Volunteer on WWII site in France!

Volunteers are urgently needed to renovate a WWII site on the coast near Boulogne, France. Organised by Concordia, the project involves construction manual work and accommodation will be in tents. Great experience and volunteers with an interest in history, esp. welcome to apply. Only 3 places left - half price registration fee of £90. Full details by ringing Concordia on 01273 422218 or email: info@concordiavolunteers.org.uk mention CONC182 in the subject heading

International Volunteering with Concordia

Concordia is a local organisation offering international volunteering opportunities to young people. They'll be in the Careers and Employability Centre on Monday 7 June 2010 at 1pm when you can find out how to take part in their programmes.

If you can't make it to that event, there's an open day at Concordia at their Portslade offices on Wednesday 16 June 2010. Further details can be found online.

Volunteers Week

It's Volunteers Week 1-7 June celebrating the contribution that millions of volunteers make across the UK. The Week plays a huge part in raising the profile of volunteers who regularly contribute to society, while inspiring others to get involved too.

If you are interested in volunteering you can find information on finding opportunities and how to make the most of volunteering on our website. It's also worth calling in to Project V, Sussex's community volunteering scheme as they have lots of summer projects available. It's based in the USSU Activities Centre round the corner from the Careers and Employability Centre in Falmer House.

Keep an eye on the blog for more on volunteering later in the week.

JOB SPOT

Not a paid job, but could be fun! City Reads are looking for volunteer bookcrossers to help them release lots of copies of From Russia with Love into the wilds of Brighton city centre - all you have to do is turn up at their stall in Jubilee Square on Saturday to collect some, then release!

They're also looking for helpers on the stall so if you can spare an hour between 11 and 2 on the day get in touch with Sarah via cityreadsbrighton@googlemail.com

Job spotted (via City Reads mailing list email): 15th March.

City Reads Volunteering

Volunteers are being sought for this year's City Reads project. There will be an informal meeting Tuesday 16 February 2010 5.30pm – 6.45pm at the Jubilee Library Learning Centre where you can find out which book has been chosen and how to take part.

This is a great opportunity to volunteer with books and reading. If you plan on joining in please RSVP to: cityreadsbrighton@googlemail.com

Brighton & Hove City Council V Talent Year

Brighton & Hove City Council are running a year-long placement scheme which offers training and development possibilities to young people aged 16-25. The placements take place within the council's Children and Young People's Trust in a variety of areas. The deadline for applications is 8 January 2010, more information can be found here.

Donate yourself to a charity of your choice with Vodafone World of Difference

Vodafone are offering 500 people the chance to take a two-month paid placement at a UK charity of their choice in 2010. If you're successful, the Vodafone Foundation will pay the charity you choose to work with £2500. You'll receive the balance left after the charity has paid all National Insurance and Tax contributions for your placement.
To apply just decide on the charity, contact them to discuss your placement, and complete the online application form. World of Difference is open to anyone 18 or over,anywhere in the UK and the deadline for applications is 3 November 2009. Apply here.

Projects Abroad Information Evening

Projects Abroad is running an information evening at BHASVIC, Dyke Road on Monday 3rd August 2009, 6-8pm. It will give you the chance to talk to ex-volunteers about their experiences abroad. Check out their website for more information

Open Day at Concordia

On Wednesday 1st July 2009 Concordia is having an open afternoon at their office on North Street, Portslade between 12 and 5pm. Pop in to have a chat about volunteering opportunities abroad with the staff and volunteers; this is a great opportunity to enquire about the new 2009 Summer Programme just released. Further information about Concordia and their projects can be found here

Open Day at Concordia

On Wednesday 20th May 2009 Concordia is having an open afternoon at their office on North Street, Portslade between 12 and 5pm. Pop in to have a chat about volunteering opportunities abroad with the staff and volunteers; this is a great opportunity to enquire about the new 2009 Summer Programme just released. Further information about Concordia and their projects can be found here

Volunteering Info Day

The International Voluntary Service is running an information day in London, on 9th May 2009 from 10am - 4pm. There will be speakers, information on projects being run and volunteers can answer questions on their own experiences of volunteering. More information can be found online.

Weekend Environmental Volunteer Project

Concordia International is running a weekend project Friday 17th - Sunday 19th April 2009 at the RSPCA, Mallydams Wood in Hastings. The weekend includes badger watching, camp fires and woodland environmental work. It is a residential opportunity and costs £30, you can apply online

Finding the right job in a recession - Top Tip # 2

2. Get involved with extra curricular activities - clubs, societies, teams and extra curricular activities offer opportunities for developing skills

Last week’s article was all about the importance of developing skills that employers will value. When you graduate employers will want to know what you have done outside of your degree subject.

Getting involved in extra curricular activities such as clubs, societies, committees, sports teams, part- time paid or voluntary work will not only help you develop new skills such as negotiation or presentation but can also be good fun!

It may help you to identify what type of work you enjoy, build your confidence or be a way of meeting new people. USSU has a number of opportunities to volunteer, including becoming a student representative to represent the views of other students. Or you could set up a student project and apply for funding from CDEC as part of the eXperience Factor- student enterprise fund. Write for the Badger or volunteer in the community. For volunteering opportunities contact Project V or look at the CDEC's volunteering opportunities.

You also need to be able to articulate the skills you have gained through these activities. We’ve got some ideas about identifying and selling your skills gained from volunteering over to an employer. But these principles can be applied to other activities too.

If you’re unsure about what sort of experience would be most relevant, or how to present it on your CV, come along and talk to a careers adviser. Call in or phone after 10 am on 01273 678429 to book for our daily drop-in sessions between 12-4pm (and 5-7pm on Wednesdays).