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Meet the organisations who will be attending Work Experience Fair on Tuesday 29 September 2026.
A
The Army Reserve is part of the UK Defence supporting the Regular Army on deployment on operations and also on humanitarian missions as part of Military Aid to the Civilian Administration(MACA). Portsmouth has 5 army reserve units covering a range of skills from combat, engineering, logistics & medical as well as first-class military training we provide opportunities for adventure training & sport. If you are looking for a challenge, that will test you, has flexible spare time arrangements and will pay you.
What they offer:
- Part-time jobs
B
BXM Expeditions, established in 2010, is a UK-based provider of outdoor education and expedition services. Founded by an ex-teacher passionate about youth development and the outdoors, the company has expanded from a modest operation with 12 tents to one of the country's largest expedition providers. Specialising in programs like The Duke of Edinburgh's Award (DofE) and The Venture Award, BXM offers a range of expeditions tailored to young people across the UK. They collaborate with over 100 schools and annually facilitate expeditions for more than 9,000 participants.
What they offer:
- Part-time jobs
C
If you're interested in completing an optional work placement, you'll find all the help you need, from searching for a role through to support during your placement year. Evidence from past students shows that taking a placement year can build your professional network, boost job prospects and greatly improve your starting salary. Some other benefits include:
- Graduate with a professional mindset and industry experience
- Potential to be invited back for a graduate job role
- Boost your chance of getting a 2:1 or first-class degree
- Use your final year to explore and apply for jobs
- You’ll likely find better-paid, professional work faster if you have a placement year on your CV.
- Students who do placements are often offered a permanent job, back with their placement employer.
What they offer:
- Internal opportunities
Circles of Support and Accountability is committed to encouraging and promoting the rehabilitation, treatment, education and care of persons who have committed sexual offences, to reduce re-offending. Circles are also invested in the protection of, and care of, victims and others affected by offending behaviour.
What they offer:
- Volunteering opportunities
D
Daybreak is a charity working across the South of England, supporting children, young people and their families who are experiencing challenge, change or conflict. Through family-led decision-making processes, we empower families to have a voice and feel in control of the decisions that affect their lives. We deliver services in partnership with Children’s Social Services for those facing high-level safeguarding concerns, as well as through our flagship community prevention project in Portsmouth, Dragonfly. This project supports families who need help navigating change or challenge but are at lower risk and not engaged with Social Services.
What they offer:
- Volunteering opportunities
Decathlon is a family-owned company, founded in 1976, and inspired by the belief that the best sports products should be accessible to everyone.
Ever-evolving and high performance design, the best quality at the lowest possible price, and expert advice that customers of all ages, backgrounds and skill levels can access in-store or online, from anywhere, at any time, is what makes us who we are. And we’re pretty proud of that.
What they offer:
- Part-time jobs
E
An independent charity for the care, welfare and advancement of disabled people living in Portsmouth and the surrounding area. We work in partnership with disabled children and adults, their families and carers, to provide a range of high-quality, professional and confidential services.
What they offer:
- Volunteering opportunities
F
A registered charity working with local communities and businesses to highlight the impact of plastic pollution on our environment and to try to minimise the amount of plastic entering our local seas and wider oceans. We work with many different types of business on sustainability and to help them find ethical and sustainable alternatives to single-use plastic in their activities. We have a school outreach programme in the Solent area providing information to children through assemblies and workshops. We work with community groups, giving talks, running activities and encouraging people to avoid single-use plastic and how to best dispose of it if they do need to use it. We also run regular beach and community clean-ups.
What they offer:
- Volunteering opportunities
Here at FoodCycle our vision is to make food poverty, loneliness and food waste a thing of the past for every community.
We connect communities, reducing loneliness and food poverty – working with thousands of volunteers and surplus food to help everyone who needs us. By creating welcoming spaces for people from all walks of life to meet, eat and have conversations, and by offering a weekly telephone Check-in and Chat, we are supporting people’s health and mental wellbeing.
