Current Students and Staff

Do you want to learn new skills, meet new people and help others?

Each year Volunteers’ Week takes place nationwide from 1 – 7 June. Did you know that Loughborough Students’ Union run many volunteering projects throughout the year, and that you don’t have to be a student to get involved?

Staff are eligible to apply for up to one working day (one day paid absence) each year (or pro-rata for part time staff) to undertake approved volunteer work.

Victoria Linthwaite, Human Resources Officer at the University, won the ‘Highly Commended’ Staff Award in 2016 for her contribution to Action projects including Contact the Elderly - an initiative that aims to reduce social isolation for elderly residents- and Sunday Roast, where staff and student volunteers cook and share a roast dinner with Loughborough residents in sheltered accommodation.

When asked why others should volunteer, Victoria said: “Beyond the typical benefits of voluntary work such as improved CV’s, the opportunity to try new things, meet new people, and discover skills you never knew you had (in my case bingo calling!), individuals should volunteer in order to receive little ‘moments’ of good feeling that are better than pay any day, because you feel you are making a real difference. “

“Some highlights from my volunteering include hearing a mute girl laugh for the first time, improving the maths skills of a young girl (who now knows that double 17 is not 14!), and during my work with Action I have taught three students how to make a cup of tea!”

LSU Action Executive Officer, Anna Milewska, commented: “Volunteer Week will not only aim to engage and inform our staff about the opportunities we offer, but also allow our students a vital break from revision.”

If you’re a staff or student, you can find out more about the great volunteering activities available at the University by contacting Anna Milewska, LSU Action Executive Officer, at ActionEO@lsu.co.uk, calling 01509 635041 or by visiting the LSU Action webpages.