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Volunteer

Give back your time to inspire the next generation of students and graduates while developing your own skills.

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A digital showcase highlighting the extraordinary impact that our alumni, supporters, and friends have on our community.

The University of ¾Ã¾Ã¾«Æ· community is enhanced by our alumni volunteers. Hundreds of alumni give their time, expertise and knowledge to support the university. From mentoring our students and sitting on advisory boards, we are incredibly thankful for your support.

Below you will find current opportunities as well as opportunities where we need support all year round.

Help shape your alumni reunion - May 2025

We will be organising an alumni reunion May 2025. Your input and advice would be invaluable in helping us to shape a reunion around the interests of alumni. If you are interested in getting involved, whether that is to develop the programme, help us spread the word, or share your ideas, we would like to set up a meeting to discuss.

Please complete the short form below or email Minh Lam, Deputy Head, Alumni & Regular Giving at alumni@gre.ac.uk.

Inspire the next generation at one of our campus Open Days

Would you like to inspire the next generation of ¾Ã¾Ã¾«Æ· students by sharing your experience of life at university? As a valued member of our alumni community, your unique and personal first-hand experiences in the "real world" can resonate with current and prospective students, offering invaluable insights and help with planning and preparing for their future life at ¾Ã¾Ã¾«Æ·, Avery Hill and Medway.

Consider joining us for an open day or postgraduate open evening, where there are lots of different ways you can get involved such as:

  • Volunteering as a speaker for a student talk
  • Participating in Q&A sessions
  • Engaging with prospective students about your university experiences at a Faculty, ¾Ã¾Ã¾«Æ· Students’ Union or Employability and Careers stand

Open day alumni roles vary depending on the programme of events, but we are always in need of interested volunteers. Please note you would not need to prepare anything in advance of taking part, an informal meeting will be set up prior to the event to answer any questions you might have.

Upcoming open days/evenings:

Date: Wednesday 5 March, 2025
Event timings: 5pm - 7.30pm   
Location: ¾Ã¾Ã¾«Æ· campus

Date: Saturday 22 March, 2025
Event timings: 10am - 3pm  
Location: All campuses

Date: Saturday 21 June, 2025
Event timings: 10am - 3pm   
Location: All campuses

Volunteers will only be required to attend for their allotted role and would not need to stay on campus for the full day/evening of the event.

If this sounds like something you're interested in, we would love to hear from you. Please fill in the expression of interest form at the end of this page and a member of the Student Recruitment Events team will be in touch.

Career Case Studies needed - ¾Ã¾Ã¾«Æ· Business School

¾Ã¾Ã¾«Æ· Business School are seeking alumni to take part in a series of case studies to highlight alumni career journeys and successes. if you have two hours to reflect on your experience at the University of ¾Ã¾Ã¾«Æ·, you can help inspire the next generation of business students. Sharing the impact and outcome of your time as a student and how your studies have helped shape your career is invaluable.

You are invited to apply if graduated from ¾Ã¾Ã¾«Æ· Business School from 2000 onwards!

  • Date: Flexible to suit alumni volunteers between now and late January 2025.
  • Commitment: 2 hours
  • Location: ¾Ã¾Ã¾«Æ· Campus preferable although open to online discussions

If you would like to get involved, please complete the short form below expressing your interest for the 'Career Case Studies' volunteering opportunity and a member of ¾Ã¾Ã¾«Æ· Business School will be in touch.

2024-25 Career Mentoring Programme is now open!

Embark on a transformative journey through the University of ¾Ã¾Ã¾«Æ·’s inclusive Career Mentoring Programme. Designed to empower students across all faculties and facilitated seamlessly through our Ask Alumni+ platform.

We partner with mentors who are alumni and partners from local, national and international employers, including Google, Oracle, PwC, Barclays, The Royal College of Psychiatrists, ArcelorMittal and many more.

Mentors and mentees receive support through training sessions, 1-2-1s, catch-ups and drop-in sessions to ensure you are getting the most out of mentoring. Alongside our partners, we hold several events throughout the mentoring programme, including exclusive workshops and networking opportunities.

Why be a mentor?

The contribution our alumni mentors make to the mentoring programme is truly invaluable. There are many reasons alumni want to become mentors. You want to give something back and be the role model you would have wanted. You want to share your personal/industry expertise and experiences.

Mentors also gain a lot. You have an opportunity to build your skills and competencies as a leader or advisor. You also gain from reverse mentoring such as insight from mentees on their lived experiences, current academic learning, and the outlook of early career talent.

How does it work?

