VOLUNTEERINGSTUDENT GUIDE

Our CommunityYour University

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Volunteering is an activity which takes place through not for profit organisations or projects and

is undertaken to be of benefit to the community and the volunteer.

(Volunteering Australia, 2009)

unpaid // matter of choice // benefits the community // promotes human rights

and equality // respects the rights, dignity and culture of others // individual or

in groups // civic engagement // enhances educational outcomes // formal or

informal // community service // activism

WHAT IS VOLUNTEERING?

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• Learn new skills

• Gain valuable work experience

• Add to your CV

• Make a difference

• Get to know where you live and study

• Practice the skills and knowledge you have learnt at University

• Meet people and make new friends

• Have fun

• Understanding of differences

• Motivation

• Sense of achievement

• Boost your career options

• Share life experiences

• Give back to the community

• Build self confidence

• Socialise

• Stay active and engaged with the community

• Do something you have always wanted to do

WHY SHOULD I VOLUNTEER?

BENEFITS

My experiences in India and Sri Lanka impacted me greatly and expanded my capacity to feel empowered and be

able to make a difference in people’s lives.“

“

Volunteering Experience‘Railway Kids’ is a program that reaches out to children and youth living on trains and railway stations in India and offers them a place of safety, emotional support, encouragement. Ruth completed two weeks volunteering for the program through her involvement with iLead.

Name Ruth MoriartyAge 21

Degree Bachelor of Visual Communication Design

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WHERE CAN I VOLUNTEER?VOLUNTEERING AT THE UNIVERSITY

If you would like to volunteer at the University of Newcastle there are a variety of great opportunities available:

iLead Watt Space

U CrewTom Farrell InstituteThe University Gallery

Family Action CentreStudent Mentors

The University’s Student Mentor program is a fantastic opportunity for existing students to pass on their knowledge of campus life to commencing students. Mentors offer information and advice to new students via fortnightly emails during their first six weeks at Uni as well as meeting face to face.

To volunteer as a Student Mentor, you must have completed the first year of your undergraduate program and demonstrate the capability to maintain a Pass grade average.Participants are recognised on their AHEGs statement and are eligible for iLead points.

STUDENT MENTORING

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VOLUNTEERING IN THE COMMUNITY

Volunteering provides the opportunity for students to engage with their community. Listed below are some current opportunities:

The Hunter Volunteer Centre also has opportunities available with a variety of organisations such as:

Ronald McDonald House The Lock Up Wetlands

Hunter Youth Mentor CollaborativeRiding for the Disabled

Conservation AustraliaRed Cross

Hunter Life EtducationHouse with No Steps

Volunteering Experience

Participating in the University’s Speed Conversation

program for international students. This Program

brings Domestic and International Students together

to meet, chat and interact. After spending time

overseas as an international student, Brooke valued

the program as she could see how important it was

to empower international students. Brooke is also

completing the iLead program.

Name Brooke Muirhead

Age 22

Degree Bachelor of Social Work

Being part of the program has given me critical thinking skills and challenged my perception of the world.“

“

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SO, YOU WANT TO VOLUNTEER?THINGS TO CONSIDER FIRST

HOW MUCH TIME DO I HAVE TO GIVE?How much time can you give to volunteering? It is important to remember other commitments such as family, hobbies and your part time job.

WHEN CAN I VOLUNTEER?What amount of time can you commit? One hour, one day, one week, one month?When will suit you? Morning, afternoon or evening? Weekday or Weekend?Transport? Do you have access to a car or public transport?

WHAT TYPE OF VOLUNTEERING WOULD I LIKE TO DO?Do you want to work in your skill area?Are you better in a team or individually?What are you really passionate about?

Follow the guide on the next page and start volunteering!

HOW TO GET STARTED

STEP ONEFill in the enquiry formhttp://engage.newcastle.edu.au/resources/volunteering-enquiry-students/

STEP TWOHave you read?

z

STEP THREEIf you have any questions please contact the Community Engagement office on Phone: (02) 4985 4274 Email: engage@newcastle.edu.au

STEP FOURSubmit your enquiry online

• Code of conduct http://engage.newcastle.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/code-of-conduct1.pdf

• Volunteer Policy http://www.newcastle.edu.au/policy/000904.html

• Risk Management Policy http://www.newcastle.edu.au/policy/000601.html

• Occupational Health and Safety Policy http://www.newcastle.edu.au/policy/000921.html

COMPLETE THE STEPS

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TIMEBANKING

WHAT IS TIMEBANKING?

AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE

Timebanking is a community program that allows the voluntary exchange of services between members. It’s as simple as give an hour, receive an hour: by giving one hour to helping another member, you earn one hour of time credits which can be used to receive services that are of personal value such a dog walking, ironing, community gardening, massage, language tuition, painting, administrative assistance… you’re only restricted by your imagination.Everyone can be part of Timebanking as everyone has something to give.

