How do I complete the award?

After registering with Contact Student Volunteers and registering with the Volunteering Award you need to attend the Volunteering Award Group Interviews. These are informal sessions where you will get all the information you need in order to get started on the award. We will find out what you are doing in terms of volunteering or what you would like to do.

You will then book onto Workshop 1 where you will get all the tools you need for starting your reflections and completing the award. We will provide tools for you to record your experiences or you can choose your own method. Once you have completed a minimum of 25 hours volunteering, your reflections and two workshops you will be able to attend Workshop 2. 

In addition to the workshops you are required to submit your reflections. There are 2 submission points; once before Christmas and once before Easter.

How am I assessed?

The award is assessed by a mixture of formative and summative assessment: attendance at workshops and groupwork, informally assessed reflections, formally assessed assignments and a presentation.

Volunteering

You need to provide some evidence confirming your hours of volunteering. Once enrolled, you can download a log sheet from Blackboard for your Volunteer Co-ordinator to sign or you can ask them to write a statement or reference for you. The statement needs to confirm the number of hours you have volunteered and include details of your induction and training.

Attendance

You need to attend a series of workshops starting with a Volunteering Award Group interview (30 min), Workshop 1 (2 hours), a minimum of two skills workshops provided by the Careers Service(1 - 2 hours each) and Workshop 2 (2 hours) – an exit workshop. 

Workshop 1

The first workshop is a two hour session and will include: discover the opportunities volunteering can unlock, activities for mapping own skills and lack of skill, reflection on career path and future choices and practical information on using Blackboard and Wiki for your reflection.

Assignment 1

You will submit your initial reflections and Personal Development Plans before Christmas for informal feedback.

Skills workshops

The Leicester Award Team will provide a tailored programme of skills workshops that can help you develop particular skills. These may include: Team Work, Creativity, Time Management, Presentation Skills, Building Confidence, Net Working. In addition, the Careers Service will provide a programme of workshops throughout the year run by employers and you need to attend any 2 or more workshops from the programme. You will be asked to reflect on the workshops and how they relate to your personal development. See the list of workshops available. You can also attend skills workshops from external providers as long as you are able to reflect on how they have helped you develop your skills.

Student Development workshops include:

• Leicester Award Skills Seminars (only open to Leicester Award Students.)
• Study skills workshop
• Employer presentations and workshops

Workshop 2

The second workshop will take place late in the spring term. After attending this, you will complete an assignment and submit before the Easter break. The Volunteering Team will assess your reflections to verify that you have met the minimum criteria for passing. You will receive feedback on your CV and Career Development Plans and a minimum score is required to pass.

Submitting your Award for assessment

After completing the two main workshops, attendance at 2 or more skills workshops, minimum 25 hours of volunteering, a presentation and submission of 2 assignments, you can submit your application for the Volunteering Award to the volunteering team. If your application for the award is successful and you have passed, you will be awarded a certificate at the Contact Celebration Event in June and you will receive the ‘Leicester Award: Community Engagement’ on your degree transcript.

For more information, please email: volunteeringaward@le.ac.uk