Centre for Volunteering and Community Leadership

Our Centre for Volunteering and Community Leadership (CVCL) enables you to get involved in projects which make a positive difference to people’s lives.

We work with over 200 organisations all over the country, including third sector voluntary organisations, charities and not for profit companies. Much of our work involves promoting community cohesion and championing active citizenship.

We also lead projects with communities across the globe, so you can combine your love of travel with the desire to make your mark on the world.

With over 500 volunteering opportunities on offer, you’re bound to find something that inspires you. You could help lead projects in areas such as business, computing, events, finance, law, management, media or sports, gaining skills and experience in areas directly related to your career aspirations.

We also provide high quality courses and training opportunities. If you want to inspire others, develop your leadership skills, organise complex projects and make things happen then we’ll help you to succeed.

Many people regard volunteering as simply doing something for free. But it’s so much more than that. Volunteering with an organisation can help you to identify your strengths and reflect on your career goals. By impressing employers with your commitment, positive attitude, resilience and innovative thinking, you could open doors to paid opportunities within an organisation and an exciting future career.

Research:

We undertake a number of research projects that benefit and link in with our leadership programmes. These cover a range of disciplines including peer leadership, mentoring, volunteering and community action.

A recent project was shortlisted in the International Collaboration of the Year category for the prestigious Times Higher Education (THE) Awards in 2020. This was a collaborative project working with refugees on the Greek island of Lesvos, supporting the thousands of child refugees living on the island. The ‘Letters from Lesvos’ project, led by Professor Ali Melling MBE, Director of the Centre, enabled the team to create a welcoming environment for refugees and asylum seekers and importantly give vulnerable children a voice to share their experiences with the outside world. The Centre is planning to publish an e-book which will inform other children, policymakers and strategists about the realities of life as an unaccompanied child asylum seeker.

Become a volunteer

Register with us to become a volunteer by emailing our team. You’ll get the chance to meet with a member of our volunteering team and discuss the opportunities available. Once you’ve registered and met a member of the team, you’ll be able to apply for opportunities.

To find out more please get in touch with us:

The Centre for Volunteering and Community Leadership

Tel: +44 (0)1772 893662
Email: CFVolunteering@uclan.ac.uk