For Volunteers' Week 2025 | 2–8 June
In February, we launched a piece of research into student volunteering in Greater Manchester, bringing together VCSE organisations, universities and colleges, and student volunteers. The session sparked valuable cross-sector conversations and confirmed a strong appetite to make student volunteering more inclusive, visible, and impactful across the city region.
The research explores the motivations and barriers for students, alongside organisational challenges and practical recommendations. What stood out in the room were the stories: students keen to contribute but feeling unsure how to connect; organisations open to working with students but needing clearer pathways and support; and a shared recognition that small, intentional changes - like flexible opportunities and targeted recognition - can unlock real value.
Participants also highlighted important opportunities:
- Creating better links between universities and VCSE organisations
- Ensuring volunteering is visible, local, and skills-based
- Supporting volunteer managers to feel more confident in engaging students
- Rotating events and activity across Greater Manchester, not just the city centre
These discussions have shaped a joint implementation plan - bringing together ideas from the research and the energy of the launch event. This includes:
- A Student Volunteering Microsite to surface relevant, student-suitable roles (set to launch over the summer)
- A toolkit to support organisations in engaging students meaningfully
- Light-touch training content for volunteer managers
- Strengthened partnerships with local colleges and universities
- More opportunities to celebrate and spotlight student contributions
This Volunteers’ Week, we’re using the moment to reshare this work, lift up stories from across the sector, and invite others to get involved in shaping what comes next.
Student volunteering is already happening in powerful ways across Greater Manchester. Our role now is to connect the dots, build some of the infrastructure, and ensure that students feel part of a volunteering culture that welcomes and values them.
Read the full report: http://bit.ly/4dIuT6u
Get involved or share your ideas, we'd love to hear from you. You can get in touch by emailing: [email protected].