TIMEBANKING AND VOLUNTEERING – WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?In Timebanking you are volunteering your time but, unlike traditional volunteering you are likely to be volunteering for another individual member of your community.Also, in Timebanking you earn time credits for giving services to another which you can then use to receive services that are useful and valuable to you.

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WHAT IF I DON’T WANT ANYTHING?You can still participate! If you don’t use the hours you earn, you can donate them to another Timebanking member by contacting your local timebanking coordinatorYour local timebanking coordinator can be contacted on 1300 786 176 or email hello@timebanking.com.au

Sign up

Visit www.timebanking.com.au and create an account

Registering as: IndividualCompany/Organisation Name:

University of Newcastle

2. Add services that you can offer to others and request one or two wants that you

may like in return.

6. Review wants and offers, add more of your

own and continue to enjoy Timebanking!

3. Review what other people want and find one you like, then get in contact with the requestor to arrange a time

and place to meet.

5. Once the service has been completed, log onto

the Timebanking website to claim your hours by entering

a single activity.

4. Provide the service, and please make sure you

stay safe when doing this!! Personal safety is always

important.

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VOLUNTEERING AND MY FUTURECAREER BENEFITS

Volunteering and EmploymentVolunteering is an effective way to gain relevant experience. For example, if you are interested in looking

for a graduate job in teaching, you could volunteer with a local charity such as Ronald McDonald House

helping with activities and learning for children.

When you are applying for jobs, you need to market yourself to employers and stand out from the crowd.

Volunteering will help you do this. In addition to your academic achievements, employers are keen to know

about other activities that you undertook at University.

Always mention your volunteering when you apply for jobs (in your covering letter and on your CV),

highlighting the skills and experience that you have gained.

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AHEGS

The Australian Higher Education Graduation

Statement (AHEGS) is a Commonwealth Initiative

that has been introduced to ensure Australian

qualifications are recognised and renowned

throughout the world.

The AHEGS record presented to graduates is

based on nationally agreed specifications; it is

additional to your academic transcripts. AHEGS

have potential to make Australian awards better

understood internationally and is an opportunity for

you to stand out from other graduates.

Volunteering opportunities recognised on AHEGS:

• iLead

• Student Mentors

• SNUG

• PASS

• Teach Outreach

• Student Ambassador

• LUCY Mentoring Program

STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD

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While completing my final professional placement for Occupational Therapy in Tamworth, I had the opportunity to volunteer with the University’s Department of Rural Health (UDRH), becoming involved in a number of their community projects over a twelve week period.One of these projects was the After School Learning Centre (ASLC). The Centre was established in a number of primary schools within the Tamworth community and targets children identified as disadvantaged, including both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students. The program runs every afternoon after school. Many sessions are led by health students with activities focused on their specific discipline. Through this project I had the opportunity to develop a seven- week program that focused on different skills and areas covered in Occupational Therapy including physical disabilities, fine motor skills, goal setting, relaxation, and art therapy.

I also had the opportunity to facilitate an activities-based education session during Midnight Basketball, a program which targets high school students and runs on Saturday nights. I feel these opportunities enriched my professional placement experience and I was able to gain increased skills and experience as well as feel like I had immersed myself within the local community. I was able to include a variety of activities that I had developed whilst still feeling supported by the staff at UDRH. I would recommend any student take up available volunteer opportunities on their placements, particularly in rural areas, as it’s a great way to further develop your skills and interests, challenge yourself, demonstrate your initiative and become a valuable community member even for a short period of time.

Written By Elizabeth Cooper

(Bachelor of Occupational Therapy)

CASE STUDY: UDRH AFTER SCHOOL LEARNNG CENTRE

ˆ Elizabeth Cooper with students attending the After School Learning Centre

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Emergency Architects exists to mobilise skilled volunteers to bring assistance to those in need due to natural disaster, climate change or armed conflict. This global independent not-for-profit organisation sends experienced architects and other built environment specialists to disaster areas to develop and implement appropriate and sustainable strategies for each phase of disaster relief. Emergency Architects Australia (EAA) has worked internationally in Pakistan, the Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Timor-Leste, Papua New Guinea and Aceh as well as providing relief efforts for the Queensland floods and Victorian bushfires. The University’s School of Architecture and Built Environment offers a 10 Unit Study Elective in Disaster Relief to third and fourth year Architecture

and Construction Management students. This

elective runs for two to four weeks during the

tertiary mid-year break as students participate on

EAA disaster relief projects in the Australasian

region.

“If we could get more students to experience the

human difficulties, the basics of life in providing for

a family, having shelter, using ‘at hand’ materials,

their career paths might be shaped by this

experience,” says His Excellency Mr Michael Bryce,

Patron for EAA Student Scholarships.

