Welcome to January! The new year stands before us, like a chapter in a book, waiting to be written. Whether you are returning to campus or just starting university, we hope you are ready to dive into uni life. If one of your New Year’s resolutions was to start volunteering, or do even more of it, we are here to help. The friendly Volunteering Team are here to support you every step of the way. We are always busy sourcing new opportunities both on campus and in the community, and planning exciting Do Good, Feel Good events for you to get involved in. Let’s make 2026 a year of impact, connection, and giving back!
In this Newsletter:
- Do Good, Feel Good
- Student Volunteering Week
- Volunteering Fairs
- Volun-cheers Awards
- Volunteering Opportunities
- Volunteering Support
Do Good, Feel Good
Do Good, Feel Good are events organised by the volunteering team whereby we can volunteer alongside each other and give something back to the community. We have some excellent ones lined up and we would love for you to join us.
Do Good, Feel Good, Crisp Packet Project 05.02.2026 helping the homeless with Nitelight
Do Good, Feel Good, The BIG Community DIG, 11.02.2026
Do Good, Feel Good Clothing Sale 12.02.2026
Do Good, Feel Good, 'LOVE' Volunteering Craft event 13.02.2026
Do Good, Feel Good, Keep Boro Tidy Litter pick 26.02.2026
In the run-up to Christmas, we took part in a wide range of festive activities, from wrapping presents and supporting food drives, to tree planting and our Warm This Winter sale. It was a fantastic way to give back to the community, and even better to spend time getting to know so many of our amazing volunteers along the way.
Student Volunteering Week
We are currently working towards an exciting plan of action to celebrate Student Volunteering Week, taking place from 9–13 February. Student Volunteering Week is a national campaign led by the Student Volunteering Network and celebrated across the UK, with universities and schools coming together to organise activities and events that encourage students to get involved in volunteering. This year, our chosen theme is all about “Love” (we must be quite the romantics in the Volunteering Team!). Love volunteering, Love making a difference, Love giving back to the community. We have already secured an external Do Good, Feel Good project with Middlesbrough Environment City and the BIG Community Dig campaign, alongside a packed programme of on-campus events. These include clothing sales, craft workshops, and roadshows designed to spread the word and inspire students to get involved.
Volunteering Fair
On Thursday 5 March, from 10am to 3pm, we will be hosting a large Careers and Volunteering Fair in the new, award-winning Digital Life Building. This fair is a fantastic opportunity to meet a wide range of organisations, explore volunteering opportunities, and learn how you can get involved. Our Semester 1 fairs were a great success, with lots of positive feedback from students who found connecting directly with organisations incredibly useful. Don’t miss this chance to make valuable connections and take the next step in your volunteering or career journey.
Volun-cheers Awards
Now that we are in 2026, we can officially start talking about, and planning for, one of the biggest highlights of our academic calendar: the Volun-cheers Awards! Taking place in early May 2026, this is our chance to celebrate the incredible impact our volunteers make, and we can’t wait. To make sure you get the recognition you deserve, please remember to log all your volunteering hours. As always, we will also be issuing special recognition awards, and you will have the opportunity to nominate others too. Maybe the organisation you volunteer with deserves Organisation of the Year, or perhaps you have a mentor who truly goes the extra mile.
Volunteering Opportunities
We have some great volunteering opportunities on the platform, please take a look!
British Heart Foundation
At the BHF, we are proud that the work we do is funding groundbreaking, lifesaving science that one day could see a world free from the fear of heart and circulatory diseases, including conditions such as heart attacks, stroke and vascular dementia.
Walk for Heart is February 2026 – British Heart Foundation
Depaul
Our Mission is to end homelessness and change the lives of those affected by it.
Family Action
Family Action works to tackle some of the most complex and difficult issues facing families today – including financial hardship, mental health problems, social isolation, learning disabilities, domestic abuse, or substance misuse and alcohol problems. These issues can have a huge impact on the stability of family life, and will have a significant impact on the health, wellbeing and development all family members.
Independent Monitoring Boards
Independent Monitoring Boards are made up of over a thousand unpaid volunteers operating in every prison in England and Wales. They report on whether the individuals held there are being treated fairly and humanely and whether prisoners are being given the support they need to turn their lives around. This can make a huge difference to the lives of those held within these facilities.
LGBTQ+ Focus Group (Teesside University)
Teesside University Proud and our LGBTQ+ Focus Group signify our commitment to celebrating and supporting our LGBTQ+ colleagues, students, and allies, and our desire to create an inclusive environment where everyone can be their genuine self.
Intersectional Pride Volunteer - TU
Library of Things Saltburn
We save waste and save people money by allowing them to borrow tools rather than buy tools and other 'occasional use' items.
MFC Foundation
By using the power and influence of the Middlesbrough Football Club brand we will deliver bespoke programmes providing opportunities to raise aspirations and improve the life chances of people across our local communities.
Youth Panel - Middlesbrough Football Club Foundation (16-24 Year olds)
Middlesbrough Council
Our values are at the heart of everything we do at Middlesbrough Council. We're passionate about our people, our work, and our residents.
North York Moors National Park
Our vision is that everyone should be confident to visit and enjoy our National Parks. This means that everyone can receive the health and wellbeing benefits of spending time in National Parks and has the knowledge to help protect them.
North York Moors National Park Youth Voice
RSPCA
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) is a charity operating in England and Wales which promotes animal welfare. The RSPCA is funded primarily by voluntary donations.
Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council
To contribute to the success and improvement of the school by providing strategic leadership, supporting and challenging the headteacher, and ensuring that every child receives the best possible education. As a governor, aim to uphold integrity, accountability, and inclusivity, working collaboratively with staff, parents, and the community to create a safe, inspiring, and high-achieving learning environment.
Teesside Hospice
Our vision is that we are there for everybody who needs us. We want to change the way our society and healthcare systems care for people with a terminal illness and ensure that local people get the very best care at the end of their life. Our mission is to complement other services by leading the development of new ways of working and delivering hospice care that meets the needs of those at the end of their life today and those in the future, whatever their needs might be.
Volunteer Coffee Shop Assistant
Inpatient Meal Time Support Volunteer
Volunteer Office Assistant – Teesside Hospice
Reception Volunteer – Teesside Hospice
Volunteer Lymphoedema Receptionist by Teesside Hospice
Maintenance Volunteer by Teesside Hospice
Young at Heart CIC
Young At Heart ULO CIC aims to provide regular opportunities for people living with dementia and their care partners to meet and develop support networks in a safe and friendly environment, to take part in a variety of engaging opportunities and to access a range of engaging and meaningful activities to holistically support quality of life.
Digital Media Support Volunteer
Events & Fundraising Support Volunteer
Blog Content Creator (Dementia & Care
Dementia Carer Listening Support Volunteer
Dementia Activity Group Volunteer
Zarach
Our mission to end child bed poverty, giving children the opportunity to engage at school, and a chance to break the cycle of poverty.
Family Engagement Volunteer By Zarach
Volunteering Support
If you have any questions regarding volunteering, creating a profile or using the platform, please email volunteering@tees.ac.uk and we can arrange a convenient time to meet. During the second semester we will be hosting roadshows and find your futures sessions. If you see our stall, do stop by for a chat.
If you would like to find out more, take a look at the articles we produce, it is always lovely to shine a light on the things we have been involved in.
Have a lovely day
Kate, Jayne and Lindsey
The Volunteering Team
Related Opportunities
Be a Surplus Food Collector