Thursday 07-02-2019 - 09:01

It’s Student Volunteering Week (4th – 8th February) here at The Union. Understandably, you might not have loads of spare time to dedicate to volunteering - but did you know you could volunteer two minutes every day, and you don’t even have to leave your bed?

Microvolunteering is the quick and easy way to help the community from your phone or your computer – we have a few places you can get started.

Free Rice
Easy trivia for a good cause - answer simple questions about words, maths or flags of the world. Each time you answer a question right, the World Food Programme (through the ads on the website) can buy 10 grains of rice to send to those in need.

Be My Eyes  
This app will connect you to a blind person who needs to borrow your sight – in a live video call, you can help with anything from checking expiry dates, telling apart colours, or reading instructions.

Cancer Research Games 
Cancer Research UK have online games and puzzles, which support scientific research within the organisation – so you’re taking small (and entertaining) steps to assist in a national effort to beat cancer.

Zooniverse
Transcribe old documents from William Shakespeare or check drone footage for Orangutans – Zooniverse lets you assist professional researchers to enable study that wouldn’t be possible without volunteers. You can spend as much or little time working on projects across a wide range of areas, and to be honest, a lot of the time it’s kind of fun!

Sign your name
Sometimes, signing your name to a petition can make a huge difference to someone’s life. You can find causes that you want to help on Amnesty International, Change.org or Government Petitions.

#2minutelitterpick
Ok, so not from your phone, but this one is inspired by an app, which documents those who clean beaches. If you’re passing through a park, or walking into town, why not pick up that crisp packet and put it in the bin? Takes no time out your day, and makes the world a little bit cleaner.

If you want to get involved in more than what’s online, you can find what Volunteering at The Union has to offer.