Volunteering Opportunities

Craft and Food Fair volunteers needed for September 2022 onwards

· Would you like to be involved in setting up and running the next Craft and Food Fair in the Students' Union?

· Would you like to help shape and develop the project further, and help keep it a regular fair for students and staff?

- Would you like to set up our NEW monthly hot food fairs?

- Or are you just interested in helping out on the day?

Then we need YOU!

In 2017 we secured funding from NUS Student Eats to establish a Farmers' Market in the students' union and we have so far run several successful markets on campus. It is a place where students and staff, as well as members of the public, have the opportunity to buy fresh, locally produced food. In 2018 we added craft stalls and have now established a popular Craft and Food Fair which we hold 3 times a year.

There are a number of different roles you can take on such as research, planning and promoting the market, liaising with stallholders, organising finances, and ensuring the smooth running of the market on the day. We also have our Student Section - so you could help source and book student businesses to attend the fair.

This type of role would suit someone looking for an exciting project to volunteer with, who likes to make their mark, and has strong organisational and team work skills. In return you will be a vital part of the team and gain lots of transferable skills which will inevitably help your employability after university.

Please note the next Craft and Food Fair will take place at Freshers 2022 so you should able to help for at least part of this. 

You don’t need to be available for the whole planning process to be involved, please email suvolunteering@uclan.ac.uk and sign up here if you just want to be involved on a one-off basis or just help on the day!

If you would like to get involved register here now and we will contact you with more details.

Remember: all SU volunteering projects count towards the Volunteering Award so this is a great opportunity to boost your volunteering hours!

We need your help to change the way people think and act about mental health problems. Join thousands of campaigners in workplaces, schools, communities and online who are making stigma and discrimination a thing of the past.

Become a Mental Health Matters volunteer!

Negative attitudes stop people with mental health problems getting the help and support they need. Volunteers on this project use their experience of mental health problems to change the way people think and act about mental health. Over the past few years, volunteers have organised a number of UCLan Time to Talk Day events and got students and staff talking about mental health.

“Being a Time to Change Champion has really empowered me to speak about my own diagnosis, without shame or fear. My ability and confidence in talking about my experiences with mental health have grown enormously.” – former UCLan SU Time to Change Champion

Why join us?

· As a volunteer, you will be at the heart of our campaign to change people’s attitudes towards those of us with mental health problems.

· It’s an opportunity to build skills and experience in areas like public speaking, planning events and using social media.

· You’ll get the opportunity to meet and campaign alongside like-minded people in the SU.

Register your interest by signing up now.

We are looking for committed volunteers with a passion for Football to take on one of our SU 11-a-side teams (Non-BUCS).

These teams play on Wednesday afternoons at the UCLan Sports Arena against teams made up of other UCLan students.

Managers are responsible for the following;

• Keeping in regular communication with the Social Sports Coordinator
• Recruiting students to play for your team
• Communicating details to your team such as fixture times etc
• Ensuring all players have paid membership (£40)
• Ensuring all SU owned playing kit is looked after and returned

All of this, and more, is done under the support and guidance of the Social Sports Coordinator

Do you want to give back to the local community?

Do you want to improve your skills?

Are you short of time for regular volunteering?

Why not try volunteering at our One-off Wednesdays?!

Have you taken part in some volunteering as part of OOW?!

Then register your hours on the website here now! When you log hours, please make sure you specify which opportunity you took part in. 

Additionally, please join our Teams group to be the first to be notified when we have new activities to take part in.

What is a community fridge?

A community fridge is a space where anyone can exchange food that would otherwise go to waste. Run by local volunteers, many fridges also provide a positive social space for local visitors to learn more about food, sustainable eating, growing your own and eating on a budget. The UK’s first community fridge was trialled in 2016. Since then, 100s of community fridges have taken root across the UK helping thousands connect to their neighbours, access nutritious food, save money and reduce waste.

What is our project?

We have been lucky enough to have recieved some funding to get a new community fridge area in the Students' Union which we are now looking for a team of volunteers to help set up and run. The roles will be varied, from sourcing surplus food locally, to stocking the fridge and keeping it up to date, to marketing and branding. You can get involved as much or as often as you want. We need volunteers who are available from now, right through next year as this is initially a 12 month project with a view to extending it if its popular. We are planning to launch the fridge in September 2022.

How do I sign up?

Sign up here and we will be in touch when we arrange the first meeting. You can only be a part of this project if you're a student next academic year (2022-23).

We look forward to you getting involved!