Staff Volunteering

As part of Aston University’s ongoing commitment to supporting our local community, the University has established a Staff Volunteering scheme. Members of staff can receive the equivalent of two days' paid leave to take part in volunteering activities with our partner charities and other organisations throughout the region.

We have strong links with a number of Birmingham-based charitable organisations who need support in areas that align with our civic agreement. If you would like to get involved, explore these pages and see how you can volunteer your time to support Aston's local community. Also check out our region and society pages to learn more about how we benefit the region.

Why volunteer?

Volunteering your time makes a big difference to the communities we support, but you can also benefit from many advantages. Volunteering allows you to: 

• Gain confidence by getting the chance to try something new and build a real sense of achievement.
• Make a difference: volunteering can have a real and valuable positive affect on people, communities and society in general.
• Meet many different kinds of people and make new friends.
• Be part of a community: volunteering can help you feel part of something outside your friends and family.
• Learn new skills, gain experience and sometimes even qualifications.
• Take on a challenge: try something different, achieve personal goals, practise using your skills and discover hidden talents.
• Have fun! Volunteers often share stories of the great time they have.

Get involved

The University works closely with its charitable partners to identify relevant volunteering opportunities. There are two ways to get involved: you can either pick the charity you want to volunteer with or discover existing opportunities via the volunteering database. If you are interested in volunteering, here's our step-by-step guide to getting involved:

Step 1: Read the staff volunteering process document below.

Step 2: Identify a volunteering opportunity through your own research or discover existing opportunities via the volunteering database here. Having identified an opportunity that interests you, check with your line manager to see if you have time off. 

Step 3: Book your time off through Core HR, selecting University Volunteering Scheme on the leave type menu.

For further information on staff volunteering please contact astonengages@aston.ac.uk.

Staff volunteering process

Download the staff volunteering process document.313.75 KB

Health and safety considerations

When volunteering in an external organisation:

• Make sure there’s an induction
• Assess your environment and become familiar with your surroundings
• Read any risk assessments provided before undertaking any volunteering activities
• As a volunteer, you are classed as a ‘worker’ and should follow all policies, instructions and training provided by the organisation
• Don’t take undue risks – is what you are being asked to do safe and reasonable?
• The University won’t send you to an unsafe environment, but you must take responsibility for your own health and safety

Meet our community champions

Our community champions are here to connect and inspire Aston colleagues through fundraising and volunteering opportunities. They are passionate individuals who have come together to support our local communities.

Jesvir Mahil

Libby Hodgkinson

Sarah Craney

Rosa Amato

Hear from colleagues who have volunteered through the scheme