Volunteering as part of students' studies

New doers and ideas for volunteer activities

In many higher education institutions and upper secondary level educational institutions, volunteering and the competence gained through it can be recognised as part of studies – and at the same time, branches gain new, motivated volunteers for their activities.

This page brings together why collaboration with educational institutions and the integration of volunteering into studies are worthwhile, and how a branch can start collaborating with a local educational institution.

What does integrating volunteering into studies mean?

Integration into studies means making the competence gained through volunteering visible and recognisable as part of studies. A student can receive, for example, credits, a placement completion or a demonstration of competence for their volunteering.

Learning objectives are set together with the educational institution, and the student demonstrates their learning for example by reflecting, keeping a learning diary or receiving feedback from a supervisor. The local branch's role is to offer a safe, supervised environment where learning can take place naturally as part of volunteering.

Why is it worth integrating volunteering into studies?

Local collaboration between the branch and the educational institution benefits everyone!

The branch gains

• new volunteers,
• more committed and regular activity,
• diverse and up-to-date competence, and
• the opportunity to strengthen the Red Cross's role as a promoter of learning and inclusion.

The student gains

• credits or completed study units for meaningful work,
• competence valued in working life,
• experience that can be used directly in their CV and job search, and
• the opportunity to help and make a difference already during their studies.

The educational institution gains

• a genuinely working-life-oriented learning environment for the student,
• flexible ways to implement curricula, and
• a partner whose values support educational objectives.

What kind of competence is gained through volunteering?

,A student learns in Red Cross volunteering, for example:

• interaction and encounter skills,
• group facilitation and guidance work,
• taking responsibility and working independently,
• equality and multicultural competence, and
• ethical thinking and values-based action.

These correspond to the curriculum objectives of many fields (e.g. social services, education, youth work, health care and communications).

Is your branch interested in giving it a try? Here's how to get started:

1. Prepare for the collaboration

Before proposing collaboration to an educational institution, the branch's volunteers in charge should brainstorm what kind of collaboration could be proposed to the local educational institution. A fully finished plan is not needed, but a shared commitment to the collaboration is important. The collaboration idea should be based on local needs.

2. Contact the educational institution

You can contact, for example, the institution's study counsellor, a teacher or the person responsible for education. Tell them about your idea, be prepared to explain the benefits of the collaboration for the student or students, and agree on how to move forward with starting the collaboration.

3. Agree on the ground rules

At the start of the collaboration, you will discuss with the educational institution matters such as practical implementation and the recruitment of students. In addition, the educational institution decides which study unit, placement or demonstration of competence the volunteering can be linked to and how the student demonstrates their learning (e.g. reflection, learning diary, supervisor's feedback). It is good to agree in writing on the scope of the activity and the division of responsibilities.

4. Activity in everyday life

The student volunteers like everyone else as part of the branch's volunteer community, according to their own resources. The branch's role is to offer a safe environment and to support the volunteer's learning as part of everyday activities.