Service Learning- Service in the Community

Course Description

Service-learning combines academic coursework with voluntary work in the community, to help you experience policy in practice. It is part of the Public Policy Honours curriculum, and an accredited course for visiting students.

What is involved for visiting students?

• one academic course in semester 1: Service in the Community (20 credits) 
• 8 week placement, 6 hours per week, in a welfare agency in Glasgow
• assessment: 3,000 word reflective journal

Placement Opportunities

Service-learning combines academic coursework with voluntary work in the community, to help you experience policy in practice. It is part of the Public Policy Honours curriculum, and an accredited course for visiting students.

All placements are for 8 weeks, 6 hours per week, in Glasgow-based welfare agencies. Subject to availability, you can choose to volunteer in the following areas:

Physical care

• Care for terminally ill people in a hospice, or be involved in fundraising and other activities that do not involve contact with patients. A completed application form and two references are required.
• Give personal and nursing care to the frail and elderly in a care home.

Elderly people

• Help to encourage social interaction and activities designed for physical and mental stimulation by providing support to frail, vulnerable and at risk elderly people.

Children and young people

• Assist a teacher in the classroom in a special education needs school for children aged 5 to 12 years.
• Be a play worker, or work in the nursery in an after school hours recreation club for children and young people.
• Assist a teacher in a mainstream secondary school classroom.

Women's issues

• Help with catalogues, archives and general running of a library which is for and about women.
• Give support to women through individual or group work, telephone, letter, email, offering links to complementary therapies.

Disability

• Support people with physical disabilities to help them live the life of their choice, and to increase their self-confidence and self-esteem. Activities include swimming, computing, arts and crafts, light woodwork, jewellery making, writers' workshop, sculpture group, cookery class and aromatherapy.
• Help to provide recreational, educational and social therapy to people with physical disabilities and sensory impairments.
• Assist in horse riding for disabled people, and the care and grooming of the horses. NB Previous horse riding experience is essential.

Employment

• Help long term unemployed people return to work through various projects organised by a private company.
• Be part of a film company working on community based projects.

Helping the disadvantaged

• Alleviate the effects of poverty by helping to obtain, refurbish and distribute furniture and other essential household items.
• Help to provide meals, hot drinks and chat to the homeless, poor and disadvantaged.

Social help and guidance

• Be an advocate for asylum seekers; give advice on local services; and help in a centre for social interaction.
• Give housing and other welfare advice and help to refugees and asylum seekers.
• Offer advice on citizenship rights and welfare benefits. Essential training is given.
• Help in operating the 'meals on wheels' service, running tea bars and trolleys within large hospitals, operating clothing stores for individuals in needs and providing 'Buses on Wheels' delivery to housebound clients.