Tag Archives: volunteering

BU Sports Development Expedition 2016

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camps-internationalSportBU are joining up with Camps International again this academic year, offering students the opportunity to work with rural communities in Kenya to develop a sports festival in the local school.

Barry Squires, SportBU, who has organised a presentation evening on 8 October about the 2016 expedition says: “This is a fantastic opportunity for any BU student to experience something many of us will never have the chance to. We’re looking for students who are enthusiastic, motivated and want to develop themselves as global citizens. There’s also financial support available from BU’s Global Horzions Fund to help make this possible. There’s no set limit of the number of students who can go, and we welcome applications from students of all backgrounds and courses.”

The group of students on the 2015 Expedition visited Camp Tanga in Tanzania for four weeks from mid-August earlier this year. Adam Arthur, BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy student, says:  “When I first signed up for this trip I was hoping for an experience of a life time and I am delighted to say I have achieved this. In coming to this area where the only challenge in life is survival  I am proud to say I have helped to improve the lives of many of the school children and helped a head teacher to reintroduce sport into their curriculum at Boma Primary School so we can leave behind a SDX legacy. On a personal note I have gained many new experiences and feel as if I have grown as a person and in character in coming on this trip”.

Scott Wilkes, BSc (Hons) Sports Development & Coaching Sciences student, adds “This was the first time I had ever experienced anything like this and therefore had no idea what to expect. Speaking to the kids and getting to know them really makes you appreciate everything you have at home”.

Josh Green, fellow BSc (Hons) Sports Development & Coaching Sciences student shared: “this trip has helped me mature both as a person and as a sports coach and will help me improve my standard of coaching in the future – eel like the school has benefitted a huge amount from our efforts which made the whole thing worthwhile”.

The team have put together a blog of their collective experiences in the hope it encourages other students to get involved. Here’s a short extract about some of the practical elements of the project:

“The places you go are different to what you normally visit. The time you spend here will provide you with an unforgettable memory that will stay with you for many years. Watching the football and netball teams play helped us gain a better understanding of their needs and ability which we would soon be coaching. Theory lessons were introduced to ensure all the students were aware of international rules, to help compliment there technical and physical ability.”

As well as the work with the community and school, the group did have some down time at the weekends: “These are our days to come together as a group and enjoy what Tanzania has to offer. What is great about these times is that the opportunity to choose from a wide variety of activities such as, kayaking, scuba diving, snorkelling, and venturing to the nearby towns to spend nights out the African way. These were our periods in the trip after working hard for the kids throughout the weekdays to come together to celebrate and experience Africa. They can also be a chance to catch up on much deserved R and R on the beach topping up that tan or join the villagers to cook their local favourite dishes”.

Read the groups full blog on Camps International and watch the video on BU’s YouTube channel.

To find out more, go along to the presentation evening on Thursday 8 October at 7.15pm in the Lawrence lecture theatre, Talbot Campus. If you can’t attend, visit Barry in SportBU, or look on MyCareerHub for details.

BU Careers & Employability support available to ALL BU students and graduates

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The support offered both on and off campus by the BU Careers & Employability Service includes:-

Careers & Employability Centre, Edge Student Development Centre, Talbot Campus The-Edge

You can drop in to our career centre in the Edge Student Development Centre (outside the Talbot Campus library), Mon – Fri between 8.45am – 4.30pm, and speak to members of the team about your careers and employability needs, loan out job hunting and application books, as well as pick up free careers and job hunting guides.

Access to the ‘MyCareerHub’ Online Careers System

Accessible 24/7 you can access the following with your BU username and password:-

*Careers advisors will see students from any course but they are also attached to the Schools/Faculties as follows:-

  • Jane Pimblett – Media
  • David Wakeford – Sci/Tech
  • Lynne Jones –Business, Law, Tourism, Hospitality, Retail, Events, Sport
  • Adrian Cuthbert – Business, Law, Health & Social Care

School/Faculty related careers and job hunting resources

To help you with finding careers and jobs within a specific sector, there is a whole section on MyCareerHub dedicated to providing resources for different job sectors to help you with identifying potential employers, job opportunities and careers information as follows:-

  • Online Job Sites
  • Employer Directories
  • Recruitment Agencies
  • Useful Organisations
  • Making Job Applications
  • Potential Earnings & Salary
  • Careers Information
  • What do BU Grads do after Graduation
  • Further advice & guidance

To access the ‘Sector Resources’ in MyCareerHub click here

Find us on Social Media!