By cooking with surplus ingredients, we promote healthy, sustainable attitudes towards food and its impact on the environment, and help people to learn more about healthy food.
What they offer:
- Volunteering opportunities
Fratton Together Community Interest Company (FT) was established in 2023 to build on the work of Fratton Big Local (FBL). FBL was a Big Lottery Funded project that enabled local residents to shape change in Fratton over the past 10 years. This included the transformation of the Kingston Rec Play Area, the annual Fratton Family Festival and the Festival of Light Parade.
All FBL’s work was informed by local consultation which established priorities for the area, as is Fratton Together's work. In addition to continuing the programme of events local residents highlighted the need for better access to cheaper food and improving mental health and wellbeing. To this end Fratton Together opened a Community Pantry and is running workshops at its new premises 95 Fratton Road.
Pantries are part of a bigger picture of essential community food provision. While food banks provide support to those at crisis point, there are many more people facing food insecurity, especially since the pandemic and cost of living crisis, that still need support. Pantries also strengthen communities, foster friendships, loosen the grip of poverty and contribute to healthier, happier lives.
What they offer:
- Volunteering opportunities
G
At GSL Education, our core objective has always been guided by raising standards in education and providing a better opportunity for the disadvantaged. Established in 2000, we have continued to provide targeted support through tuition programmes; partnerships with the Institute of Education; and inspirational competitions for schools.
What they offer:
- Part-time jobs
Gunwharf Quays is home to over 90 famous brands all offering up to 60% off the regular retail price. If you love to shop then there really is no better place than Gunwharf Quays; with famous brands including Karl Lagerfeld, Kate Spade, Coach, Yankee Candle, Rituals, Hugo Boss, Mint Velvet and Joules. And when it’s time to relax you’ll find an array of bars, coffee shops and restaurants to tempt you from around the world.
What they offer:
- Part-time jobs
H
Student Watch is a Hampshire Constabulary initiative open to all University of Portsmouth students. This role works to support the work of the police in making Portsmouth an even safer city, by improving student awareness and community relations. Participating students are involved with at least 10 community initiatives that aim to keep students and community members safe and informed, giving volunteers the opportunity to develop invaluable work experience for their CV.
What they offer:
- Volunteering opportunities
We are the UK's biggest mixed youth organisation. We change lives by offering 6 to 25-year-olds fun and challenging activities, unique experiences, everyday adventure and the chance to help others so that we make a positive impact in communities. Scouts helps children and young adults reach their full potential. Scouts develop skills including teamwork, time management, leadership, initiative, planning, communication, self-motivation, cultural awareness and commitment. We help young people to get jobs, save lives and even change the world.
What they offer:
- Volunteering opportunities
Our home care, which is based on consistency and companionship offers a different option to those who would prefer to remain at home. Our Care Professionals provide tailored care and support to each of our clients to accommodate the level of support needed, whether that’s home help, companionship, personal care, dementia care or end of life care.
What they offer:
- Part-time jobs
Home-Start Portsmouth is a voluntary organisation that support parents to be the best they can possibly be to achieve the best outcomes for their children. Volunteers are a fundamental part of the Home-Start service and support families in a range of ways, providing practical and emotional 1:1 support, leading stay & play groups at Family Hubs, supporting at events and helping behind the scenes to make sure the charity runs smoothly.
What they offer:
- Volunteering opportunities
Humly connects talented educators with schools, nurseries and SEND settings across the UK, helping people find rewarding work that fits around their lives, studies and career goals. We recruit for a range of education roles, including Nursery Nurses and Practitioners, Teaching Assistants, Learning Support Assistants, SEN/SEND support roles and Teachers. Whether you're looking for part-time work alongside your studies, full-time employment, temporary or long-term opportunities, or your next permanent role, we can help you find an opportunity that suits you. We're passionate about working with people who genuinely enjoy working with children and young people.
