Student volunteer projects

Community Engagement: Theory into practice module

This module is managed by Cupp and offered across various schools at the University of Brighton. It is an optional module where students aim to make a significant contribution to a local community organisation while gaining important real world experience and putting skills learned on their degree to practical use.

Students are expected to undertake at 30 or 50 hours of practical work (depending on the module they've chosen) on a local community project that covers a task or role that will benefit either the organisation or their members.

They are responsible for choosing their own project.The module further includes some initial reflection on values and former learning, a reflective learning log capturing the student’s experience, and an in depth study of the organization.

Examples of previous student projects:

• Working as a volunteer for a locally based organisation
• Producing a short film about or with a local group
• Working as a teaching assistant or student mentor
• Acting as a befriender to an individual with particular needs
• Organising a fund raising event for a local charity
• Designing  a website or information system
• Writing publicity materials or editing a newsletter

Time Frame

Students undertake project activities between the beginning of October and the end of May each year.

More information

For information on what is expected of the student and you as a host organisation please have a look at the Supervisor's Handbook.

What other organisations have said

'The experience of having Kate and Zaid on board has most definitely been beneficial to the project. They have shown genuine commitment to the work and have been extremely reliable and a pleasure to work with.' ASpire, Brighton

'We have enjoyed hosting the 4 students and it has proved to be both a successful and beneficial exercise for the Youth offending Team, Reparation Dept. They were able to bring new ideas and see things from quite a different perspective.
May I also mention that [the students] have both continued with their volunteering to work with us in their spare time, and should be commended for their commitment and selfless attitude. They are a credit to themselves, their family and to the University.'

If you have any questions or would like to discuss your ideas for a 30 / 50 hour student project, please contact

Debra Vice-Holt - Development Manager – Student Community Engagement
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Telephone: (01273) 644053