Five DegreePlus Voluntary Work units will be available for the forthcoming academic year
Note: When registering for a Volunatry Work unit you are also requested to fill the online form to choose where you wish to perform your work. This needs to be filled in addition to the eSIMS form.
Contact Details:
Ms Edith Boffa
Email
Further Information:
The objective of the ‘voluntary work’ stream is to sustain the ‘voluntary’ spirit that also instills values in participants that go beyond those that they encounter in other areas in their lives. It aims to promote voluntary work during the participants’ time at University. This seeks to give participants the opportunity to involve themselves in a voluntary work project in order to achieve:
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people and social skills
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team work skills
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ability to plan and manage small scale projects
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skills to help participants analyse social realities in Malta
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experience which makes participants more employable in the future
Training Session/s: Students are required to be present at a two hour briefing session at the start of the voluntary work project. If additional training is necessary, due to the specific requirements of the organization, then the participant would be expected to attend.
Log book: Participants will be required to submit a log book of their attendance at the placement to obtain recognition under the Degree Plus programme.
Content: Every student is required to undertake 20 hours of participation evenly spread out during a semester, at least 10 of which must be direct contact hours with either people or the environment, in a project in one of the below areas.
Categories: The following categories will be offered:
- 1A Children: Sacred Heart Junior School, St Julians
Students who would like to help with basic literacy skills in years 1 and 2 during school hours 8.30am to 2.30pm.
- 1B Children: Young People’s Unit, Mount Carmel Hospital, Attard
To organize and coordinate animation for the children after school hours until 5pm.
- 1C Children: Valletta Community Network - After School Project
Helping children with their homework after school between 2.30 – 4.00pm, in Valletta.
- 2A Young People: Centru Zghazagh Balzan
This placement involves organising and animating youth meetings, fundraising activities, helping in the preparation of the liturgy, administration work and refurbishment of the premises. Date and time to be discussed with the youth leader.
- 2B Children: Zghazagh Haddiema Nsara, Floriana
Students will be involved in the organization and running of weekend experiences based on the revision of life method (See, Judge, Act) on which the international ZHN movement is based upon. Appropriate training will provided by ZHN. (Dates and time to be discussed with leader)
- 3A Elderly: Little Sisters of the Poor, Ħamrun
Volunteering with the elderly entails helping with the daily chores such as serving meals and kitchen help. It may also include direct care of the elderly, help with house maintenance and also animation for the elderly such as tombola, quizzes and singing. Date and Time: to be discussed.
- 4A Refugees : Dar Qawsalla, B’Kara
This option mainly involves organising interactive activities, animation and helping children with their homework. Weekdays: from 5-7pm. Students choosing this placement are advised to get the TB and Hep B immunization unless they have already been vaccinated.
- 4B Refugees: Dar Is-Sliem, Sta Venera
Students can join young volunteers from Caritas in coordinating a programme of activities for young people (Ages 14 – 17). Meeting once a week in the afternoons. Students choosing this placement are advised to get the TB and Hep B immunization unless they have already been vaccinated.
- 5A Disabled Persons: Ir-Razzett Tal-Hbiberija, M’Scala
Students who can offer their services to help people with physical or intellectual disabilities. These services include: pottery, life skills, therapeutic horse riding, arts and crafts, multi-sensory therapy, computer sessions and human animal interaction. (Days and times to be discussed with organization)
- 5B Disabled Persons: Step by Step Foundation
Volunteers helping in this area will be required to assist children with mental impairments, through exercises aimed at improving their abilities. These may involve up to five persons, depending on the child's ability. In just a few months, children have learnt to crawl, talk and even walk. Placements are available in different places around Malta. Hours: Weekdays: after 4pm or Saturday morning.
- 6A Persons experiencing psychological or mental health difficulties: Richmond Foundation
Volunteers will assist in coordinating programmes of life skills, entertainment and activities at: (i) Villa Chelsea, B'Kara, (ii) Home Support Service (clients are supported in their own home) and (ii) 'Never Mind' Leisure Centre at St Augustine Centre, Valletta (meeting every Monday between 5 – 7pm).
- 7A Persons experiencing Illness: Hospice Movement, Balzan
Students can assist patients at the Day Therapy and Hydrotherapy Units, 9 - 12pm. They can also accompany patients on their trips to and from Boffa Hospital outpatients, 8 - 1pm. Volunteers can share their skills in various crafts with patients, 10 - 12am. They can plan and organize fundraising activities.
- 8A Pro-Environmental Initiatives: Nature Trust Malta
This placement involves assisting in weeding, repotting, planting, watering grass cutting and rubble wall restoration. It may also include helping out in environmental research. This will either be in Wied Ghollieqa, (the valley near University) or Lija nursery. Meetings: weekdays 2.00 – 4.00pm or Saturdays 9.00 – 12.00pm.
- 8B Pro-Environmental Initiatives: Flimkien Ghal Ambjent Ahjar
Students who are interested in heritage, sustainable development and health issues and are willing to undertake short-term research projects. Ex. An analysis of the effectiveness of CVA traffic and parking system introduced in Valletta in 2007: are more people using public transport than before? Did the system have any impact on the air quality in the environs of Valletta? Students can also put forward their project ideas within this field of interest.
- 9 Other: (more details required)
If students are already doing voluntary work with other organizations that fall under the above categories, they can apply with their chosen organization subject to approval by the Degree Plus Voluntary Work Committee. Email us for further details
Note: If the organisations mentioned above are overbooked, students can be referred to other
When registering for a Volunatry Work unit you are also requested to fill the online form to choose where you wish to perform your work.
