Solent undergrads make a difference as volunteers

Run by the Student Volunteering Network and taking place between Monday 10 and Friday 14 February, Student Volunteering Week celebrates learners who volunteer, while encouraging everyone to get involved in causes they care about.

At Solent, we're proud that students across every department are offering their time to communities and local organisations as volunteers, leaving behind a lasting and positive impact.

Wondering what kind of thing our community is getting involved in? Take a look below.

Boosting maths and literacy skills

Both on and off campus, we encourage students to utilise their knowledge of core subjects to nurture those skills in others.

When it comes to literacy, BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching and Physical Education students are volunteering their time to primary school pupils as part of a project designed to improve their confidence and enjoyment of reading. The project, known as Ready Readers, launched in 2023 and encourages both students and staff to become Book Buddies to a young person, helping to bridge the literacy gap.

When it comes to maths, undergrads with an interest in the subject are invited to become volunteer tutors for local pupils who are preparing for their exams. This is an opportunity for students to develop skills in tutoring, while helping their peers to ace their exams.

Both programmes have a meaningful impact on both the volunteer and beneficiary, adding to the growing suite of skills students acquire at Solent while making a difference elsewhere.

Supporting local organisations

As a civic university, we're passionate about working in tandem with organisations based in the city to help their business thrive while giving our students opportunities to learn. BSc (Hons) Psychology undergraduates are leading the way in their proactive approach to building contacts both in Southampton and further afield, volunteering their time to worthwhile causes.

Luke Thomas, a final-year Psychology student whose volunteering work includes as a Youth Advisory Group member with Young Minds; advocating for young people at a parliamentary visit; and as clinical volunteer in a healthcare setting, has seen huge benefits from volunteering alongside his studies. He says:

"Volunteering for me has been one of the most rewarding experiences during my journey as a student. It became a way for me to develop key skills and confidence, whilst using my time to help others.

"These opportunities taught me invaluable skills and have been key in building resilience; volunteering pushed me out of my comfort zone, and it has made me so much stronger in the long run. It's been more than just an extracurricular activity or a way to develop employability skills (those were just bonuses), it's been a path for personal growth and a chance to contribute to positive change - all whilst giving me lots to add to my CV!"

Other psychology students across different stages of their study are also showcasing their altruistic nature, offering their time to organisations such as Shout, a national text service for people in crisis, and No Limits, a local charity supporting young people in Southampton.

Mentoring across cultures

In the Department of Social Sciences and Nursing, BA (Hons) Criminology undergraduates are taking part in a project which is the first of its kind at Solent, becoming mentors to students in Cambodia.

Now in its second year, volunteer mentors are building connections with pupils at the Cambodian Children’s Fund’s Neeson Cripps Academy in Phnom Penh, giving students at both institutions the opportunity to learn from one another and inspire their future pathways.

Saints Foundation

At Solent, we’re proud of the positive difference our community has off campus. This includes our work with Southampton Football Club’s charity, Saints Foundation.

Since 2014, more than 150 BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching and Physical Education students have given over 1,000 hours of volunteering to the charity, working with people of all ages through sports-based projects which boost the physical and mental wellbeing of participants.

Not only has this volunteering supported hundreds of community members, it's also resulted in several job offers for students, enabling them to turn something they love into paid employment. Check out graduate Shiraz Zawahir’s story to get inspired.

Community connection

Across Solent’s Department of Social Sciences and Nursing, students are taking what they learn on campus out into community settings, including BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing Practice undergraduates.

Recognising the prevalence of loneliness among older adults, students have been volunteering with CommuniCare, a local charity nurturing multigenerational friendship groups in Southampton.

Throughout the year, nursing students also take part in some of the city’s biggest community events, including the Mela Festival, providing free health checks, delivering CPR training and raising awareness of healthy lifestyles.

Marathon volunteering

Every year, BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Therapy students at Solent get involved in the ABP Southampton Marathon. Supported by the Department of Sport and Health, undergraduates put their learning into practice by offering complimentary massages to runners, with hundreds of participants benefiting from this scheme.

In 2025, ABP Southampton Marathon’s 10th year coincides with Solent University’s 20th anniversary – watch this space for more volunteering action to come.