After a lot of hard work over the summer, plans are now in place for our students to continue volunteering.

This academic year, the University’s Volunteering team will be putting measures in place to ensure a safe volunteering experience, which will allow students to continue contributing to local communities.

A very strong message that came out through the COVID19 lockdown was that students were keen to continue volunteering and contribute to communities, especially those in need and specifically as a result of the pandemic. By continuing to offer virtual and socially distanced volunteering opportunities, we’ll be able to continue helping those in need.

In addition, volunteering will add to the student experience by giving students the opportunity to take part in carefully managed face-to-face and remote activities at a time where many of their extra-curricular and social options are limited. A lot of evidence points to the fact that volunteering can be great for wellbeing, for example reducing isolation, providing a place to meet people with similar interests or helping students to get outdoors.

All opportunities advertised on behalf of the University’s partner organisations are going through a series of additional checks to ensure that volunteers are being safeguarded. In addition, students can search for opportunities that they can complete from home on the University’s volunteering platform, Volunteer Hub. FAQs on the volunteering microsite and volunteering safety training from the British Red Cross are also available.

For more information go to www.manchester.ac.uk/volunteers.