Student volunteering: case studies of good practice from HEACF

Overview of contents

Case studies are divided into the following nine sections according to the main focus of activity. Each section can be downloaded separately. The whole document (145 pages) can also be downloaded.

[ MS Word 988K | Zipped MS Word 248K | PDF 950K | Zipped PDF 449K ]

Accreditation and recognition

This section provides guidance to those who may be interested in implementing a system of recognition or accreditation for volunteers. The case studies explore a wide range of options – from academic credit to celebratory events, from in-house, tailored certification to optional learning resources.

Communications

These case studies explore the different mechanisms for communicating, in the first instance, with students and staff in order to recruit volunteers or raise awareness in local communities; as well communicating key messages to all stakeholders during the lifetime of the volunteering programmes.

Devolved projects

This section looks at best practice from institutions where responsibility for setting up volunteering programmes is not usually taken on by the manager of the HEACF, but by individuals or local groups. The HEACF provides funding for the brokerage or initiation of these placements and programmes.

Evaluation and sustainability

Evaluation of successes and failures is essential for HEIs to have a clear plan for embedding and developing projects funded under HEACF. Sustainability is part of this, to ensure that achievements can be built on. These case studies set out methods for conducting evaluation, and indicate areas to explore when devising an evaluation strategy and planning to ensure that projects will be sustainable.

Infrastructure

This section takes on some of the bigger issues faced by HEIs under the HEACF: such as what to do when no volunteering structure exists; how to reorganise volunteering for the whole institution; how to get students to take responsibility for running volunteering programmes; how to introduce monitoring and quality assurance systems.

Partnerships

Many HEIs have built upon volunteering work already established, and created partnerships with local community stakeholders to deliver HEACF projects. These case studies look at the different kinds of partnerships developed with, for example, Student Community Action, local councils, charities, and beneficiary organisations such as hospitals, schools and prisons.

Recruitment

These case studies explore both the promotional and practical aspects of recruitment. Key information on Criminal Records Bureau checking, volunteer registration and assessment of opportunities sits alongside the planning and execution of promotional and targeted campaigns to attract volunteers and generate volunteering opportunities.

Training

It is crucial for volunteers to have access to robust and transferable training and resources. This section explores the different forms that these can take: task-related training by outside organisations; recruiting a qualified trainer to develop and deliver courses for volunteers; creating detailed, accessible resources for volunteers' reference. It also provides information on training for staff in running volunteering programmes.

Vulnerable groups

Current political, economic and social conditions have led to three major areas of development in volunteering: with asylum seekers and refugees; with schools students at risk of exclusion; and with prisoners. These case studies focus on the special needs of these three groups.