These projects are run by self- identifying women volunteers supporting the wellbeing of women living in local centres. Currently our volunteers visit women’s shelters and supported housing to cook meals and run activity sessions for women with mental health issues.

There are two projects available in this area, Burkhart Project and Direct Access Project. Hear from their project leaders below:

Burkhart Women’s Project

To get involved with our Burkhart project, find their Volunteer Hub advert here or email Project Leader Eve on sa.womens@outlook.com

Direct Access Women’s Project

To get involved with the Direct Access Project, look them up on the Volunteer Hub or email Project Leader May on sa.directaccess@gmail.com

Student Action has 4 projects that support homeless people, or those on the edge of homelessness, in and around Manchester. Our projects form part of the Coalition of Relief, which is a group of organisations which have come together to help combat the problems that homeless people face in Manchester.

Stockport Food Project

The project aims to provide a hot, healthy meal for residents at a homeless shelter. The shelter provides support for men and is based in Stockport. We aim to provide this meal once a week and provide social interaction as we eat and cook together in the communal kitchen. It is beneficial for the people living there as we engage with them and create a healthy environment. To get involved with Stockport Food Project, look them up on the Volunteer Hub or email Project Leaders Lily and Louis on stockporthomelessfoodproject@gmail.com

Strathclyde Shelter Project

This project focuses on connecting with women and children staying in the shelter through entertaining and creative activities. It is a way to provide support to those people during a difficult time in their life. To get involved with Strathclyde Shelter Project, look them up on the Volunteer Hub or email Project Leaders Mary and Rosheen on projectleaderstrathclyde@gmail.com

Outreach Project

Within the current COVID-19 guidelines, we aim to go out in Manchester city centre, usually in pairs (a project leader and volunteer). We provide hot

drinks, signposting (to services such as shelters, access to hot meals and housing advice) and company to the homeless people of Manchester. To get involved with the Outreach Project, look them up on the Volunteer Hub or email Senior Project Leader Lucy on saoutreachproject@gmail.com

Once A Month Project

This project aims to support vulnerable people across Manchester by providing charities with sanitary products and hygiene items. We aim to ensure that the packing sessions are fun and relaxing, enabling volunteers to meet like-minded people whilst also contributing to the local community. To get involved with Once A Month, look them up on Facebook or the Volunteer Hub or email Project Leaders Isabel, Salma, Sanna, and Kathryn on onceamonth.sa@gmail.com

Volunteers on our Willowbank project plan and deliver fun recreational sessions for local young people and children in local temporary accommodation, sharing their knowledge and skills with children living there. To get involved with the Willowbank project, look for them on the Volunteer Hub or email Project Leader Becky on willowvolunteering@outlook.com for more information.

Student Action has 4 projects that focus on sustainability, each of which tackle today’s issues from a different angle.

Incredible Edible

Incredible Edible aims to raise awareness of environmental issues, food justice and sustainability by cultivating organic vegetables and herbs around the University for the local community to use free of charge. To get involved with Incredible Edible, look for them on the Volunteer Hub or email Project Leaders Akhila and Alice on incredibleedibleteam@outlook.com

Biko Bikes

The aim of this project is to make cycling more accessible to students by providing bikes to rent at a low cost and helping existing bike owners repair and maintain their bikes. This promotes a sustainable, healthy lifestyle and fun way of travelling around the city. Get involved with Biko Bikes by finding them on Facebook or the Volunteer Hub or email Project Leaders Tom, Phoebe, and Charlie on umsubikes@gmail.com

Want Not Waste

Want Not Waste is a student-run plastic-free shop, selling sustainable goods as well as hosting a range of events such as such as clothes swaps, DIY/skill share workshops, and talks on living sustainably. To find out more, visit their Facebook page, find them on the Volunteer Hub or email Project Leaders Holly, Tasha, Eric, Lauren, Lucy, and Ciara on wantnotwastemanchester@gmail.com

The Closet

The Closet promotes sustainable fashion by holding vintage and sample clothing sales, donating all profits to Manchester Mind. Volunteers can take on a number responsibilities including marketing and visual merchandising, and you can apply online through the Volunteer Hub. Volunteer Hub current advert: https://find-volunteering.manchester.ac.uk/opportunity/result/30196 Follow The Closet on Facebook to find out about their upcoming events, or email Project Leaders Abbey and Sangjin on theclosetmcr@gmail.com.

Student Angels

Student Angels is a night-time street safety initiative, which involves teams of trained student volunteer leaders and support volunteers heading out into the Manchester University and Fallowfield areas at peak night times over the weekend to support our student community in a variety of ways. We provide

anything from a chat to first aid, and we’ve risk assessed all our activity in line with COVID-19 guidance. To find out more, visit their Facebook page, email Project Matilda on volunteering.su@manchester.ac.uk or apply below:

Volunteer application: https://find-volunteering.manchester.ac.uk/opportunity/result/29876
Shift lead volunteer application: https://find-volunteering.manchester.ac.uk/opportunity/result/29874

The Refugee and Asylum Seeker Conversation Club provides a safe and supportive environment for sanctuary seekers to practice their English speaking skills through friendly conversation. The project works with lots of different charity partners, and will have in-person and remote opportunities available on the Volunteer Hub throughout the year.

To find out more, email Project Leaders Abi, Rosa, and Megan on convoclub.uom@gmail.com

UoM Buddy Scheme

The UoM Buddy Scheme was set up in March 2020 as a response to Covid-19. The scheme matches student volunteers with elderly people. The volunteers ring their buddy at least once a week for a friendly chat and provide an important outside connection in an increasingly lonely situation. If you are interested in volunteering, you can look them up on the Volunteer Hub or email Project Leaders Fangyuan, Vicky, Frankie, Emma, and Amelia on uombuddyscheme@gmail.com

If you would like to refer an older person to the scheme please fill out this survey.

Intergen Events, Parties, & Trips

Our intergenerational projects invite elderly people from the local community to join us for a number of wonderful events held throughout the year. With

over 100 local elderly people on our database our events are lively to say the least. We hold parties, film afternoons, dance classes and trips throughout the year. The community really look forwards to the events and they are great fun for volunteers to get involved with as well! Opportunities to get involved will be added to the Volunteer Hub from January 2021, so make sure to check back! If you’d like to contact the project, email Project Leader Tina on sa.intergen@outlook.com.

People with People Tuesday and Wednesday groups connect young people with additional needs from across Manchester with our student volunteers with the aim of them enjoying fun, weekly social activities together as a group of friends. Past activities include arts & crafts, movie nights, meals out, zoo/aquarium trips and games evenings in the SU.

To find out more, email Project Leaders Tom and Natalie with any questions, or find the projects on the Volunteer Hub. Tuesday group – Tom – peoplewithpeopletuesdays@outlook.com Wednesday group – Natalie – pwp.wednesday@outlook.com