This event is sponsored by McLean Financial Services and Thank Evans.
The University of Aberdeen Volunteering Fair will be held on Thursday 20 February 2025 in Elphinstone Hall.
Quiet Half Hour is 11.00am - 11.30am. Admittance to the accessible session is reserved for those students who, for reasons including but not limited to disability, sensory issue or other conditions, would find attending the main Volunteering Fair challenging. Any queries regarding whether you are eligible to attend the accessible session should be directed to careers@abdn.ac.uk. Book your place on MyCareerHub.
General admission is 11.30am - 3.00pm (no booking required).
Whether you're looking for unpaid volunteering opportunities to give back to your community or hoping to connect with charity professionals to explore potential careers in the sector, this event is for you!
At the event all local organisations will be recruiting for voluntary positions. In addition all of the organisations hosting Interns with Impact internships (paid, full-time summer internships open to undergraduate students) will be available for you to meet and find out about their opportunities.
Connect with organisations dedicated to good causes including, working with children, working with animals, health and social care, the environment and within a variety of community settings. Find the perfect fit for your skills and interests.
Prepare for the Fair event - sign-up for this session to find out more about the fair and how you can prepare. Tuesday 18 February, 3.00 - 4.00pm, Students' Union Building. Book your place. Read top tips on how to make the most of the fair at the end of this page.
Information session on working in the third sector - during the fair, between 2.00 and 3.00pm, representatives of the Wood Foundation and SCVO will highlight the potential opportunities and benefits of voluntary work and graduate careers in the third sector. This event will be held in a room next to Elphinstone Hall. Book on MyCareerHub.
Organisations who are attending the 2025 fair
ABDN Interns with Impact internship host organisations are marked below with (IWI) after their name.
- Aberdeen Arts Centre
- Aberdeen Ethnic Minority Women's Group
- Aberdeen SANDS
- Aberdeen Science Centre (IWI)
- Aberdeenshire Sailing Trust (IWI)
- Aberdeenshire Voluntary Action
- ACVO
- ASPIRENorth
- Asthma and Allergy Foundation
- Bennachie Leisure Centre
- Big Noise Torry
- Cairns Counselling
- Camphill Estates (IWI)
- Cancer Research UK
- Charlie House (IWI)
- Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland
- Citymoves Dance Agency SCIO (IWI)
- Creative Spark Theatre Arts (IWI)
- Four Pillars
- Greyhope Bay (IWI)
- Home Start Aberdeen
- Instant Neighbour (IWI)
- King's Community Foundation
- LATNEM
- MISS
- NHS Grampian (Grampian Regional Equality Council)
- NSPCC
- Our Union Street (IWI)
- Oxfam
- Papyrus UK
- Paws on Plastic
- Rape Crisis Grampian
- Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance
- SensationALL (IWI)
- Social Juice
- Tarland Trails
- The Archie Foundation
- The Bread Maker Aberdeen (IWI)
- The Bridge (IWI) - a befriending service aimed at the elderly who require friendship
- The Haven in Stonehaven (IWI)
- The National Trust for Scotland
- The Period Place (IWI)
- Udny Community Trust
- We Too!
Top tips for making the most of the fair
- Plan your day/who you really want to talk to and give yourself plenty of time to speak to exhibitors. Avoid waiting at busy stands but use the time to speak to other exhibitors of interest and come back later.
- It is best to go around the fair on your own, rather than in large groups, so you can ask your own questions, and make an individual impression. Don't be content with listening into other conversations. Ask your own questions.
- Ask for the name of any representatives with whom you have a conversation, ask them if you can connect with them on LinkedIn and make contact with them after the event.
- Dress fairly smartly as this can help you to feel more confident and makes a good first impression.
- If you are not sure where to start when you arrive, then come and speak to us at the Careers and Employability Service stand first to give you time to settle any nerves and form a plan.
- Do some research on the organisations who will be attending the event and generally regarding working in the charity and voluntary work sector