Volunteering

The University of Leeds has a dedicated Volunteering team to help you to access volunteering opportunities during your time in Leeds. 

We aim to connect you with volunteering roles at charities or not for profit organisations in the Leeds area. 


What are the benefits of volunteering?

  • It’s a highly rewarding and enjoyable experience which gives back to the local community 
  • It offers you a chance to help support a cause you feel passionate about 
  • It can enrich your time here in Leeds and connect you to projects, places and people in the Leeds area which you’d not otherwise come into contact with  
  • It offers you a chance to find out what you’d like to do as a career, or if you already know you’re career path, help to give you the skills and experience to give you a head start  

As part of your volunteering you may have access to specialist training at the charities and you’ll also gain many skills such as teamwork and communication to be able to evidence on application forms when applying for jobs.
The range of volunteering activities are vast: supporting vulnerable adults, conservation work, assisting in Art Galleries and Museums, helping at soup kitchens for the homeless, and supporting refugees and asylum seekers. Some are one-off activities such as marshalling at a charity sporting event and others require a longer commitment, but all would be manageable to fit in around your academic work.  
To find out more visit the Leeds Volunteering Hub on MyCareer 

You can also follow the latest news on twitter at @LeedsVolunteer or email for advice at volunteer@leeds.ac.uk

Volunteering with Leeds University Union 

Over 2,500 students volunteer through Leeds University Union and you could be one of them. There are a whole host of ways you can get involved, through a society or becoming a rep. For more information, visit the Student Engagement Desk on Level 1 in the Union building, open during term time or email the LUU Student Activities team: Activities@leeds.ac.uk

Volunteer on an LUU Community Project

We run our own community projects including Bardon Grange, a community food growing project, and Leave Leeds Tidy, a project that aims to reduce the environmental impact students have on Leeds during the changeover period. Find out more at www.luu.org.uk/community.

Become a Rep

There are opportunities to represent your peers as a Course or School Rep (representing students on your course or in your school), a Community Rep (representing students living in certain areas of Leeds) or a Student Activities Rep (representing a category of student clubs and societies). For more information, visit the Leeds University Union website.

Stand for your Hall’s Exec

Hall’s Exec organise events, sports and other activities within Halls of Residence. To be on your halls’ exec, you must first nominate yourself for a role and then be elected by students in your hall. To find out more, see https://www.luu.org.uk/halls. 

Stand for a committee position in a club or society

Student clubs and societies are run by elected committees. Every society needs a President, Treasurer and Secretary and many also have additional roles. If you find a society you like, why not consider standing for a committee position at its next AGM (Annual General Meeting). Find out more at https://www.luu.org.uk/clubs-and-societies/

Volunteering through sport 

Leeds Sport have lots of volunteering opportunities on campus, in the local community & internationally. Leeds Sport aim to enhance your university experience and bring people across Leeds together through sports volunteering. Read more about the opportunities they have available here: https://sport.leeds.ac.uk/sport/volunteering-in-sport/