  • BU Twitter Page – keep up to date with recruitment news, vacancies, job search hints and tips
  • BU Employability Blog – selection of useful articles sourced from around the web to help with the career planning and job application process

Other ways to contact us

  • 01202 961663

Key Opportunities to boost the CV!

  • Student Development Award – Valuable award helping students to stand out from the crowd and equip them with the skills that employers will find impossible to resist! Find out more here
  • Global Horizons Fund – Want to experience another culture? Want to boost your CV with an international experience? The Global Horizons fund could help! Find out more here
  • BU Volunteering – Lots of opportunities on campus to boost your CV through volunteering. Find out more here
  • Latest Competitions & Opportunities – The BU Careers & Employability blog features all the latest competitions and opportunities to boost your CV. Find out more here

BU Careers Support available to BU students AFTER graduation

  • Once you have graduated, you are still entitled to use the services of the Careers & Employability Service for up to 3 years from graduation, including access to MyCareerHub, whether you stay in the Dorset area or relocate to another area of the UK.

Become a Student Minds Facilitator… Last chance to apply!

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student-mindsJoin the team at Student Minds, the UK’s student mental health charity! We’re looking for student volunteers to help run a brand new Positive Minds Course at Bournemouth University, providing peer-to-peer support for students experiencing mild depression.

We provide a fantastic opportunity for students who are interested in receiving training and on-going support in delivering this project. Successful applicants will join us for a two-day facilitator training workshop covering all the basics of running a safe and effective support group, from listening skills to publicity and lots more.

By creating a positive atmosphere for talking about mental health, we aim to give students the confidence to look after their own wellbeing. This is an opportunity not only to make a real difference to student life but also to develop your own skills and experience!

Applications close on Monday 30 March at Midday so don’t miss out!

For more information about the course and how to apply visit: www.studentminds.org.uk/peer-support-training Or contact vicky@studentminds.org.uk with any questions. You can also contact Sarah Worley, Wellbeing Co-Ordinator at BU Student Emotional Wellbeing Service, for an informal chat about applying on 01202 965020 or email scounsel@bournemouth.ac.uk.

BUDI Orchestra Volunteering Opportunity

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BUDI-imageBU’s Dementia Institute (BUDI) are teaming up with professional musicians from the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra to create a music group for people with dementia and their carers.

We are looking for up to 5 students to work alongside the musicians, to plan and run the workshops with people with dementia and their carers. You will support them to learn new instruments, sing and re-learn previous skills.

We’re looking for volunteers with a genuine interest in working with older people, and those who are able to commit to most, if not all, of the 8 weekly sessions. We also ask that individuals have some musical knowledge, either through singing or playing an instrument, as you will be supporting people to maintain rhythms and sing along to the music.

For more information about the project, please see our YouTube Video.

The workshops will run for 8 weeks, from Wednesday 4 February – Wednesday 25 March 2015, in the Student Hall, Talbot Campus. These rehearsals will culminate in a final performance on Friday 27 March, in the Atrium, Talbot Campus, to showcase the group’s efforts.

Previous volunteers have found this to be a fun experience that has helped them to gain confidence and communication skills.

For more information, and to volunteer, please contact Laura Reynolds: 01202 962546, or email lreynolds@bournemouth.ac.uk

Deadline for contact: 6 February 2015.

BU students massage Dorset locals to beach volleyball success

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Second year BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy students volunteered their massage and physiotherapy services at the annual Sandbanks Beach Volleyball Festival.

A team of four students, Milly Abduallah, Charlie Jones, Luke Lymbourides and Sam Coleman, gave sports massages and treatments to athletes competing in the national tournament. The event on 6 July, boasted 140 junior teams across 19 competitions.

Susanna Bentman, lecturer in physiotherapy, commented,

“It’s great for our students to be involved at the volleyball event, it really helps build their skill base by volunteering their services at sporting events throughout the South Coast and they really value and enjoy the experience.”