What they offer:
- Part-Time opportunities
I
Welcome to Innovation Connect, your gateway to a thriving business ecosystem. We provide a range of business services at the University of Portsmouth, strengthened by personalised support from our partners at Barclays Eagle Labs. From flexible coworking and office spaces, well-equipped meeting rooms, dynamic event space and even a podcast room, with all-inclusive pricing you can focus on what matters most - growing your business.
Our engaged community offers ample networking and social events, including our popular monthly beer and pizza gatherings. As part of the University, we offer members valuable access to research, talent, and collaborative opportunities, enhancing your business growth potential. Meet our team, discover the resources available, and learn how we can help propel your business forward.
What they offer:
- Internal Opportunities
M
Magical Maths is an after-school maths programme for primary aged children. The children participate in after-school sessions that will leave them ‘wowed’ and amazed whilst practising their curriculum maths. Magical Maths sessions are quite the spectacle; we’ve got a genius professor, world class detectives, mind reading magicians and eccentric athletes, all dedicated to making maths fun for primary school children.
What they offer:
- Part-time Jobs
N
A non-profit organisation specialising in the support of people with Learning Disabilities, in the form of training. Knowledge about relationships and sexual education is often something we overlook and take for granted. However, this area of life is commonly neglected when teaching those with learning disabilities about safe sex and relationships (RSE) which consequently puts them in a vulnerable position where they may be at risk. This is where AreYou steps in, which provides the opportunity within a safe, judge free environment to educate about various relationship types, what makes them healthy and how to remain safe with sexual encounters. However, AreYou is not solely an RSE service due to its partnership with other companies under the Neuro Disability Network. Together, we provide both educational and social opportunities to those with learning disabilities to enhance both their understanding and social connections.
What they offer:
- Volunteering opportunities
O
Looking for a fresh opportunity this season? Off to Work is expanding our team across the Home Counties and South West London, and we’re searching for passionate hospitality professionals ready to shine. Whether you’re an experienced waiter, bartender, barista, chef, or kitchen porter — or simply eager to get started in the industry
What they offer:
- Part-time Jobs
P
Portsmouth City Council manages a variety of parks and garden spaces throughout the city. These spaces are free to visit and are maintained to support health and wellbeing, biodiversity, and climate change. The council provides facilities for community events, guided walks, and self-guided tours, ensuring that all parks and open spaces are available for everyone.
What they offer:
- Volunteering opportunities
PHL are an established and expanding healthcare organisation responsible for providing a variety of urgent and primary health care services across Hampshire. As well as directly operating several urgent care services, PHL also offers consultancy and professional services to NHS and independent organisations.
What they offer:
- Part-time jobs
Portsmouth Cathedral, the Cathedral of the Sea, is a distinctively spiritual and prayerful space. Dating back to 1180 the original chapel dedicated to Thomas of Canterbury became a parish church in the 14th century and a Cathedral in the 20th century. Covering south-east Hampshire, Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight, the Cathedral is the centre of a vibrant Christian community offering worship and mission.
What they offer:
- Volunteering opportunities
The Portsmouth Award is our online employability programme designed to help you reflect on the skills you develop through extra-curricular activities, explore career options, and increase your confidence to apply for future opportunities. The Award has three elements to work towards. As you complete each element, you will be issued digital badges and will receive a final digital certificate, having completed activities across all three elements.
As you engage with The Portsmouth Award, you will have:
- More confidence in presenting your value to employers. This will include increased clarity on the skills, strengths and values you can offer, and the relevance of your work experience
- More confidence in how to research different sectors, employers and opportunities to consider the best fit for you
- A greater understanding of what graduate employers are looking for through their recruitment processes and more confidence in your ability to navigate those processes.
Portsmouth Climate Action Board want our city to be at the forefront of the evolution that the climate emergency demands of us. That means transforming the way we do business, shop, travel, grow our food and power our homes. Discover who we are and how we can get there together.
