What is a People & Planet Group Support Volunteer?
People & Planet Group Support Volunteers are young people with experience of campaigning in a university People & Planet group. They help to start a People & Planet group in a school or college, or we match them with an existing or struggling group, and then they attend regular group meetings to offer face to face support and advice on campaign planning and group work. All Group Support Volunteers are passionate about helping groups to campaign for change.
How can I become a People & Planet Group Support Volunteer?
If you are in a People & Planet university group in London, Reading, Oxford, Leeds, Sheffield or Bradford and you’d like to support a local Sixth Form group, we’d love to hear from you. Read the role description.
To apply please fill in the application form bellow and email it to us by Friday 16 May.
Application form in Open Office format
If you’ve got any questions about Group Support Volunteers just send us an email and we’ll get back to you asap.
Current Group Support Volunteer Kristina reports on her work in Leeds
Being a Group Support Volunteer for People & Planet is a great way to get more involved in the network and develop your skills as a campaigner. I started working with a small group of students from Abbey Grange School in Leeds late last year, who were already active campaigners but wanted to know more about becoming a Fairtrade school. The Global Justice group’s membership is rapidly expanding. Last month it held its first Fairtrade steering group meeting, attended by teachers and keen student representatives from most academic years. After a successful week-long stall during Fairtrade Fortnight to raise awareness across the whole school, the group is about to adopt a Fairtrade Schools policy and hopes to achieve Fairtrade status within the year. The wonderful thing about the group I have been mentoring is how little effort it requires —- the group has been completely driven by the students’ enthusiasm and ideas, and teachers are very supportive. You’re basically there as a local point of contact with the P&P network, giving campaigners a helpful nudge in the right direction and linking them up with useful resources. After three years in Leeds University Union’s People & Planet group, it’s a fantastic opportunity to share the knowledge and skills I’ve gained and wish I knew in the beginning! I’m also learning more about campaign strategies, activism in a different environment and just how important it is to get schools on board. With issues like trade justice and climate change now central to the new ‘Global Citizenship’ curriculum, teachers and students are looking for ways to take the message beyond the classroom. So let’s support them! Anyone can be a mentor —- as an active P&P member you’re already well qualified —- and it’s a brilliant way to polish your campaigning and communication skills for University and beyond…
How can we get a Group Support Volunteer for our school/college?
If you are in a Sixth Form People & Planet group, or want to set one up, and you’re in London, Reading, Oxford, Leeds, Sheffield or Bradford, then you may be able to get a Group Support Volunteer to work with your group. Please send us an email if you are interested.
Please note that all Group Support Volunteers attend a training course, are interviewed and reference checked, and obtain an enhanced criminal record disclosure.