Community Volunteering support a number of student-led volunteering projects, all of which have been planned and managed solely by volunteers.
If you have an idea for an opportunity that's not listed on our website, why not start up your own project? Projects can be one-off events, short-term workshop sessions, or year round opportunities, and can be in any area. The Students' Union have a Community Volunteering Project Fund which is used to fund student-led projects, so if you've got an idea for a voluntary project which uses up to £500 to benefit the community, you can request an information pack by contacting volunteering@southampton.ac.uk.
Please see below for an example of some of the projects funded by this year's Community Volunteering Project Fund. Please contact volunteering@southampton.ac.uk if you would like any more information about any of the opportunities.
Erasmus Society Buddy Scheme
The Erasmus Society 'Buddy Scheme' is a new initiative aimed at intergrating Exchange students into University life and British culture/society. This scheme will recruit volunteers from students at the University of Southampton to buddy up with students who are studying in Southampton for only 1 or 2 semesters. It is an entirely voluntary scheme coordinated by the society under the leadership of a Buddy Scheme Coordinator.
Erasmus Society received funding from Community Volunteering to cover the cost of publicity, handbooks, training materials, administration and two welcome events.
Live Music Workshops
The aim of the Live Music Workshops is to bring live music to the local community by holding music workshops in local schools. The music workshops aim to teach children in local schools the basics of each instrument so students get the chance to experience and play live music. Members of the Live Music Society (LiveSoc) volunteer to bring the skills they've learnt to school children in the local community, and performances are given by members of LiveSoc for children to experience a live performance.
Live Music Society received funding from Community Volunteering to cover the cost of replacement guitar strings/drum sticks and transport to and from the schools.
Southampton University Conservation Volunteers (SUCV)
SUCV carry out a number of conservation projects in the Southampton area, with the aim of conserving and restoring local areas. One of these is based at Southampton Common, where SUCV work to clear a large area of small trees and brambles, to restore the ground to heath land as it once was when the common used to graze on by cows. The benefits of doing this are to improve the quality of the land and to encourage the growth of species that thrive on heath land. A second is based at Broadlands Valley, where SUCV are continuing to work closely with Southampton City Council to make this green way a safe and pleasant one for the people that use it.
SUCV received funding from Community Volunteering to cover the cost of equipment, transport and refreshments for their volunteers.
Baby SUSO
Baby SUSO is a small version of Southampton University Symphony Orchestra, and is being taken into primary and secondary schools to play short concerts after school or in assemblies. With decreasing numbers of younger people going to classical concerts the aim of the project is to get younger people excited about classical music. The orchestra is conducted by student conductors, and the repertoire includes some recognisable classical works as well as some film music such as Pirates of the Caribbean and Harry Potter.
Baby SUSO received funding from Community Volunteering for rehearsal venue hire, purchase of music and transport for volunteers.