Portsmouth Climate Action (PCA) helps local residents and organisations better understand the danger of burning fossil fuels, and the many benefits of reducing our emissions. The organisation partners with local community groups, schools, the University and businesses to lower their carbon footprint and create a greener, healthier, more prosperous city.
What they offer:
- Volunteering opportunities
Portsmouth became a member of the Football League in 1920. The club has won the top division in England on two occasions (1949 and 1950). They have also won the FA Cup twice (1939 and 2008). In the 2000s, the club has been close to bankruptcy, but economically saved when the Russian businessman Vladimir Antonov took over the club in 2011. Two of the most known players in the team during the years are Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch.
What they offer:
- Part-time jobs
We take pride in our stewardship of the buildings and spaces within Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and at Priddy’s Hard in Gosport, as well as the historic vessels in our collection. Our role extends beyond mere physical preservation; we are the custodians of their stories. Our position is unique, entrusted with the care and preservation of the buildings and spaces linked to the Royal Navy around Portsmouth Harbour. This responsibility is not just our priority but our passion.
What they offer:
- Volunteering opportunities
R
RGIS is a global organisation and the market leader in inventory solutions. We provide inventory and stock taking services to a wide range of retail customers. We deal with some of the largest names on the high street and we are looking to recruit motivated, positive people who enjoy physical work and can commit to flexible work patterns.
What they offer
- Part-time jobs
S
Our mission is to deliver a range of innovative programmes with a view to making Portsmouth the number one UK city in which to invest, live, learn, work, and visit. We bridge the gap between local education, business, and community sectors to deliver projects focused on economic growth, education improvement, and community support. Aiming to create a vibrant, inclusive city by fostering partnerships and volunteering, with a focus on delivering long-term, sustainable improvements for Portsmouth.
What they offer:
- Volunteering opportunities
Share (Portsmouth) was formed with the aim to make it easier for people to reduce carbon, waste and raw material use through sharing, repairing and re-use, through our two projects: Portsmouth Library of Things & Repair Cafe Portsmouth.
The Portsmouth Library of Things helps people to borrow items that they infrequently use and Repair Café Portsmouth allows repairers to share their skills with people who have broken objects that generally aren’t able to be repaired on the high street. Both projects help to reduce waste and carbon, as well as saving people money.
What they offer:
- Volunteering opportunities
Solent Mind is part of a network of over 100 Local Minds who tailor trusted mental health services to our communities. We set our own strategies, partnerships and rely on the support of our brilliant local fundraisers. We collaborate with Mind to make sure their pioneering campaigns, information and research makes a difference in Hampshire. Together, we make better mental health possible both locally and nationally. Our vision is for a world where everyone experiencing a mental health issue receives support and respect. Our mission is to make sure anyone in our community experiencing a mental health issue has somewhere to turn to for advice, information and support.
What they offer:
- Volunteering opportunities
Solent Original Walks CiC was formed in 2024 to generate funding by personal donations and corporate fundraising for local suicide prevention charities, by offering a range of different heritage walks around Portsmouth & Southsea. They partner with local community organisations, leisure & tourism partners and historical & educational providers to create original and informative Walking experiences.
What they offer:
- Volunteering opportunities
Southsea Skatepark is one of the UK’s oldest and most iconic outdoor skateparks. The charity was formed to protect, maintain, and develop the skatepark for future generations—supporting wheeled‑sports users of all ages, including skateboarders, scooter riders, BMX riders, quad skaters and more. As a community‑driven organisation, we aim to provide a safe, inclusive, and positive place for young people and adults to be active, social, and creative.
What they offer:
- Volunteering opportunities
Summerley Recruitment are a specialist Hospitality & Catering agency based in Chichester who provide temporary work to students for event like Weddings, Music Festivals, Sporting Events, Christmas parties, as well as hotels and restaurants. We supply the following type of staff: bartenders, waiting staff, baristas, till staff,kitchen porters.
