Find and apply for volunteering opportunities
When you volunteer, you'll apply the knowledge you gain from your degree to a cause you care about. You'll also improve your career prospects by developing your employability skills and gaining experience working in a professional environment.
Our Volunteering Team is here to support you with securing volunteering opportunities. Each year, we promote more than 200 roles through our Volunteering Bank with charities, social enterprises, community groups, schools, public services such as the police and NHS, theatres, museums and more.
Why volunteer?
Volunteering while you're a student means you can:
- Develop transferable skills and enhance your CV to support your graduate job applications
- Step outside your comfort zone and experience different working environments
- Connect with like-minded people and engage with the Portsmouth community
- Get practical experience and watch your confidence grow
- Improve your wellbeing and give back to the local community
- Share the skills from your course with not-for-profit organisations
- Gain work experience to contribute towards The Portsmouth Award
Building good relationships with organisations can also lead to professional references, networking opportunities, additional training and more. Make the most of your time volunteering, as the more you put into your experience, the more you will benefit.
Find volunteering opportunities
Our Volunteering Team are here to support you with finding and securing exceptional volunteering roles.
Examples of places you can volunteer
- Charities that support young people to reduce offending, help survivors of domestic abuse or help people with conflict resolution issues
- Local museums, art galleries, charity shops and food banks
- Charities that provide extra help to hospital patients, visitors and staff
- Local schools helping pupils with reading, coding and other classroom activities
- Local authorities such as the police, council and libraries
- On projects that engage the younger generation in STEM activities
Search our Volunteering Bank on MyCareer
Our volunteering opportunities are advertised through MyCareer. When you log in, select the "Search" button at the top and choose "Search volunteering roles". You also have the option to search by specific sectors.
Thinking about volunteering abroad?
Check our guide for International Volunteering Opportunities and learn all the things you need to consider.
How to apply
Details on how to apply will also be listed on the role description in the "How to apply" section. You might be asked to:
- complete application form
- upload a CV and cover letter
- apply directly to an organisation via an external website
Once you submit your application, you'll receive email updates and instructions for your next steps.
Tips for submitting a great application
Applying for a volunteering role is a competitive process. Consider the following when preparing your application:
- Why you've chosen to apply to this particular opportunity
- What skills and experience you could bring to the role
- What you hope to achieve during your time volunteering
- That you've researched the organisation and understand what they do
Keep us updated
The Volunteering Team will make contact with you by telephone or email throughout the year to see if there is any further support you may need. In the meantime, if you have an update on your application, let the Volunteering Team know by completing this short form.
Already Volunteering?
We're keen to hear about the volunteering activities you've done while studying in Portsmouth. We keep a record of any volunteering activities you apply to through our Volunteering Bank, but we can also verify the volunteering roles you find independently.
Tell us about your volunteering experience, by completing our short form.
Contact the Volunteering Team
If you've got any questions about volunteering, contact the Volunteering Team at volunteering@port.ac.uk
Get more guidance on jobs and work experience
Part-time jobs guide
Learn how we can support you with securing paid, part-time work while you study.
Placements
Increase your employment opportunities and strengthen your skills by completing a placement.
Working globally
Get experience working abroad during your vacations or when you graduate with our international job-hunting resources.
