COVID-19 Volunteering: how can you help?

Helping those suffering from COVID-19

During this time, we aim to keep you up to date with the best ways that you can support your community. If you have any suggestions, or if you are a local charity looking to recruit volunteers please reach out to us at Volunteering@shu.ac.uk

Emergency Student Volunteering Policy during COVID-19

The University takes its civic role seriously and is committed to enhancing the wellbeing and sustainability of the region. We strive to build and maintain a diverse organisation that is responsive to the needs of our staff, students and local community, and can offer support when it is most needed. We have a proud tradition of volunteering, and our students have the skills, capabilities and expertise to offer to the local community.

At this difficult time, SHSU supports students who wish to undertake volunteering activities safely, and within the current government guidelines. To read more about this policy and what it means for you please click here.

We're in the process of collating ways in which you can support your community; we are currently talking to community partners, so this is by no means a comprehensive list, but a few ways in which you can support at the moment.

• Acorn Coronavirus Community Support Watch Lauren's video below to find out more

• Covid -19 Mutual aid groups are being set up around the country, join your local group, or set one up here 
• Join and support the Hallam Students' Covid-19 Mutual Aid Group
• You can sign up to the British Red Cross’ community reserve volunteers scheme
• Find out more about volunteering with the Sheffield City council or local charities here.

• You can support Foodhall; a volunteer-powered community food hub based in the heart of Sheffield, it’s their priority to ensure that everybody can have access to food.

• NHS Volunteers - The NHS are looking for volunteers to help out with Community Response, Patient Transport, NHS Transport and Check-in and Chat roles. For more info on the roles visit this NHS Website. ( This role is full at the moment.)
• Send out cards to you neighbours who might need some support, here's a template you can use:

drive.google.com/file/d/1L_8GoI1zQ572fBZtElFfQZI9vNEwK7Rf/view

In the meantime, following instructions from public health agencies, being kind and empathising with those that are finding it difficult at this time are some of the best things that you can do to help your community.

Staying safe when supporting others

It’s important to stay safe when supporting others. Use the following instructions created by NCVO:

• Let family and friends know what you are doing and where you are going
• Support family, friends and neighbours by phone or video call
• Stay at least two metres or about three steps away from people you’re helping
• Offer to run errands for people but stay outside of people’s homes
• Keep washing your hands, often, for 20 seconds
• Don’t take on too much as it’s often better not to offer at all than to let someone down
• If you’re trying to help someone with very serious issues, then don’t be afraid to flag with appropriate statutory services

The Volunteering team are currently working remotely; if you have any questions or would like any more information about getting involved please don’t hesitate to contact us at: Volunteering@shu.ac.uk.