What they offer:
- Part-time work
Made Smarter is a UK Government Business and Trade Project. As a digital technology intern, you’ll be working on an exciting live project integrating new technologies into a manufacturing or engineering business. This is a paid role, offering you the opportunity to work for a top maker, and be given the chance to test out all your skills and knowledge gained at university. Plus, the placement will be tailored to align with your own career interests and needs.
What they offer:
- Part-time jobs
T
TGI Fridays is an American casual dining restaurant chain focusing primarily on American cuisine. The restaurant's name stands for "Thank God It's Friday". We’ve got long history behind the bar, TGI Fridays bartenders even trained Tom Cruise for his role in the film ‘Cocktail’! Our teams are looking forward to welcoming you to our restaurants where you can socialise, have fun & make memories.
What they offer:
- Part-time jobs
The Thinking Schools Academy Trust is a multi-academy trust dedicated to transforming life chances through exceptional education. It operates across 26 schools in the South East, South, East, and South West of England, supporting pupils from early years to sixth form.
What they offer:
- Part-time jobs
The Elizabeth Foundation facilitate early diagnosis for babies and preschool children with all degrees of deafness and provide comprehensive educational and support services for these children and their families. By doing so we enable young deaf children to develop their listening and spoken language skills, as well as build their self-esteem and we give their parents the confidence and knowledge to make informed decisions on behalf of their child.
What they offer:
- Volunteering opportunities
U
The ambassador scheme offers undergraduate and postgraduate students the chance to represent the University at both on-campus and off-campus events. You’ll be involved in things like open days, campus tours, higher education fairs, and school workshops. The scheme helps inspire others to explore higher education and consider studying at the University of Portsmouth. As a University Ambassador, you’ll be a positive role model and a key part of this work.
What they offer:
- Part-time work
The Chaplaincy is a safe and inclusive social space, open to all students and staff, regardless of values and beliefs. Our facilities include: The Sanctuary – a quiet multi-faith room for reflection, stillness and personal prayer; Confidential support to all students and staff – one-to-one chats with one of our chaplains are available, via telephone, remote video call or face to face and can be booked via email or telephone. Drop-in’s are also possible.; Muslim prayer rooms – available in the Nuffield and Mercantile Buildings with ablution facilities for Muslim staff and students, and separate ablution facilities for Brothers and Sisters; Information – we have a small library of books, magazines and information about other support services and local places of worship; Social Space - The Chaplaincy space is a relaxing, chill out zone, open daily during normal university working hours, and serving free tea and coffee. We also hold events such as our Paint a Mug week for Freshers. The space is also used as a venue in the evenings for student and staff groups and societies to get together.
What they offer:
- Internal Opportunities
The University of Portsmouth Students’ Union is a vibrant, forward thinking organisation with a vision of "delivering a positive impact with every Portsmouth student”. As a charity led by its values and guided by its students, the Union provides wide-ranging services and activities for the 20,000 + students of the University of Portsmouth. The Union is based in the centre of Portsmouth, employing approximately 35 career staff and a further 35 student staff. The organisation also works with over 1000 registered student volunteers and over 100 student groups.
What they offer:
- Volunteering & Paid opportunities
V
Are you looking for a way to make a difference in the community and learn new skills at university? Volunteering is a great way to give make an impact in the community, boost your skills and meet new people. Volunteering for a charity that you care about will enhance your time at uni and improves you career prospects once you graduate. Some students even receive a professional reference from the charities they volunteer with, which helps them stand out in the graduate job market. Some of the benefits include:
- Build transferable skills to enhance your CV
- Network, meet new friends and boost your confidence
- Improve your wellbeing
- Give back to the community
- Apply your skills to the workplace
- Gain practical experience to include in future job applications
What they offer:
- Internal Opportunities
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