We've been waiting.
As we approach the end of Term 3, there is a wind of change in the air. Exams will soon be over and things are slowly starting to open back up. The past year has been difficult for us all, but a return to some form of normality is now in sight. What a perfect time, then, to give back to your community, to enact positive change, and to immerse yourself in the world of volunteering. Our Volunteering Directory hosts hundreds of diverse opportunities. Our partnered charities are frequently uploading new and exciting roles, and are keen to see UCL students taking part. This week, I’ve chosen four of my favourite opportunities to share with you!
What better way to welcome the return to normality than through a community festival! In July, the organisers of the annual Bloomsbury Festival are hosting a one-off Welcome Back event in Bedford Square Gardens. There will be music, food, performances and community outreach programmes all throughout the day, with the aim of energising the community and bringing residents closer together. The organisers are seeking volunteers from UCL to help out on the day. This could be a great opportunity to give back to the Bloomsbury community that many of us have grown to love - or if you haven't been able to see much of campus this year, this will make you fall in love with the place!
Are you interested in sports? Do you enjoy content creating? We may just have the perfect opportunity for you! The fitness charity Not Just Football is looking for a sports podcast editor to assist in the filming and editing of a new sports and fitness podcast. The organisation facilitates sports activities for young people and elderly citizens, and you would be assisting them in spreading the importance of physical activity. Not only will you be showing your creative flair, you will be contributing to a great cause!
One of the most interesting opportunities currently available is the Missing Maps project. The British Red Cross is part of a global network which helps people that have been affected by disasters. The Missing Maps project addresses areas which have been struck by humanitarian crises, and which are often missing from any maps. By ‘mapping’ the places where these disasters have occurred, first responders are better equipped to help the vulnerable people involved. The great thing about this project is that you can login and help at any time - it is entirely flexible and can be done whether you're based in London or internationally. This is a low-commitment, high-impact project which will have positive global benefits for years to come.
The final opportunity that I would like to share involves working with The Conservation Volunteers. You will be volunteering with the ‘Camden Green Gym’ - a volunteering organisation focused entirely on planting trees and sowing meadows! The Conservation Volunteers are looking for UCL students to help with the gardening of parks and green spaces in and around Camden. Their slogan reads: ‘Natural Exercise to Make a Difference!’. This is a flexible role, operating in rain or shine, contributing to the natural up-keep of Camden’s green spaces.
The four opportunities listed above are just a small selection of the hundreds of diverse and exciting roles that are currently recruiting. Volunteering is a wonderful way to make friends, help the community and take part in something bigger than yourself. What a great way to start the summer!
Written by Georgia Box - Student Administrative Assistant