion of the organisation you are volunteering for.

Only if you intend to volunteer in an organisation that works with children, young people or vulnerable adults. The organisation you are volunteering for should provide a CRB check free of charge specific to the role you are undertaking. If you have any problems obtaining a CRB check please email Volunteering MMU.

No. The organisation should cover the cost of a CRB if you are an unpaid volunteer. For more information on the CRB process go to www.crb.gov.uk

You can use the volunteering opportunities we have registered to support your studies and develop necessary skills and experience related to your course subject. To assess your motivation for wanting to volunteer please read our Volunteer Guide.

It is very much down to the type of volunteering you want to get involved in and the time you are willing to commit to an organisation. Some organisations can be flexible, however, others may ask for a minimum commitment of 2 hours per week. Alternatively there are usually one-off events that volunteers can get involved in.