January: 4 volunteering roles that can become part of your New Year’s Resolution

Megan Clark is the Volunteering Assistant at the Guild and is studying for a PhD in Egyptology.

Here, Megan shares four volunteering opportunities that you can get involved with in Merseyside. The New Year is a time to appreciate what we have in our lives and make a real difference where we can. Volunteering is a great way to do this, whilst also gaining valuable skills for later life.

If you would like to make a difference this year we have one-off roles to regular volunteering, with something for everyone to get involved with!

You’ll find lots more opportunities via the Guild’s Volunteer pages.

1. Coram Beanstalk: Reading Helper

Coram Beanstalk recruit, train and support volunteers to provide consistent, one-to-one reading support to children aged 3-13 who need their help. Reading helpers give them the support they need to improve their reading skills, reading ability and confidence. They also provide training to people within the school community who want to help children learn to read for pleasure whilst improving their reading skills.

This role is great for anyone who is interested in working with young people to improve their key skills and life experiences. If you are an avid reader yourself, this is a great chance to pass on your passion to the next generations in a time when digital technology is taking over all of our lives.

You can find out more about becoming a Reading Helper via the Guild’s website.

2. Human Appeal: Event Support Volunteer

Human Appeal are an international relief and development agency that asks the question, what makes us human? They believe the answer is caring for others and changing their lives for the better. They support and transform the lives of people in over 24 countries across the globe.

An event support volunteer is there to steward, inform and assist during important occasions as well as fundraising with the general public. Full training and support will be provided by the Human Appeal’s friendly team, with the opportunity to work within an international charity.

Volunteers are an integral part of Human Appeal’s success, having already created a real change for those most in need. This is your chance to meet new people, gain new skills and experience, and have fun whilst being part of a great cause.

You can find out more about becoming an Event Support Volunteer via the Guild’s website.

3. Healthiness: Project Assistant Volunteer

Healthiness is a non-profit health and exercise provider established in 2011. Their mission is to increase physical activity and reduce social isolation of older people and people experiencing physical and mental health issues in Liverpool communities through delivering health messages and offering exercise and health education classes across the city.

The Project Assistant role is a dynamic and exciting opportunity for volunteers to become involved in the development of an exciting project that delivers physical activity and health education sessions to older adults, adults living with dementia, and adults with enduring mental ill health. As part of the projects development team you will have the opportunity to diversify your skills. You will have options to train in administration, market research, programme development, specialist fitness instructor development including Chair Aerobics.

This is a great role for anyone who sees the importance of exercise on physical and mental wellbeing in the community, as well as an interest in how exercise can bring people together.

You can find out more about becoming a Project Assistant Volunteer via the Guild’s website.

4. IntoUniversity: Academic Support Tutor

In communities across the UK there are students who can benefit from additional support in order to achieve their ambitions. IntoUniversity provide academic support, mentoring and programmes that promote young people’s aspirations.

It is widely understood that over 86% of high school students who receive extra tutoring progress to university or another form of higher education such as internships and apprenticeships.

Academic Support Tutors are an integral part of IntoUniversity’s centres. Volunteers act as role models, supporting academic progress and providing inspiration and encouragement to young people for whom university education is not necessarily a common expectation.

If you are considering a career in teaching, lecturing, mentoring, or you just have an interest in widening participation in the community this is a great opportunity for you.

You can find out more about becoming an IntoUniversity Academic Support Tutor via the Guild’s website.


Student Volunteering Week will be taking place 10 -16 February. Keep an eye out as we will be running several events during the week including a Children and Education Volunteering Fair on 13 February 11am – 2pm in the Guild’s Stanley Theatre.

If you have any further questions about these opportunities, or would even like to find out what the Guild’s Volunteering Liverpool platform has to offer you, please feel free to contact us at: guildvol@liverpool.ac.uk