Whether you’re only just entering it or are already fully immersed, the much-discussed ‘Cambridge bubble’ does exist. Irrespective of your previous background, becoming a member of the University comes with a certain amount of privilege that is likely to have both a social and financial effect on your life afterwards, giving you chances that others might not have. The more idiosyncratic aspects of being at Cambridge, like colleges, supervisions and formals, make for a very student-centric existence, perhaps more so than at other universities. It’s sometimes easy to forget that things happen outside college walls. So, if you’re standing at the Freshers’ Fair with a bag full of free pens and pizza vouchers but have no real idea of what you want to do here, or you just want to breathe different air for a while, then volunteering is a great way to see another side of Cambridge.

I started volunteering in my first year primarily so I could help other people, particularly those in a less fortunate position. However, I also hoped that it would give me a break from the books piled up on my desk, a different perspective and focus. And it worked. Even if it’s just for an hour a week, doing some kind of voluntary work means that you can (at least temporarily) forget about deadlines, student union politics and the broken shower you’re trying to hide from your bedder. It doesn’t take up your whole life and result in all-nighters fuelled by Pro Plus and a series of threatening emails from your DoS. Instead, it allows you to meet new people from both inside and outside the university, often those you would be unlikely to come across otherwise. It allows you to utilise the skills you already have in exchange for developing new ones, such as adaptability, creativity and good communication. It can be challenging in a very different way from writing essays or sitting in lectures.

According to data collected by the National Union of Students (NUS) earlier this year, over 725,000 students volunteer in the UK, around 31 per cent of the student population. In addition to the support this offers to people that need it, and the skills gained by volunteers, student volunteering contributes around £175 million per year to the UK economy. 

Within Cambridge, volunteering is largely centralised and is easily accessible through the Cambridge Hub and Cambridge Student Community Action. Each has a website, a weekly mailing list and an office on Pembroke Street right in the centre of Cambridge, so finding opportunities to suit you isn’t difficult at all. Both of these organisations are specifically tailored to students in Cambridge, and they often offer one-off opportunities and projects that only operate in term time so that time constraints don’t have to be a barrier for students wanting to volunteer. Using organisations like these also ensures that there is a support network of other students within reach, so you are never on your own.

There are many types of voluntary work available in Cambridge, ranging from opportunities to help the environment, to working with children, the elderly, or with homeless people. Of course, volunteering could also involve doing something within your college or the wider university through the various societies and projects offered. Alternatively, there are opportunities available away from the university completely, through the Cambridge and District Volunteer Centre. Even if you are seriously pressed for time, there are ways you can help while having a cup of tea in your room, through microvolunteering websites like Help From Home.

Volunteering contributes to raising awareness of issues affecting the local area and wider community that we are part of as Cambridge students. It offers an education outside of studies and forges a mindset in which values can be questioned and reassessed. Student volunteering has a long history: as a group within society, we are known for organising events, raising money, and speaking out for others around us.

Volunteering is important. Be part of it.

This year's City Council Bonfire Night fireworks display is looking for volunteers with SCA to run the annual bucket collection. To find out how to get involved with this one-off volunteering opportunity, send an email to mail@cambridgesca.org, or sign up at http ://www . cambridgesca . org . uk/bonfire-night-collection.