Discover civic engagement and volunteering at St Edmund’s College
At St Edmund’s, our holistic, prevention‑focused approach to student wellbeing includes making it simple for students to discover meaningful ways to engage with the wider community. Civic engagement is a powerful way to build connections, develop new skills, and make a positive impact beyond the College.
Civic engagement can take many forms – volunteering, community action, local impact projects, or simply making a difference. In Cambridge, there are opportunities to suit every student. You might join a one‑off activity (often called micro‑volunteering) that fits easily around your academic commitments, or you may choose to work with a charity over several weeks or months, building relationships and gaining deeper insight into how the organisation operates.
Whether you’re looking for a small way to contribute or a longer‑term role that aligns with your interests, civic engagement offers a meaningful route to personal growth, community connection, and wellbeing.
The wellbeing benefits of volunteering
A national survey on volunteering shows that getting involved can significantly support student wellbeing:
- Improved mental health. Over three‑quarters of volunteers (77%) reported that volunteering improved their mental health and wellbeing (NCVO, 2019).
- Reduced isolation. Many volunteers experience social benefits and a stronger sense of belonging. Young people aged 18–24 (77%) and 25–34 (76%) are the most likely to say volunteering helped them feel less isolated (NCVO, 2019). Volunteering offers opportunities to meet new people and feel more connected to the Cambridge community.
- Career development. If you’re feeling stressed about career planning, volunteering can help you build your professional network, gain industry‑specific insights, and develop CV‑enhancing skills. The University’s Careers Service provides guidance on how volunteering can support your career goals.
- Mindfulness and balance. Volunteering can offer a refreshing break from academic work, sports, and societies. Many activities encourage mindfulness, provide grounding conversations, and help maintain a sense of calm.
- A deeper Cambridge experience. Cambridge is full of passionate, socially conscious people working to make a difference. Volunteering gives you the chance to experience the city holistically and gain insight into how our local community operates.
Find local volunteering opportunities
Browse local volunteering opportunities curated by our Student Civic Engagement Coordinator, below – each selected with St Edmund’s students in mind.
Alternatively, explore additional roles on Volunteer Cambs, a regularly updated database of volunteering opportunities across Cambridge.
Have questions?
Contact our Student Civic Engagement Coordinator at engagement@st-edmunds.cam.ac.uk for guidance on volunteering opportunities that support student wellbeing.
Volunteering opportunities
Brook Leys parkrun
Cambridge Carbon Footprint
Cambridge City Foodbank
Cambridge Convoy Refugee Action Group (CAMCRAG)
Cambridge Museum of Technology
Cambridge Nightline
Cambridge Past, Present and Future
Cambridge Rape Crisis Centre (CRCC)
Cambridge Refugee Resettlement Campaign (CRRC)
Cambridge Women's Resources Centre
Cambridge Sustainable Food
Cambridgeshire Libraries
Cam Valley Forums
Care Network
CB Mentoring
Citizens Advice
East Anglia Children's Hospices
Foodcycle Cambridge
Girlguiding
It Takes a City
Jimmy's
Language Centre (University of Cambridge)
Little Miracles
Museum of Cambridge
Newnham Scouts
Papworth Trust
Wintercomfort
Woodcraft Folk
Fundraising
Fundraising can be a fun, sociable, and healthy way to support charities. Two major annual events in the Cambridge city centre are the Town and Gown 10k race (every October), and Cambridge Half Marathon (every March). Both are very popular with students who wish to raise money for local, national, or international charities. If you’re not running, encouraging the charity runners is always appreciated by the organisations – you can even join an official charity cheer point and make someone’s day by cheering your heart out.
