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Here you can find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Initi8 Volunteering. If you can't find the answer you're looking for below, email initi8oneday@su.ntu.ac.uk and we'll do our best to help!

What is Initi8?
Who is involved in Initi8 volunteering?
What is the aim of Initi8 volunteering?
Where do I fit in?
What activities are coming up?
How can I sign up to an opportunity?
What does Initi8 provide me, the volunteer?
Who are the Initi8 committee, and what do they do?
What do Project Leaders do?
I have an idea for a project, what do I do?
I want to be on the committee, how do I do that?
How do I lead my own projects?
What recognition can I get for volunteering?
None of the One Day Challenges interest me. What should I do?
What procedures and policies do you follow?
My question relates to Student Led Projects and/or the Volunteer Shop - why can’t I see details for these?
My question isn’t on here.

What is Initi8?

Initi8 is the community volunteering department at Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham Trent Students Union and New College Nottingham. There are three separate parts to volunteering at NTU; the One Day Challenges, Student Led Projects, and the Volunteer Shop. See below for more information on each:

One Day Challenges: The One Day Challenges are led by students, for students. The projects change on a yearly basis depending on the interests and demands of our volunteers – we aim to be as reflective of the student population as possible, and incorporate a wide range of activities within our calendar. Each of the projects operate on a one day basis, but that’s not to say that a project won’t be repeated if it’s particularly successful! Email initi8oneday@su.ntu.ac.uk for more info.

Student Led Projects: The Student Led Projects are more long-term, and tend to work on a weekly basis. If you’ve got an idea for a project, then the Initi8 staff are here to support you through the creative process. Email initi8studentled@ntu.ac.uk for more info.

Volunteer Shop: If you want to volunteer within an organisation on a regular basis, then Initi8’s Volunteer Shop can help. There are hundreds of organisations across Nottingham in need of volunteers, and it may be that your placement can support your studies and equip you with skills vital for your career path. Email Initi8volshop@ntu.ac.uk for more info.

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Who is involved in Initi8 volunteering?

Initi8 is a partnership between Nottingham Trent University (NTU) and Nottingham Trent Students Union (NTSU).

The team itself is made up of a Committee of student Project Leaders, who are all volunteers. They are responsible for organising and delivering the One Day Challenges. Our members are the general student population, any of whom can get involved in Initi8 volunteering. The volunteers are supported by full-time members of staff, the VP Welfare & Involvement, and the Initi8 Officer.

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What is the aim of Initi8 Volunteering?

Initi8 Volunteering exists to provide community-based volunteering projects for students at Nottingham Trent University, making volunteering as open and accessible as possible by offering a variety of one day and part-time activities. Where appropriate, all of our projects are student-led; young people will be encouraged and supported in generating activities on issues that they have researched and identified as an interest or meeting a community need.

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Where do I fit in?

You are the most important part – without your time, commitment, and enthusiasm, our volunteering projects would not take place. Your work is highly regarded within the local community and supports many groups in need across Nottingham. If you want to get involved in any activities, then check out our current volunteering opportunities and get in touch!

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What activities are coming up?

Check out this page to see what we have in the pipeline.

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How can I sign up to an opportunity?

If an opportunity takes your fancy, just click here to become a member and enter all of your details. It couldn't be simpler!

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What does Initi8 provide me, the volunteer?

• Fun and enjoyable volunteering opportunities
• The chance to develop your own project ideas
• Support from a named member of staff
• A commitment to your safety and good practice in volunteer management
• Help in learning and developing new skills
• Ongoing training and advice
• An opportunity to work towards qualifications
• A welcoming environment that is diverse and respectful of individual values and beliefs
• Appreciation through awards

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Who are the Initi8 One Day Committee and what do they do?

You find out more about the current Initi8 One Day Committee here. We have committees at all three campuses, and those students involved are the Project Leaders responsible for organising and delivering the One Day Challenges at NTSU.

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What do Project Leaders do?

Project Leaders sit on the committee. They are the students that are responsible for planning the calendar of One Day Challenges throughout the year; they see the projects through from idea all the way to the final activity.

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I have an idea for a project, what do I do?

If you’ve got an idea for a project, we want to hear about it! Drop us an email at initi8oneday@su.ntu.ac.uk – tell us what you want to do and how we can support you, and we’d be happy to help.

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I want to be on the Committee, how do I do that?

Fantastic! We tend to recruit Project Leaders at the beginning of the year, so email us to make sure there are vacancies and we’ll send you the role description to make sure the position’s right for you. If you’re still interested, we’ll take it from there!

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How do I lead my own projects?

The most common way of leading your own project is by being on the Committee. We recruit Project Leaders at the beginning of the year for all three campuses, so if you’re looking to lead projects on a regular basis, then drop us an email – we’ll send you the project leader role description so you can see if it’s suitable. Once you’re a Project Leader, you get full support from named members of staff, the chance to go on a free training and teambuilding weekend, and the opportunity to do the accredited ILM Award!

If you want to lead your own project, but haven’t got the time to commit to the role of Project Leader, then get in touch anyway. We’ll still be able to support you and help to advertise your project to the rest of our members. 

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What sort of recognition can I get for volunteering?

This all depends on how much you put in!

If you take part in five One Day Challenges, or if you’re on the Committee, then we’ll offer you a certificate and the opportunity to put us down as a referee for any future volunteering or paid employment. If we think you’re particularly fantastic we might even nominate you for some excellent internal and National awards! At the end of the year we also hold the NTU Volunteer Celebration Evening, where you’ll be invited to meet other volunteers and celebrate your achievements, no matter how many projects you’ve attended. Find out more here.

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None of the One Day Challenges interest me, what should I do?

We’re sorry to hear that nothing has interested you – we’d like to hear what might instead! Please do email us with any suggestions at initi8oneday@su.ntu.ac.uk.

Alternatively, if you want to get involved with volunteering on a more regular basis, then try contacting Initi8 Student Led to see about setting up your own project, or the Volunteer Shop if you want to volunteer in a local organisation.

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What policies and procedures do you follow?

At Initi8 One Day Challenges, we follow our own policies and procedures in accordance with standards set out by V-involved and Nottingham Trent Students Union. You can obtain a copy of our policies, procedures and guidelines by emailing initi8oneday@su.ntu.ac.uk.

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My question relates to Student Led Projects and/or the Volunteer Shop, why can’t I see it?

At the Union we deal with the One Day Challenges; if you’ve got a question about Initi8’s Student Led Projects, then email initi8studentled@ntu.ac.uk. If your question’s about the Volunteer Shop, email initi8volshop@ntu.ac.uk.

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My question isn't on here.

If you can't find what you're looking for, please email us with any questions and we'll do our best to answer them.

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