At HELPS, we are very proud of our volunteer support from UTS students, staff, alumni and community.
Read more about volunteer opportunities at UTS HELPS.
Announcement: If you are looking to volunteer over summer and you're a confident English speaker, why not check out our Buddy Program? (see below for more information). To express interest in Conversations, Peer Advisor and/or TalkFest volunteering in Autumn 2020 please complete the volunteer sign up form. Questions? Email helpsvolunteers@uts.edu.au
For UTS students
Student volunteers contribute to the supportive and welcoming environment that we aspire to at UTS HELPS. As a volunteer, you help other students practise English speaking through the HELPS Buddy Program, participate in a global community at TalkFest, or as a Peer Advisor, assist with assignment support at our drop-in sessions. While you help others, you will also develop important graduate attributes like communication and leadership skills.
As little as 1 or 2 hours per week to do something really meaningful!
Volunteer Buddies
Meet with one or more international students weekly to help them build their confidence through conversation.
Helping overseas students in their transition to a new country can be an extremely rewarding experience. Whether you're looking to re-connect with your cultural background, take part in language exchange or you would just like to help, the UTS HELPS Buddy Program is home to many new friendships and wonderful learning experiences.
Meet with an overseas student for casual conversation for one hour, six times across a session. You will receive a certificate upon completion.
‘It's a unique opportunity to see Australia and Sydney through someone else's eyes and make friends in the process’
'Feel like maybe I understand just a little more about the world'.
For more information about being a volunteer buddy, refer to our Volunteer Buddy Guidelines.
For more information about the UTS HELPS Buddy Program, see the Buddy Program FAQs.
Interested in becoming a volunteer? Sign-up as a UTS volunteer here. You can register anytime.
Check out this 2 minute video which shows you step by step how to register as a volunteer.
If you have any enquiries or questions, feel free to send an e-mail to HELPSbuddies@uts.edu.au.
Peer Advisors
Help students who come to ask us advice on how to improve their assignments.
Share your ideas on how you research, plan and draft assignments. By helping others you can improve your own writing and editing skills. Training is provided before you start and throughout your time at HELPS. You don't have to be an expert, as long as you have experience at UTS writing assignments and you're willing to share and learn!
Peer Advisors really become part of our HELPS team through student support and promotional activity and demonstrated commitment is rewarded with a letter of recognition or reference.
‘The experience to bond with the university and help someone on their journey is wonderful’.
‘Incredible opportunity to assist peers and develop assignment skills. I believe this also improved my facilitation skills.’
Interested? Sign up at this Google form.
TalkFest Volunteers
Engage with students from across the globe; learn about their cultures, network with people you may not usually meet and deepen your understanding of diversity in Australia.
TalkFest is a free, fun-filled event that connects international students and volunteers to promote cultural exchange and develop confidence in group conversations. With regular commitment as a Talkfest Volunteer you will receive a letter of recognition or reference. Learn more about TalkFest here.
'So many barriers were broken down. I just can't recommend it enough'.
'I loved contributing to diversity in the UTS community, whilst breaking cross-cultural boundaries and learning about our blissfully complex world.
Interested? Sign up at this Google form.
For UTS staff
Want to do something meaningful for 1 or 2 hours per week? Become a HELPS volunteer and help us support international students while you broaden your own understanding of diversity and cross-cultural communication.
Many UTS staff have found volunteering with HELPS provides them with a relaxing and interesting break from their regular working week - it's like travelling the world without leaving Sydney!
Conversation Leaders
Facilitate casual conversation for 1 or 2 hours per week with groups of international students to help them build their confidence, meet friends and improve their skills.
‘It’s very enjoyable watching students improve and become more confident. It’s also a great way to learn more about a very wide variety of different cultures and languages.'
'I love seeing how a student's speaking confidence is quietly developing'.
Interested? Sign up at this Google form.
Staff Volunteer Buddies
As a Volunteer Buddy, you will meet with 1 or 2 international students for casual conversation and only need to commit 1 hour a week for 6 weeks, though many buddies decide to continue to meet after that once that friendship is formed.
Want to learn or improve another language? Some volunteer buddies take part in language exchange through the Buddy Program.
For others, it's a simple way to give back and help someone connect with UTS and the wider Australian community.
UTS Alumni and Community
Have you completed study at UTS and you're looking for an easy way to keep connected and give back?
Or perhaps you haven't studied with us but would like to be part of UTS and our mission to engage in meaningful cross-cultural experiences?
UTS HELPS provides an opportunity to do something meaningful for 1 or 2 hours per week. Become a HELPS volunteer and help us support international students while you broaden your own understanding of diversity and cross-cultural communication.
Many UTS Alumni and Community Volunteers have found volunteering with HELPS provides them with a relaxing and interesting break from their regular working week - it's like travelling the world without leaving Sydney!
Conversation Leaders
Facilitate casual conversation for 1 or 2 hours per week with groups of international students to help them build their confidence, meet friends and improve their skills.
‘It’s very enjoyable watching students improve and become more confident. It’s also a great way to learn more about a very wide variety of different cultures and languages.'
'I love seeing how a student's speaking confidence is quietly developing'.
Interested? Sign up at this Google form.
Community Volunteer Buddies
As a Volunteer Buddy, you will meet with 1 or 2 international students for casual conversation and only need to commit 1 hour a week for 6 weeks, though many buddies decide to continue to meet after that once that friendship is formed.
Want to learn or improve another language? Some volunteer buddies take part in language exchange through the Buddy Program.
For others, it's a simple way to give back and help someone connect with the wider Australian community.
All non-UTS volunteers are welcome to join the program! We have received wonderful feedback from overseas students who describe non-UTS volunteers as able to provide unique insight into Aussie culture and the Australian workplace. Learn about Bernie Sheehan's experience as an ABC buddy volunteer here.
For all non-UTS volunteers, sign-up as a volunteer here.