The national volleyball event is one of a number of opportunities for BU’s physiotherapy students to practice their skills in real life situations. They have also volunteered their services at other sporting events including Bournemouth Sevens Festival and Yeovil half marathon, where they also raised money for a special care baby unit.

Charlie Jones, one of the students involved, said,

“Opportunities like this allow us to recap our skills from our first year at uni, as on the day we did a lot of taping of ankles, shoulders, wrists and knees.

“As many of our placements are in hospitals or in a community setting, it is interesting to experience acute injuries; especially with under 16 (paediatrics) as the opportunity to have a paediatrics placement is rare. These opportunities will help when looking for jobs as we now all have experience working with paediatric patients.”

Geoff Allen, Wessex Volleyball chairman and one of the event organisers, said,

“I would like to thank our team of volunteers whose dedication in preparing everything ensured everybody had an enjoyable time.

“So many people came together to make it possible including free water donated by Asda and Fitness First, free sun cream donated by Boots and free physiotherapy and massage services provided by Bournemouth University.”

Poole Grammar School student, Harry Jones, 16, partnered 15-year-old Ryan Poole (Hertfordshire) to win the British under 18’s championship with a victory over Sam Allen and Nathan Fullerton from Bournemouth’s LeAF Academy.

Don’t miss these great opportunities!

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There are lots of opportunities at BU for volunteering, placements, internships, funding, competitions and more…

  • Overseas Work & Study BU Funding Schemes – Applications open until 30 June 2014 – Read More
  • About to undertake Postgraduate Study either in the UK or overseas? Would you benefit from some funding support? Enter the Targetcourses Bursary Competition – Deadline 30 June 2014 Read More
  • Chance to win £7500 and a five month work experience placement in the automotive industry – Deadline 1 September 2014 Read More 

 

SUBU Volunteering & RAG Leadership Roles now open!

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SUBU-volunteeringSUBU Volunteering and Raising and Giving (RAG) coordinate thousands of hours of students’ time every year in to Volunteering projects or raising money for charity through a variety of different ways. From 5-minute Volunteering, to long term projects in Volunteering and Overseas Trips, Events and the amazing Leggit in RAG, they are both packed with awesome opportunities.

And it’s that time of year that the equally awesome opportunity of leading all this next year has come around! Both SUBU Volunteering and RAG are opening nominations for their President Elections and accepting applications for the Leadership Teams for the 2014/15 Academic year.

Nominate Yourself for RAG or SUBU Volunteering President Roles

This year RAG is guaranteed to donate a minimum of £135,000 to charity and the SUBU Volunteering team have helped students to volunteer a whopping 3,900 hours so far.

If you think you’ve got what it takes to lead RAG or SUBU Volunteering next year then nominate yourself for election.

More details on the SUBU website.

Apply for RAG & SUBU Volunteering Leadership Roles

We’re also recruiting for the rest of our RAG & SUBU Volunteering Leadership Team so if you want to be on the RAG or SUBU Volunteering committee or to lead one of our Volunteering Projects then apply via the SUBU website.

Students who go above and beyond celebrated at awards ceremony

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BU students who have completed the Student Development Award had their achievements celebrated during a dedicated awards ceremony.

The Student Development Award recognises the hard work and commitment shown by those who dedicate their time to extra-curricular activities alongside their course – such as volunteering, participating in clubs and societies and providing support to initiatives designed to enhance the student experience.

Over the course of one or two years, students create a portfolio of work to evidence and showcase the ways in which they go the extra mile, giving back and enhancing their employability.

This year, more than 80 students received their Student Development Awards from BU Vice-Chancellor Professor John Vinney and Students’ Union (SUBU) president Murray Simpson at a red carpet event and awards ceremony.

Vice-President Communications for SUBU Annie Hall, who attended the event, said:   “It was fantastic to see students from every school and faculty of the university.

“A selection of comments from the portfolio assessors was shared on the screens as the students collected their awards. They remarked on students’ commitment, use of initiative, willingness to go above and beyond and much more.”

Individual prizes were also handed out to several students.

Elisa Reynolds, a second year Biological Anthropology student, won the Most Outstanding Achievement prize.

eliza reynolds

Alongside her course, Elisa is involved with a wide range of extra-curricular activities – which includes volunteering with charities and an international project in Ghana, acting as Student Rep for her course and as a Student Ambassador and Mentor.

