Information for current volunteers

This page is regularly updated with information and resources for current volunteers.

Volunteer accreditation

There are two ways in which you can receive accreditation for your volunteering at the Volunteer Centre (VC). If you want to stretch yourself and really get the most out of your volunteering, there is the Volunteer Development Award - Learn, Serve, Enjoy. If you would simply like to count your hours, you can work towards the LSE VC Volunteering Certificates.

Learn, Serve, Enjoy - the Volunteer Development Award

We believe that you should receive recognition for your volunteering which is why LSE VC has a reflective volunteer award, called Learn, Serve, Enjoy. 

The idea of the Award is to help you to make the most of your volunteering, by supporting you to further develop your  awareness of the skills, knowledge and experiences you are acquiring through your project. 

By undertaking this award, you will be able to manage your own learning process and actively develop and improve your skills. You will also develop a portfolio of evidence of skills and experience, which you will be able to refer to on application forms and interviews. 

There are three sections to the award:

Learn - skills development

• Examine the skills needed for your volunteering role and future professional life
• Establish which skills you would like to develop
• Set personal goals and identify how you will develop these new skills
• Keep a log to record evidence of how you are actively trying to achieve your targets

Serve - special study and presentation

• Identify the areas of knowledge needed for your volunteering role, i.e., issues around homelessness, the rights of refugees, group dynamics, etc
• Examine what knowledge you need to acquire to perform your volunteer tasks  
• Compile a research/training file, note-book or electronic resource with training material, articles, procedures, etc

Enjoy - volunteering journal

• Record your volunteering experience - writing is a process of reflection and deepening understanding, the journal will help you monitor your practice and acknowledge your achievements.

If you would like more information on the  Learn, Serve and Enjoy volunteer Award, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator to arrange a meeting, by writing to volunteer@lse.ac.uk and/or have look at this power point file: Learn, Serve and Enjoy

Volunteering certificates

There are three different categories of volunteering certificate - bronze, silver and gold. All you need to do is record the number of hours for which you volunteer at an LSE VC project using the timesheet below. You will need to get your hours signed by your project supervisor.

• Bronze: 10 - 25 hours
• Silver: 26 - 50 hours
• Gold: over 50 hours

Download the Volunteering Time Record (Word document).

Feedback

We are always keen to hear your views on how we can improve our service to you. Please let us know your thoughts. Also, let us know if there is a particular type of project you would like to do or if you have an idea for a project you would like to organise yourself.

Email us at: volunteer@lse.ac.uk

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