Origami Volunteering Project (OVP) is a student-lead volunteering organisation that aims to provide stress-relief and a creativity outlet through the art of origami.
Previously, OVP has collaborated with a wide range of organisations, spanning from care homes to hospitals, thus extending this opportunity to individuals of varying backgrounds and ages, from children to the elderly. We are delighted to say that we have received a lot of positive feedback in the past few years, and many of our partners have expressed their intention to continue their collaboration with us in the upcoming year.
We have a range of opportunities where some volunteers can be more flexible in when they volunteer, as well as opportunities where we would expect regular attendance from our volunteers. You do not need to be an expert in origami to join us as long as you are eager to learn in our teaching workshops for volunteers! You are also very welcome if you have some experience in origami or if you are an origami enthusiast.
We all look forward to welcoming you to OVP!
In the upcoming year, we are partnering with several organisations which include care homes, hospitals and schools. Due to safety and legal requirements, all volunteers must have a valid DBS check before attending volunteering sessions at our partner organisation. You can obtain this free of cost through the Volunteering Service.
*For those volunteering with UCLH, all must have a valid DBS check from within the past year as well as completion of online volunteering training created by UCLH.*
University College London Hospital (UCLH)
- Up to 6 volunteers will be present in each session and volunteers will go around wards in pairs.
- You will be teaching origami to patients at their bedside or within the children's playroom if you are assigned to the children's wards.
- You will adhere to health and safety protocols while volunteering on the wards for the safety of the patients, the staff and yourself.
Moorfields Eye Hospital
- You will be volunteering in the paediatric waiting room and teaching both children and carers origami.
- Children and/or their carers may come and express their interests in making origami, you will need to be ready to accommodate new individuals joining in.
- You are more likely to teach multiple individuals in one go.
Care homes
- You will be teaching origami to residents of a care home.
- Volunteers and residents will be split into small groups of around 2 volunteers and 2-3 residents.
Schools
- You will be teaching origami in the after-school club organised between the school and OVP.
Some people volunteers work with may also have disabilities that can make the activity a bit hard for the individual, such as being hard of hearing or trouble seeing properly. In these cases, volunteers are encouraged to be open to these situations and to be ready to adapt the way they are working with the individual to better suit their needs and improve their experience.
The workshop gives volunteers the chance to learn some origami pieces taught by project leaders, other volunteers or tutorial booklets/online resources. It is also a chance to try teaching some pieces themselves as well as to get some origami paper for them to practice in their own time. This is to ensure volunteers are confident in teaching origami both from memory or from a tutorial sheet that will be provided at volunteer sessions (however due to infection control in hospitals, volunteers will be encouraged to memorise pieces instead). It is highly recommended for volunteers to attend these where possible before going to a volunteering session.
Additionally, the workshop is a good place for volunteers to ask questions if they have any, such as regarding DBS checks (as these training sessions do not require one, but volunteering sessions do).
- For those interested in volunteering at schools and the hospitals, the online "Volunteering with Children" course must be completed prior to attending the sessions.
- For those recruited as UCLH volunteers, in addition to the online "Volunteering with Children" course, the online UCLH volunteers training course must also be completed prior to attending the sessions.
Time commitment
*UCLH volunteers need to be ready to commit to regular weekly volunteering as well as complete the online UCLH volunteering training course.
- Sessions are held from 10:00-12:00 every Saturday in both term 1 and term 2.
- Around 10 volunteers will be recruited for UCLH and up to 6 will attend each session.
Moorfields Eye Hospital
- Sessions are held 14:00-16:00 every Wednesday in both term 1 and term 2.
- Up to 5 volunteers will attend each session.
Care homes
- Sessions are held 14:30-15:30 every Wednesday from mid-November to mid-December.
- Up to 6 volunteers will attend each session.
Grey Coat Hospital School (TBC in term 2)
- Around 3 sessions are held 15:30-16:30 in term 2, mid January to early February.
- Up to 5 volunteers will attend each session.