How do I join the Student Volunteer Programme?
Volunteering is open to all students, whether you are in 1st year, post-graduate or an international student and Rhodes University students are encouraged to actively participate in the Student Volunteer Programme, giving at least an hour of their time, skills and energy to make a positive difference in the Grahamstown community.
"It helped me continue to develop my passion for helping people, making the difference I want to see and also cultivating a culture of wanting to learn in scholars at a young age, which they could keep throughout their lives if they really wanted to and found it helpful. I have been given an opportunity to impact a child's life at a point and time where everything they experience will either make or break them into the person they will become when they grow up. I take this seriously and have devoted my energy and time to making the most from the meetings I have had with the kids each Tuesday afternoon."
1) Application and Registration
All students interested in volunteering will be required to complete an application form.
Your completed application forms must be submitted to the Community Engagement Unit by
2) Allocation
Your placement is dependent on your choice, volunteering opportunities available, and of course, your timetable.
You will be required to complete the Memorandum of Agreement and Confidentiality form, as well as an Indemnity Form.
3) Training
Once the allocation and registration process has been completed, you will be required to attend training to prepare you for volunteering placement.
The CE Unit will provide you with the details of which workshops you will be required to attend during the allocation and registration process. Please do keep these dates open as the training will be invaluable to your volunteering experience and you will not be permitted to volunteer if you do not attend your training: Attendance is compulsory.
Please note: there is no volunteering on public holidays or during the Rhodes Vac.
TRANSPORT
The SVP makes use of the Rhodetrip to provide transport to all the volunteer placements that are not within walking distance from campus. (You will be informed if your projects is one of those without transport e.g GHT public library or Raphael Centre) The SVP’s contract with Rhodetrip means that there is an allocated vehicle for the Programme, as well as a dedicated driver who knows the Grahamstown community well. The pick up and drop off point is outside of the CSD and CE offices – 5 Prince Alfred Street. Volunteers are requested to be ready and waiting for the bus at least 30 minutes before their allocated volunteering time.
All three of these forms need to be handed in prior to registration for a slot
a. Volunteer application registration form
b. Memorandum of Agreement and confidentiality form
c. Indemnity form
Register for a slot of your choice:
You can register for your particular placement at the Community Engagement Unit. The Community Engagement Unit is open from 8:00 to 17:00. The Community Engagement Unit is closed over lunch (12:45 to 14:00. The Student Volunteer Programme has a maximum capacity of 250 but we strongly encourage you to sign up speedily as places will fill quickly. You will be given a confirmation of placement once we have received all your forms and have checked that all is in order with your placement. Once you have registered for your placement please ensure you arrive as per the transport schedule.
WORKSHOPS
The series of workshops are held to introduce you to volunteering in Grahamstown. Attendance at these workshops is compulsory for participation in the programme. Failure to attend these workshops without a valid excuse will result in being removed from the Student Volunteer Programme.
PLEASE NOTE THERE IS NO VOLUNTEERING ON PUBLIC HOLIDAY
It is compulsory that Student Volunteers make use of the transport provided. This is for your own safety. The pick up and drop off point will be outside the Community Engagement Unit. Please wait outside the Community Engagement Unit 30 minutes before your allocated time.
NB: Please note that if you are under the age of 18, it is essential that one of your parents or your legal guardian signs an indemnity form for you. (Form entitled "Minor Student" )