She is also an active member of the BU Handball Team and Baking Society.

She said: “I signed up to do the Student Development Award because I thought it would be a good way to collate all my extra-curricular activities and it provides a basis to strive for.

“Initially, I used the portfolio mainly as a way to showcase the variety of things I get involved in as I can’t fit it all onto a C.V.

“Doing the award has definitely improved my confidence as it has made me realise that I do things for other people without even thinking, and has given me hope with regard to job searches, as they tend to look for that kind of thing. Doing all of the activities have provided friends for life too.”

She added that receiving the Outstanding Achievement Prize at the awards ceremony was a welcome surprise.

“I was genuinely shocked,” she said. “Simply being nominated was surprise enough!

“Upon hearing my name, I blushed significantly but walked down to receive my prize, understanding finally that perhaps I did deserve it. I was very proud of myself and felt ecstatic to be in a room full of applause for me.”

The other awards and prize-winners were:

  • Best Reflective Writing Prize – Olivia Tuckerman (School of Health & Social Care)
  • Dedication to Coaching & Mentoring Prize – Christopher Hodge (Business School)
  • Prize for Best e-portfolio – Amy Haase (Business School)
  • Prize for Creativity & Enterprise – Glebs Kiselovs (Business School)

The BU Dorset Shrievalty Award was also awarded to students who have supported charity projects including Safewise and Streetwise in the community.

The High Sheriff of Dorset, who sponsors the Shrievalty Award, presented it to Aisha Chesshire (Faculty of Science & Technology), Joshua Freeland (Media School) and Preslava Ivanova (School of Tourism).

Find out more about the Student Development Award

Student volunteers collect 2.2 tonnes of food for local foodbanks

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Bournemouth University students collected a giant 2.2 tonnes of food for local foodbanks in a one-day volunteering challenge.

The Big Feed saw 26 volunteers, including a team of builders from Wilmott Dixon, compete in teams at six local supermarkets to accumulate the most food donations for Bournemouth, Poole & Kinson Foodbanks.

The event, organised by the Students’ Union at Bournemouth University (SUBU), encouraged students to contribute back to their local community, and provide extra resources for the area’s local foodbanks, which are experiencing a worrying rise in emergency demand.

With more donations still coming in, the total collection more than doubled the previous record of 1.5 tonnes, which was set at SUBU’s first Big Feed event in September 2013.

Kim Appleton, SUBU Volunteering Coordinator, said it was a testament to people’s generosity in the community.

“People’s donations have been incredible. We would have been happy matching our record, but to beat it so substantially is really a tribute to the tireless work of our volunteers and the generosity of the public.

“It’s going to be incredibly beneficial to the foodbanks, who are in constant need of supplies. None of us deserve to go hungry, but 1 in 5 mums regularly skip meals to feed their children, simply down to needing to pay bills or other expenses.

“This food will go a long way in supporting those in need of emergency supplies.”

The event concluded with a celebratory ceremony for all the volunteers in the evening with awards and prizes, including food hampers and event tickets for outstanding contributions.

BSO volunteering opportunity for BU Music students

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bso-logoThe Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO) are offering BU Music students a work-shadowing opportunity.

BU’s Dementia Institute (BUDI) is joining up with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra on a pilot intervention to work with people with dementia and their carers.

The partnership will provide a unique opportunity for five BU Music students to work alongside BSO musicians, planning and running workshops with people with dementia, supporting them to learn new instruments as well as re-learn previous skills.

The workshops will run for 10 weeks, from the Wednesday 9 April – Wednesday 11 June 2014, in the Student Hall, Talbot Campus. These rehearsals will culminate in a final performance on Saturday 14 June 2014, at the Life Centre, Winton, to showcase the group’s efforts.

BUDI’s Research Assistant, Laura Reynolds, says “we’re looking for volunteers with a genuine interest in working with older people, and those who are able to commit to most, if not all, of the 10 weekly sessions. We know that 10 weeks is a big commitment so we will consider students who can commit to the majority of sessions as well. All we ask is that the students have a genuine interest in working with older people, and would be able to help out with rhythm support etc. We are open to interest from individuals and from groups.”

For more information, and to volunteer, please email Laura Reynolds or Sarah Hambidge, or call 01202 962546 by 26 March 2014.