February may be short, but it has certainly been packed! Love was in the air for Student Volunteering Week, AI characters tried to redesign our personalities, chocolate supplies are dangerously high, and many of us are bravely giving up our favourite things for religious festivals (we believe in you!). As we are writing this, blue skies have made a comeback, and we see lots of positivity around campus.
Volunteering is such a great chance to meet new people, build skills, boost your CV, and make a genuine difference. Look at our February newsletter to find out what we have been up to, what is coming up and new opportunities to try.
In this Newsletter:
- Do Good, Feel Good
- Case Studies
- Volunteering Fairs
- Volun-cheers Awards
- Volunteering Opportunities
- Volunteering Support
Do Good, Feel Good
We had a fantastic time for the Do Good Feel Good Crisp Packet Project with Nitelight. Thank you to all the volunteers who helped to turn crisp packets into sleeping bags for the homeless.
Our next Do Good, Feel Good is a litter pick as part of the Keep Boro Tidy campaign with Middlesbrough Council. There is still time to sign up. We have had a great response so far and would love for you to join us. If you are new to volunteering, these events are a great way to meet new people and be supported by the volunteering team.
Do Good, Feel Good, Keep Boro Tidy Litter pick 26.02.2026
Case Studies
How wonderful it has been to shine a spotlight on four truly inspiring volunteers. A huge thank you to Jie, Veena, Hannah and Kennedy for agreeing to share their experiences as volunteering case studies.
Read all about their journeys here:
Careers and 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, exploring careers and volunteering opportunities, and learn how you can get involved. Don’t miss this chance to make valuable connections and take the next step in your volunteering journey or career.
Volun-cheers Awards
Plans have started for the annual Volun-Cheers Awards taking place on the 7th May!
NOMINATIONS ARE NOW OPEN Volun-Cheers 2026 Awards Nomination Form – Fill in form.
We would love you to take this opportunity to nominate an organisation or exceptional mentor who deserves to be recognised. The form has also been sent to all partner organisations, inviting them to nominate an outstanding volunteer (Could it be YOU?).
If you volunteer with an organisation, please feel free to give them a gentle nudge or resend the link, your contributions to the community truly deserve to be celebrated, and it is fantastic for our independent judging panel to have plenty to consider.
Finally, please remember to record your hours on the Volun-tees platform to ensure you receive the correct level of recognition. If you need any support with logging hours, we are very happy to arrange a one-to-one meeting to help.
Volunteering Opportunities
We have some great volunteering opportunities on the platform, please take a look.
Borderlands
Borderlands is a Creative People and Places project funded primarily by Arts Council England. We work to increase access to arts and culture, focusing on engaging areas of the lowest participation. We work collaboratively with local communities, emphasising co-creation, co-design, and community voice.
Boro Doughnut
To build a Thriving Middlesbrough through community action and collaboration using the Doughnut Economics model. Connect people together to take urgent action for a ‘Thriving Middlesbrough’ – To meet the needs of ALL people within the means of the living planet.
Researcher and Web/Social Media Creator
Edible Forest Garden and Allotment
Cleveland School Sport Partnership CIC
To inspire and enable all young people to lead active, healthy lives by supporting high-quality physical education, school sport, and physical activity through strong partnerships and inclusive opportunities.
Sports Development Volunteering
Coram
We train volunteers to go into local partner primary schools and help children grow a love of reading as readers get the best chance in life and every child deserves that.
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.
Ivison Trust
We believe parents and carers are and should be valued as partners in safeguarding children from exploitation outside the family.
KFC Youth Foundation
Empowering young people to fulfil their potential. KFC Youth Foundation is a national charity dedicated to empowering young people aged 8 to 25, particularly those facing societal challenges. Our Middlesbrough hub will be the first of its kind for KFCYF, and our goal is to provide a safe, supportive space where young people can access a variety of services and programs.
Male Youth Mentor Volunteer - Level Up Programme
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.
Literacy Pirates
We take children on voyages as readers and writers, and we’re on the lookout for volunteers to join the virtual crew.
Literacy Support Volunteer (virtual)
Middlesbrough Environment City
Middlesbrough Environment City empowers communities to live healthier, fairer and more sustainable lives. Through powerful, community-driven projects, practical education and supportive partnerships, we help build a society that cares for each other as well as the planet.
Middlesbrough Council
Our values are at the heart of everything we do at Middlesbrough Council. We are passionate about our people, our work, and our residents.
Neuthread
Mend It Don’t Rag It exists to challenge the idea that damaged or unwanted clothing should be thrown away. We believe that repair and reuse are powerful tools for reducing textile waste and protecting the environment. By fixing, adapting, and upcycling garments, we help keep clothing out of landfill and give it a longer, more useful life.
North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust
The Trust continues to strive for transformational service change and the way in which healthcare services are delivered to the people of Stockton-on-Tees, Hartlepool, Sedgefield and Easington. Volunteers are an integral part of helping us to deliver excellent healthcare as standard.
PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide
PAPYRUS exists to reduce the number of young people who take their own lives, by shattering the stigma surrounding suicide and equipping young people and their communities with the skills to recognise and respond to emotional distress. We believe that no young person should have to struggle alone with thoughts of suicide.
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.
Step Ahead Project
Our mission is to support families within Redcar and Cleveland with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) by creating a safe and inclusive space for everyone to socialise and interact. Our mission is also to educate and help support those navigating the SEND world.
Day to Day Operations Assistant
Stockton and Darlington Heritage Railway
Our aim is to promote, celebrate and educate communities, organisations and people about the Stockton and Darlington Historic route and the 200 years of railway history.
Heritage Hero Museum and Objects Reviewers
Student Wellbeing – Teesside University
We are committed to strengthening our communities by engendering a sense of belonging to the university community through the provision of services, activities, facilities and through working together with students, staff and external partners, to overall contribute to the wellbeing of people, places and planet.
Yes to Respect Campaign Volunteer
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
Lottery Promotions & Events Volunteer
Lottery Administrator Volunteer
Impatient Meal Time Support Volunteer
Tees Valley Wildlife Trust
We protect the wildlife where you live. We make our county a better place for local wildlife and people. We all know that wild places are under daily threat, as our towns develop and our countryside changes. Despite our successes, wildlife is still being lost at an alarming rate.
TS Volunteers
Open to all students offering a wide range of services and programmes, whether you are an elite athlete, want to try a new sport, play in a campus league, join a team or club, use the gym, volunteer in sport or try an outdoor activity. We offer the highest quality experience for you to get involved in sports during your student journey.
Volunteering Matters – Stockton on Tees
Volunteering Matters is the provider for the Volunteer Driving Service in Stockton-on-Tees which aims to bridge the gap for people unable to use public or patient transport. This may include people who have a disability or mobility issue, need to travel on routes not covered by public transport, financial restrictions or are uneasy about leaving their home. Stockton Volunteer Drivers Service will provide a lifeline to many local people, enabling them to access services and activities that could improve both their physical and mental health and well-being.
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.
Volunteering Support
If you have any questions regarding volunteering, creating a profile, recording hours or using the platform, please email volunteering@tees.ac.uk and we can arrange a convenient time to meet. If you see our stall, do stop by for a chat, we love getting to know you.
Have a lovely day
Kate, Jayne and Lindsey
The Volunteering Team
The AI craze got to us to…
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