Volunteering is a win-win situation. You will be able to contribute to a charity or organisation that needs your support to operate while gaining vital experience, skills and attributes that you can use to increase you employability.
"A win-win situation”
There is a huge variation in the types of things that you can do as a volunteer, from a few hours helping out at a local event to a full year working abroad.
Here at the university we work with various organisations locally, nationally and internationally to give you the chance to use your energy, skills and knowledge to make a big difference to a project.
Volunteering activities can also count towards the personal development activities you are encouraged to undertake on PDP or WPB modules or personal enrichment activities that Buxton College FE students can undertake on Wednesday afternoons. Long term volunteering placements could even be considered as projects on a Diploma in Professional Practise year in industry.
"2012 – An Inspiring Pledge”
Our university has been granted a prestigious Olympic Inspire Mark for volunteering and here in Buxton we have pledged to contribute 2012 hours of volunteering in the run up to the games. So get involved and help us achieve our pledge! You can find out more about volunteering on the Latest Opportunities Page or by attending the following events; 
Buxton Community Engagement Day - December 2011
We invite in local community groups who have opportunities for you to work with them in the Buxton area
Buxton Get Sorted! March 2012
Use volunteering as a means of personal enrichment at Get Sorted! in the Dome.
The Deans’ Award for Community Engagement
To recognise students’ hard work on Community Engagement and to reward excellence, the Dean Dr. Peter Dewhurst has offered a prize for the student who has delivered the most effective voluntary work during the 2012 pledge.
The judges will be looking for the individual who has demonstrated the most dedication to their chosen cause and can demonstrate positive outcomes and contribution to our community.
The winner will receive a trophy plus significant cash prize from the university!
University of Derby Award Programme
The University of Derby Award Programme allows you to develop and maximise the benefits of activities undertaken in your spare time such as volunteering, paid work or running your own business, and through a series of workshops, helps you develop and demonstrate skills and experience employers need. Undertaking the Award while you are studying is an excellent opportunity to gain experience and graduate skills required by employers. It is an opportunity to make your CV stand out from the crowd.
Who is the Award for?
The non-credit bearing University of Derby Award is available to all degree and postgraduate students. It is endorsed by the Institute of Leadership and Management (www.i-l-m.com) which specialises in leadership and management performance training. Each Derby Award student has the option to register for a year's membership with the ILM, which gives you access to password protected materials.
