Do you like working with children and young people, or is this something that you would like to try? We offer a range of opportunities for student volunteers to support learners in both primary & secondary education.

Our programme for 2018-19 offers schools a wide range of activities to inform and raise awareness of opportunities in higher education and studying at Lancaster University.

The opportunities throughout the year will offer a blend of opportunities available ranging from classroom activities right through to on-campus projects.

What can I gain through volunteering with schools?

Teaching experience	British culture	Share your own experience & culture	Communication	Confidence
Sense of belonging	Part of the community	Boosted CV	Transferable skills	Meet new people
Leadership skills	Networking	Help others	Improved mental health	Fun

What opportunities are available?

Classroom assistants

This opportunity offers chance to support and reinforce lessons presented by teachers by reviewing material with students one-on-one or in small groups.

We have excellent partnerships with Pre-School, Primary Schools & Secondary Schools.

Duration: Half a day per week(number of weeks is negotiable). Volunteers will be partnered with a school based on experience, travel and availability of placements.

Action days

This opportunity offers volunteers a flexible one day opportunities for you to work with a range of pupils, both on campus and in the classroom. We offer actions days in the following areas:

• Health & Wellbeing
• Art & Culture
• Innovation
• Science
• Environmental
• Multi-culturalism
• Leadership
• Democracy

Duration: Half or full day, usually on a one-off basis.

Duck hunt/treasure hunt assistants

This opportunity offers flexible opportunities to be partly involved with a project. We appreciate time is precious and so this opportunity is to support pre-existing Action Days with the Duck Hunt element. This opportunity is available throughout the year. 

Duration: Usually 90 minutes.

What do I need to do next?

We host intro talks at the start of each term to allow us to give an overview of the project but these are not mandatory. If you know what you want to do, you can sign up directly below and a member of the team will be in touch to start the process. Or you can come to an intro talk to find out more!

We would love to see you at one of our intro talks to tell you more about what opportunities are available!

• Tuesday October 9, 5.30pm: Charles Carter Building A15
• Wednesday October 10, Noon: County Games Room (pizza provided)
• Thursday October 11, 5.30pm: Furness Lecture Theatre 1
• Tuesday October 16, 5.30pm: Marcus Merriman Lecture Theatre
• Wednesday October 17, 12.30pm: Fylde Common Room (pizza provided)
• Thursday October 18, 5.30pm: George Fox Lecture Theatre 5

I know what to do - what happens now?

If you know that you would like to volunteer then you can already sign up using the link at the bottom of the page!

Once you have selected an opportunity one of our team will be in touch to start the process of completing a DBS Certificate, undertake Safeguarding training and invite you to a meeting or to any additional training.

Projects and placements run throughout the year so in most cases it is never too late to get involved!

We try and keep the process very streamlined but there are a few essentials which are required to be able to volunteer with our schools programme. This includes the following prerequisites:

• DBS Certification
• Safeguarding Training
• One to One meetings & training

DBS certification

The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) was established in 2012 and carries out checks to ensure people are safe to be working with children or young people. This is not an exam or a test but a DBS certificate helps to prevent unsuitable people from working with vulnerable groups, including children. There is no cost for this certificate.

Safeguarding Training (online module)

Schools play an essential role in protecting children from abuse whilst creating safe environments for children and young people through robust safeguarding practices. Safeguarding training ensures that adults who work in the school, including volunteers, don't pose a risk to children. This online module provides volunteers with information and techniques to ensure children and young people are supported but also to protect you and your colleagues. This should take no longer than one hour. There is no cost for this training.

One-to-one meetings and training

Volunteers will be invited to meetings as required. If you have signed up to an action day then training will be happening throughout the year to coincide with the events.

Volunteers who are aiming to go directly into schools will be invited in as soon as possible to go through their aims and requirements. This can often be combined with the DBS check depending on how much time you have!

Meetings and training are essential so we can ensure you know any vital information or for you to ask any questions!

 

How else does the students' union support me?

Did you know two in five employers are actively looking for volunteering experience on your CV?

Our Schools Team offers a wide range of opportunities for Lancaster University students to be positive role models and share their university experience with young people. We want to widen participation, raise aspirations and improve awareness of higher education.

We provide volunteers with:

• Support with ideas & projects
• Travel expenses to placements
• Evidence for the Lancaster Award (if required)
•  

What is the project aiming to achieve?

ENGAGE
Encourage pupils to be motivated, take an interest in learning and ultimately aspire to come to University in the future. If you are passionate about seeing young people succeed in education and think you can be a positive advocate of the Lancaster student experience, then why not get involved?

EDUCATE
All of our outreach activities connect with key aspects of the National Curriculum and provide exciting opportunities that are not readily available in the classroom. If you’re passionate about education, would like to foster a love of learning, orperhaps thinking of a career in teaching, then we would like to hear from you!

ENJOY
Through innovative projects, we aim to provide enjoyable and unforgettable experiences which support the development of transferable skills. Do you think you could facilitate a fun and fast-paced educational session for pupils aged between 2-18 years old? Whether you want to take the lead or play a supporting role, we have opportunities to suit everyone.