Ideas - National Student Volunteer Week

Looking for inspiration to participate?

There are thousands of ways you can support, encourage and enhance volunteering within your school. We have put together a comprehensive list of ideas for you to browse and get inspired, and we are always looking for more. If you have an idea we haven't thought of share it with us! Better yet, Share it on your socials and tag us!

Here are just a few thoughts we've had

For education providers
For volunteer organisations
For students
Online events

Already have an event planned? Register it here!

For education providers

Volunteering activities
Organise for students to collaborate on meaningful activities that support the work of a volunteer organisation, such as coast or bush conservation, caring for injured animals, cooking meals for sick children and their families, or supporting the well-being of people experiencing homelessness.

Micro-volunteering activities
Hold micro-volunteering sessions where busy students can pop in and lend a hand for a short amount of time on easy tasks, such as card making for refugees, logistic packing for charity events, preparing care parcels, or arts and craftwork. These small actions can have a big impact on the larger community.

Inter-institutional activities
Work together with other education providers in your locality to organise a group volunteering activity where students can make new friends while they make a difference.

Tokens of appreciation
A heartfelt thank you, thoughtful gift, memorabilia to cherish, or versatile vouchers. A simple act of kindness is a great way to show student volunteers your gratitude.

Be an ambassador
Share student volunteering messages online. You could profile an inspiring student, create a video about your volunteer program, give a shout-out to available opportunities, or blog about the personal and professional benefits of volunteering.

Host a workshop or panel
Arrange for inspiring speakers to talk to students about applying for volunteer positions, making an impact, learning from the experience, boosting employability, or exploring the current needs of the volunteering sector. You may like to invite your State or Territory’s Peak Volunteering Body to be involved.

Promote social justice
Facilitate important conversations that empower students to delve into the issues that face our world, such as climate change, combating racism, women’s advancement, or LGBTQIA+ rights. Offer avenues for how students can take action to advance these causes.

Encourage student led initiatives
Build the capacity of students to effectively manage student led initiatives that create change on and off campus. This could involve developing their volunteer management and leadership skills.

Bring students together formally
Recognise, honour and reward the achievements of student volunteers at a formal event, such as an awards ceremony.

Connect students with volunteer organisations
A volunteer expo, networking session, presentation, or information stand. Whether it’s a short pitch or an in-depth dive, help students to learn about the array of volunteer programs available to join.

Help students search
Provide students with ‘drop-in’ sessions where they can access one-to-one support to find a volunteer role that matches their strengths, values, interests, and career aspirations. You could also promote govolunteer.com.au where students can view and apply for available volunteering opportunities.

Bring students together informally
Provide a space for student volunteers to connect with one another. It could be over morning tea, a barbeque, pizza lunch or a picnic. You may like to incorporate some games, icebreakers or team building activities.

For volunteer organisations

Say thanks informally
A handwritten letter, a personal phone call, a social media shout out, or a newsletter feature. These are all great ways to show your appreciation of student volunteers.

Say thanks formally
Hold an awards ceremony or a recognition event where student volunteers are publically acknowledged for their significant contribution.

Facilitate personal and professional development
Reflect on opportunities you can offer to student volunteers to help them reach their potential and grow into responsible and skilled young leaders.

Hold meaningful conversations
Ask student volunteers for their feedback on how you can enhance the experience of volunteers and make your volunteer program more creative and fulfilling.

Diversify your volunteer program
Hold a brainstorming session on the types of student volunteers you would like to attract to your organisation. Identify relevant education providers and faculties that you can reach out to.

Unite over purpose
Motivate student volunteers by demonstrating the outcomes and the positive change that results from their work.

Bring students together
Organise a social event where student volunteers can share a meal or a coffee, or have fun collaborating on a morale-boosting activity.

For students

Learn more about volunteering
Visit our volunteer page to read about the benefits of volunteering, including how it can boost your employability, as well as choosing the right role for you.

Find a cause to contribute to
Search online with govolunteer.com.au to find a volunteer role where you can make a difference. You could also speak with your education provider’s careers and employment or community engagement teams. They can connect you with initiatives, clubs, and societies on campus or with nonprofit organisations.

Create your own project
Do you have a solution to a problem that society is facing? Be a trailblazer and plan a social impact project that you can implement in your own community.

Reflect on what you’ve learned
Has being a volunteer sharpen your skills? Has it expanded your understanding of the complex issues that affect our world? Take some time to consider how volunteering has shaped you.

Share your ideas for improvement
Do you have feedback that could enhance the experience of volunteers? Let your volunteer organisation know your thoughts and help them make volunteering more rewarding and impactful.

Participate in the social media campaign
Has volunteering changed your life? Share your experience online and inspire your fellow students to give volunteering a go.

Online events

Thanks to technology you can hold an online event for student volunteers. We have listed some ideas below to help get you started:

Virtual volunteering expo or fair
Virtual volunteer panel
Live or recorded workshops
Online social event (coffee or lunch, an awards ceremony, fun games, competition)
Thank you video
Social media posts (promoting the benefits of volunteering, available opportunities, or quotes/ advice from student volunteers, outcomes of your volunteer program)
Virtual volunteering activity or micro-volunteering activity
Online resources, training, or skills development
Online one-to-one consultation sessions

Online event tips

Incorporate videos and photos of your student volunteers
Build visually interesting slides/ presentation
Invite dignitaries and diverse guest speakers to present
Develop techniques to ensure participants feel involved including the ability to submit questions, polls or quizzes
Make it inclusive with clear language, captions, large fonts, high colour contrast.

Platforms you could use