7 February 2013

Volunteering Fair set to be University's largest

More than 80 organisations, ranging from charities to political parties and youth groups to emergency services, will be exhibiting at the University of Dundee's largest ever Volunteering Fair later this month.

The 2013 Volunteering Fair will take place at Bonar Hall from 11am-3pm on Wednesday, 20th February. Dozens of organisations and groups will be attending the event with the aim of promoting the range of volunteering, work experience and summer work opportunities to students, staff and graduates.

The Volunteering Fair is hosted by the University's Careers Service in conjunction with Dundee University Students Association (DUSA).

Karen Sleith, Employer Marketing Manager and organiser of the Volunteering Fair, said, "We have been running the Fair for some years now and we have seen in grow in parallel with the recognition of the benefits of volunteering.

"These are immense, both for the individual and the community. It instils a tremendous sense of wellbeing and community spirit. Volunteering has also been proven to have a positive effect on student employability with many graduate recruiters recognising it as a must-have on any graduate CV, so it's more important than ever that students and graduates engage in this type of activity."

The University has already highlighted the huge importance of volunteering with the 2012 launch of a new Student Volunteering Pledge, which demonstrates the University's commitment to volunteering, both on campus and across local, national and international organisations.

The Student Volunteering Working Group have been carrying out audits of existing volunteering within the University, and have signed up to a national scheme designed to support, recognise and reward groups with a proven track record of involving volunteers in their work.

The University has also awarded Volunteering Gold Awards to students who have shown a passion and commitment for volunteering.

Organisations attending the 2013 Volunteering Fair include the British Red Cross, Dundee Science Centre, Girlguiding Dundee, the Liberal Democrats, Macmillan Cancer Support, Tayside Police and the Marine Conservation Society.

A full list of organisations taking part can be found at www.dundee.ac.uk/careers/fairs/volunteerfair/.

For media enquiries contact:
Roddy Isles
Head. Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07800 581902