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► What's in it for me?

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Join Initi8 on Facebook

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Subscribe to the Initi8 event feed

Volunteering while at university can bring you a world of benefits; it can help you make new friends, develop your skills and confidence, give you the opportunity to do something completely different, and help make your CV shine, all while making a positive difference in your community. Here at NTSU, we provide added bonuses for those who commit to volunteering whilst at university:

Get yourself a reference!

If you become a Project Leader or attend at least five One Day Challenges, you will be able to gain a reference from the Volunteer Coordinator for your future job applications.

Community Volunteer Award (CVA)

The Community Volunteer Award (CVA), is open to those who attend at least five One Day Challenges, or lead projects. It helps you to focus on the skills you are developing through your volunteering, and the ones you would like to improve on, by continually assessing how you are doing this. You also get input from both the Careers Service and external employers and organisations. To complete the award, you’ll need to attend three two-hour workshops taking place in January, March and April, and complete a handbook and presentation. If you’re interested, email Caroline on Caroline.Day@ntu.ac.uk.

Vfifty Award

If you’re new to volunteering, then the Vfifty is a great place to start. It’s a flexible award, allowing you to volunteer in a range of different projects throughout the year to work your way towards your fifty hour volunteering goal. It might seem like a long time, but if you’re doing something you’re passionate about, as well as building your skills and making a difference, it can go pretty fast! The Vfifty Award is a great way to start thinking about the skills you’re developing, helping you to enhance your CV, prepare for interviews, and highlight your skills and talents. So, what are you waiting for?! If you’re already an active volunteer, then sign up now: www.vinspired.com/awards/vfifty.

ILM Award (Institute of Leadership and Management) for Project Leaders

As if project leading wasn’t enough, here’s a nationally recognised qualification to really make your CV stand out from the crowd: The ILM Level 3 Award in Leadership has been designed to give practising or aspiring line managers (or in this case, Project Leaders) a solid foundation for your formal development as a leader. You’ve got a choice of two study options to fit in around your timetable, and what's more, this course usually costs £700 to attend - but as a student, you get it for free! It's an opportunity that you definitely should not miss.

End of year Celebrations: To say thank you!

To thank you for your hard work and dedication to Initi8, we host celebration and awards evenings at the end of the year. Keep your eyes peeled for more information...!

Vince's story

Vincent Au, an international student from Singapore and current Initi8 Officer for 2010/11, explains why he got involved as an Initi8 project leader, and has never looked back:

"I live my life trying to make the most out of my experiences, so when I first came to England, I hated myself for being shy and locking myself in my room, daunted by the prospect of a university lifestyle after 2 years in the army.

That all changed when I opened my e-mail and saw an invitation to an "Initi8 sign up". I had little idea what Initi8 was and I had never done a drop of volunteering in my life before. However, as most little voices in your head do, a little voice in my mind convinced me that I should go. What's the worst that can happen? If I didn't like it, it was only one day after all.

When I look back at it, it is probably one of the best things I've ever done. Since that day I became hooked, I've met and made many friends, participated in a weekend of extreme sports like kayaking, scrambling and rock climbing, raised funds for charity by scaling the Yorkshire Dales as well as the National Three Peaks, I've painted things for several schools, played football with refugees, the list goes on.

Today, I am the Initi8 Officer. One of my aims for this year is to try and get as many people involved in initi8 one day challenges, so that you too can have an amazing experience here at NTU. All you need to do is say YES, what’s the worst that can happen?"

You might also get the chance to work with local organisations, helping them to promote campaigns like this one below, which highlights street harassment towards women: