Our mission is to ensure Aber students love student life. Our values underpin this as we…
- are shaped by students - Your voice matters most
- are a community - We want you involved
- are transparent - We are always honest and open
- are ambitious - We develop for the future
- caru Cymraeg - We champion Welsh language and culture
We foster a culture of empowerment, inclusivity, and sustainability. Aiming to meet growing student demands; our objectives include increasing engagement, developing diverse opportunities, embedding a culture of volunteering and recognition, fostering inclusivity, and measuring impact. With the generous award of £25,000, we seek to enhance community connections and implement lasting practices as we embark on a transformative journey, guided by a passionate team and a shared vision of building resilient communities.
"Love Student Life - Love Student Volunteering" is a testament to our dedication to students and their personal development. Led by students and supported by a dedicated team of staff, the Students’ Union endeavours to enrich the student experience, ensuring students are happy, healthy and empowered, with lasting friendships and promising futures. Our history of cherishing student volunteers spans a spectrum of initiatives, from local community projects to national campaigns, fostering a spirit of altruism and social responsibility among Aberystwyth's student body.
The £25,000 grant awarded through Wales Council for Voluntary Action as part of their Volunteering Wales Main Grant scheme presents an opportunity to expand our impact and strengthen our commitment to student volunteering and community engagement. With this funding, we are poised to curate positive change and shape a more cohesive and resilient community.
The significance of this funding extends beyond monetary value; it represents a collective investment in the future of our community. By empowering students to become active agents of change, we not only enhance student life but also forge deeper connections with the broader community. Through collaborative partnerships and impactful initiatives, we aim to foster a sense of belonging, purpose, and shared responsibility among students and community members alike.
Achieving our objectives requires a collaborative approach, and we are grateful for the support of our partners, from local organisations to academic departments, our success is intertwined with the collective efforts of all involved. Together we are driven by a shared commitment to student empowerment and community development.
We invite students to get involved and encourage local groups to collaborate with us. There are numerous ways to get involved, including:
- Volunteer Opportunities: Explore a diverse range of volunteering opportunities tailored to your interests and skills through our dedicated platform.
- Community Events: Participate in joint events and initiatives aimed at strengthening community connections and addressing shared challenges.
- Skill Development: Enhance your skills and experiences through tailored training sessions and workshops designed to support your personal and professional growth.
- Support and Recognition: Join us in celebrating the contributions of our volunteers and supporting their journey towards personal development and societal impact.
Recognising the efforts of student volunteers is vital, we are proud of our Aber Award volunteering recognition scheme, designed to acknowledge volunteers at different levels of commitment and achievement. Volunteers will be celebrated for their contributions through regular communications on multiple platforms, including social media, website news articles, and local media stories.
A highlight of our recognition efforts is our annual celebration week in May, where we honour all students who have volunteered with us throughout the year. The pinnacle of this celebration is the Aber Award ceremony, where volunteers attend to receive certificates for their contributions. These awards are integrated into key ceremonies, recognising the dedication of clubs and society committee members, project leaders, volunteer officers, academic representatives, and wider student volunteering. All this culminating in the prestigious Volunteer of the Year award presented during our annual Teaching, Learning, and Student Experience awards.
Furthermore, our volunteering platform plays a crucial role in tracking and logging volunteering hours, skill development, and achievements of our volunteers. This platform serves as a centralised hub for monitoring volunteer engagement and the impact of volunteering activities. We also conduct regular surveys with our volunteers to gather insights into their experiences and assess the broader impact of their contributions on both personal and community levels.
For more information and to get involved, please check out or contact us through the following channels…
Website: www.abersu.co.uk/volunteering
Email: suvolunteering@aber.ac.uk
Social Media: @UndebAber // Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | X | LinekdIn
Phone: 01970 621700
"Love Student Life - Love Student Volunteering" embodies the spirit of student empowerment and community engagement. With the generous funding support and the dedication of our team, we are committed to realising our vision of a more inclusive, resilient, and vibrant community. Join us as we embark on this transformative journey, united by a shared passion for positive change and collective well-being. Aligned with the Well-being of Future Generations Act, our project is committed to two key goals:
A More Equal Wales: Prioritising inclusivity, we develop and promote volunteering opportunities addressing social inequalities. Through targeted outreach and collaboration, we aim to reach underrepresented groups in our student community. Utilising our volunteering platform, we track demographic data, identify barriers, and pursue the Investing in Volunteers accreditation.
A Wales of Cohesive Communities: Recognising our role as a bridge between students and the community, we prioritise community engagement. Strengthening partnerships with local organisations, we foster collaboration and address community needs collectively. Anticipating increased community representation at volunteering fairs, surveys conducted with registered organisations will provide valuable feedback on the positive impact of student volunteers.