We understand in these difficult times that large numbers of students and staff want to volunteer and support their community.
You can keep yourself up to date with any new Covid-19 volunteering opportunities by signing up as a volunteer and visiting the Covid-19 section on our online platform. You can record your volunteering hours using our online form.
You can also find opportunities to volunteer from your own home here.
An urgent call to action from Surrey County Council to assist in making much needed PPE for our frontline workers; "appeal to skilled and talented people – from university students to business owners and seamstresses, who may be able to assist in producing personal protective equipment, such as gowns and masks". If Royal Holloway staff or students are able to help then look online for further details.
Our Social Action projects have been working hard to set up online opportunities for you to take part in. Holloway Notes are setting up an online choir with local disabled people, Sing-Along Surrey are organising a pen pal project for local elderly people and Silver Surfers are providing tech support for isolated people!
Royal Holloway Volunteering is working in collaboration with Voluntary Support North Surrey, who are assisting Runnymede, Spelthorne, and Surrey Heath Borough Councils to coordinate the community support response by Surrey County Council. There are 3 aims; to help those in need, to direct those who want to help, and to keep people connected with relevant information.
Voluntary Support North Surrey is looking to assist in recruitment of volunteers, guidance to local groups to ensure that volunteering takes place in a safe manner, and signposting residents to help when needed. Currently they are compiling a list of local neighbourhood groups and voluntary organisations that need volunteers to support people in crisis during this difficult time
You can sign up to become a community telephone buddy using our online platform.
Do you want to support your local foodbank? Our partner Runnymede Foodbank are providing critical support for local people during the Covid-19 pandemic and you can help.
You can donate supplies directly to the Foodbank, or while shopping in Egham Waitrose and the SU shop on campus. For a full list of the items they are looking for, or to find other ways of getting involved, have a look at the Runnymede Foodbank website.
You can also donate money to the food bank directly, if you would like to provide financial support in this difficult time.
Our community partner the Village Centre have a number of opportunities for people to volunteer in the Englefield Green area. They are actively participating with the Englefield Green mutual aid group, and you can find more details on their Facebook page or sign up online.
Support for students self-isolating on campus may be needed including; delivery of meals, food, and other requested items. If you are interested then please ensure you are registered as a volunteer on the Volunteering Platform so you receive news about any upcoming opportunities.
The Wellbeing team are currently recruiting volunteers to become virtual buddies, so you can sign up online to support isolated students on campus!
The Egham and Englefield Green mutual aid groups, as well as the Egham & Pooley Green Support group for students and staff living in Egham Hythe, are highly active.
Our friends at Insanity Radio have put together an excellent map that can help you find mutual aid groups in the local area. Get in touch with your local group and find out how you can get involved!
Our community partner the Forest Estate Community hub are running a host of online activities, helping people in the local community stay involved while keeping safe. These will include online craft sessions, gardening and general socialising! You can see their Facebook page to see some of the great things they have going on, and can contact Denise if you would like to take part!
NHS Volunteer Responders has been set up to support the NHS during the COVID-19 outbreak. To do this the NHS needs an 'army' of volunteers who can support the 1.5m people in England who are at most risk from the virus to stay well.
The main roles available are transport volunteers, for those who have their own cars, check in and chat volunteers for people who many be self-isolating, and community support volunteers.
At the moment, recruitment of new volunteers is currently closed. Check back online to see when they will become available.
If you would like to record your volunteering hours while you volunteer, sign up to the relevant opportunity on our online platform.
General Information
More general updates about the University’s response to the Coronavirus pandemic is available online. Please also keep an eye on the student intranet, your College email and social media @RHCampusLife
If you are volunteering on or off campus, particularly with individuals who are self-isolating, we recommend you follow the guidance issued by the NCVO:
- Support family, friends and neighbours by phone or video call
- Let family and friends know what you are doing and where you are going
- Stay at least two metres or about three steps away from people you’re helping
- Offer to run errands for people but stay outside of people’s homes
- Keep washing your hands, often, for 20 seconds
- Don’t take on too much as it’s often better not to offer at all than to let someone down
- If you’re trying to help someone with very serious issues then don’t be afraid to flag with appropriate statutory services
- If you are yourself a vulnerable individual, please take care and only engage in volunteering opportunities where you and the people around you are safe.
If you would like to learn more about Royal Holloway Volunteering, our community partners and student-led projects, please visit our website.
If you or a community group you are associated with are looking for funding, then you might be interested to know that the Community Foundation for Surrey have set up a Coronavirus Response Fund that you may be able to apply for. Please consult their website for more details.