  • Registration date: From July to December.
  • Programme date: From January to June.
  • Time commitment: 1 to 4 hours per month (virtually or in person) set by you and your mentee.
  • Support and training: Mentors have access to the Career Mentoring team, who provide training videos and a guidance pack ahead of the start date. The team is also on hand throughout to support mentors with any queries or additional information.

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and the Employability team will match you with a mentee from September onwards based on your answers. Please note: As circumstances for mentors change year on year, we ask that alumni express their interest every year to ensure they are still available.

Open doors for a student through a work placement

Work placements are invaluable stepping stones in a student's journey from academia to the professional world. These experiences offer a unique blend of practical skills, industry insights, and personal growth. As alumni, you have the power to shape the next generation of professionals by offering these crucial opportunities. There are lots of benefits for students:

  • Real-world experience: Students gain hands-on experience in their chosen field, bridging the gap between theory and practice.
  • Professional network: Placements help students build connections that can be instrumental in their future careers.
  • Career clarity: Exposure to the workplace helps students refine their career goals and understand various roles within their industry.
  • Skill development: Students develop both technical and soft skills essential for professional success.
  • Enhanced employability: Work experience significantly boosts a graduate's resume, making them more attractive to potential employers.

However, as alumni, you also benefit. Offering placements is a meaningful way to support the University of ¾Ã¾Ã¾«Æ· and our students. Placement students bring new ideas and enthusiasm to the workplace. It is also an excellent way for you and your organisation to identify and nurture future talent.

By offering work placements, alumni can play a crucial role in shaping the future workforce while simultaneously benefiting their own organisation. Please email alumni@gre.ac.uk to find out more.

Become an International Volunteer

Throughout the year, we are interested in hearing from alumni based around the world to better engage and support our global alumni community.

Your involvement matters:

  • Give back: Contribute to the growth and success of the next generation of students.
  • Cultural exchange: Embrace diversity and learn about different cultures from first-hand experiences shared by your fellow alumni.
  • Social events and reunions: Relive your university memories and create new ones!

, where we connect with alumni based around the world to better engage and support our global ¾Ã¾Ã¾«Æ· community.

Volunteer with the Legal Advice Centre

All year round the University's Legal Advice Centre are in need of volunteers. The programme requires student-friendly lawyers to inspire the next generation whilst providing pro bono advice, and your contribution will greatly benefit our students and individuals who access the Legal Advice Centre.

If you have 3 years PQE (Post-Qualified Experience), would like to pass on your skills and knowledge, and specialise in family, employment or housing law, we would love to hear from you. We are also interested in lawyers who have practice knowledge of welfare benefits, education or small business law.

To register your interest, please which will be shared with the Legal Advice Centre team.

Share your experience as a speaker

Across the university, staff are seeking alumni from diverse fields to speak about their career journey and experience since leaving ¾Ã¾Ã¾«Æ·. These events may be organised by your Faculty or the Employability and Apprenticeship team and welcome students from all degrees interested in starting a career in a specific industry.

Volunteer opportunities usually require approximately 1.5 hours of your availability and can include:

  • Taking part in a panel as a speaker
  • Delivering a lecture-style session
  • Leading a workshop
  • Presenting a 10-minute 'lightening' talk
  • Participating in an application series and offering constructive feedback on pitches
  • Connecting and networking

If you're interested in being a speaker, please join the on the Ask Alumni+ platform.

The community provides a space for alumni interested in supporting ¾Ã¾Ã¾«Æ· students through a range of virtual and in-person activities across the year. Members can view new and upcoming volunteer opportunities as they’re posted to the feed by University of ¾Ã¾Ã¾«Æ· staff. All volunteer hours are recorded, and volunteers are recognised in the annual Supporter Roll.

Become a Giving Champion

We are seeking alumni volunteers who can leverage their networks and communities to showcase giving to ¾Ã¾Ã¾«Æ·, starting with our crowdfunding programme.

What does it mean to be a Giving Champion?

As a Giving Champion, you will choose and fundraise for at least one project that holds personal significance to you. We provide you with all the essential resources you need, including template emails, social media posts, captivating images and more.

Join a community committed to giving

As a Giving Champion, you’re not just an individual fundraiser, you are part of a dedicated community focused on redefining the culture of giving within our broader community. Your role involves raising awareness of the various ways of our community of supporters can create a meaningful difference through fundraising.

Together, we can make a greater impact

Whatever your connection to ¾Ã¾Ã¾«Æ·, you have the potential to help us extend our reach to a broader audience than we can on our own. Join us in becoming a Giving Champion and let’s transform lives and communities together.

Register your interest using the form below.

Register your interest in volunteering

Now that I have graduated, there were things I wish I had known during my time at university. So I felt it was important for me to become a volunteer to pass on knowledge and to guide current students.

- Clinton Niemba, BSc Sports Science, 2017