Volunteering with EAA offers students the

opportunity to develop invaluable skills and

understanding during their time abroad, as well as

awareness in the areas of cultural diversity and the

specialisation of humanitarian disaster relief.

EMERGENCY ARCHITECTS AUSTRALIA

SNUG (Special Needs Unlimited Group) is an outreach program run by the Family Action Centre for families who have a child with a rare health condition. Families attend a week-long residential camp where they participate in a range of fun activities. This experience gives families the opportunity to enhance resilience and wellbeing, while building supportive relationships with families in similar situations.

SNUG offers volunteering opportunities for students nearing completion of their undergraduate studies in fields that relate to children with disabilities such as speech pathology.

Volunteers live with a family with a child with a disability at Myuna Bay Recreational Facility during the six day residential programs. The live-in

volunteer program allows the undergraduate to

gain unique insight into the lives of the children and

their families. The volunteers are educated by the

Family Action Centre and professionally supervised

throughout the program.

SNUG

ˆ Canoeing at a SNUG Camp

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Undertaking placement at the Tom Farrell Institute has been of great benefit to my degree. I was able to help organise the Hunter Valley Electric Vehicle Festival - completing administrative duties and helping out on show days. I was also responsible for organising prize packs for the Schools EV Prize race component. With support from staff along the way, I was able to significantly contribute to a fantastic day for the 100+ students that participated.

When first going into placement, I didn’t expect to be given such independence. Volunteering gives you so many opportunities to develop your skills independently as well as receiving valuable guidance along the way. Not only did I secure sponsorship, I also helped manage their social media accounts as well as help coordinate and conduct surveys on the day of the festival. These tasks have made me a more versatile and organised person, which will certainly help me when entering the workforce. I am really glad I

undertook my placement with the Tom Farrell Institute because they made me feel like a part of the team. I encourage anyone to take on placement or volunteering as part of their studies. Practical experience is what makes your degree worth it.

Written by Leah Henkel (Bachelor of Communication)

Volunteering with RCDP International took University of Newcastle Business and Commerce student Emma Gallagher to Galle, Sri Lanka. During the program she worked in an orphanage, visited civil war location Jaffna, attended a traditional Buddhist funeral and essentially lived the Singhalese lifestyle. “Studying and volunteering abroad opens your eyes to the rest of the world,” says Emma. “You have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture and really get to know the people.” Working at the orphanage was a rewarding experience for Emma, particularly bonding with sixteen- month-old mentally disabled orphan, Rukshani Jimi. “Being able to make her smile, eat, and teach her things is something I will never forget,” Emma says. Even having to be rescued by the Sri Lankan Navy after being caught up in an enormous crowd of pilgrims during a festival in Jaffna hasn’t dampened Emma’s enthusiasm for volunteering. “RCDP International and the Country Coordinator,

Michael, were fantastic,” she says. “I have studied and volunteered abroad and both have given me confidence and maturity. It has really opened my eyes to how people in developing nations actually live.” Emma hopes that her experiences as a volunteer with RCDP International will help with her future career and study plans.

CASE STUDY: ILEAD

CASE STUDY: TOM FARRELL INSTITUTE

ˆ Emma Gallagher in Galle, Sri Lanka

ˆ Leah Henkel:Tom Farrell Institute volunteer

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QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE• Am I insured?• Do I need training?• Will I be reimbursed for travel?• What support will I be given?

When commencing a new volunteering role you need to keep these questions in mind. It is a goodidea to meet with your supervisor and go through any concerns you may have. It is important to remember that each volunteering organisation will have different policies and procedures for their volunteers.

SIGNIFICANT DATESWatch out for some great events in 2013

• National Volunteer Week – 13-19 May 2013• National Student Volunteer Week – 4-10 August 2013• International Volunteer Day – 5 December 2013

If you have any questions and to find out more information please contact the;

Community Engagement OfficeP: +61 2 4985 4274E: engage@newcastle.edu.auW: newcastle.edu.au/business-community/community/volunteering.html

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR WANT TO FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT THE

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT OFFICE:

P +61 2 4985 4274

E engage@newcastle.edu.au

W newcastle.edu.au/business-community/community/volunteering.html

Gardening•Mentoring•RaiseFunds•PlantTrees•Cooking•Talktopeople•WalkDogs•Tutoring•DonateyourProfessionalSkills•Cleaning•Driving•Ironing•CarWash•Teaching•Babysitting•Painting•ConservationActivities•

RonaldMcDonaldHouse•TheUniversityGallery•Wetlands•iLead•TheLockUp•TomFarrellInstitute•UCrew•StudentMentors•FamilyActionCentre•WattSpace•

This step by step guide will tell you everything you need to know…

WHAT DO VOLUNTEERS DO?

WHAT OPPORTUNITIES ARE THERE FOR UON STUDENTS?

WHAT DO I NEED TO DO?