Act Sustainable Action Award

In the ‘Act’ section you will be demonstrating your awareness of sustainability by undertaking actions with a sustainable focus . As you do this, you will be making a difference not only to your own development but also to your local community and wider world . There are many possibilities to build up your hours in this section and we have given a few possible suggestions below (although please make sure you are following the guidelines of your visa if appropriate).

Paid Work or Internships with a Sustainable Focus

UROP (Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme)

The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme (UROP) offers undergraduate students (within the middle years of their degree) the chance to gain hands-on research experience on projects covering all disciplines across University. Our research projects last six weeks over the summer break, or can be part-time over a longer period, and those involved with the scheme will receive a bursary. Each year there are a number of UROP projects with a sustainable focus, so make sure you keep a look out for these between February and April when applications are open.

RIS (Reading Internship Scheme)

If you are looking for paid, professional work experience and the chance to develop your transferable skills, the Reading Internship Scheme could be for you. The scheme is exclusive to University of Reading undergraduate students and gives you the opportunity to undertake a 4 – 8-week paid internship with professionals. The Reading Internship Scheme team source internships for you, and upload these onto My Jobs Online for you to apply for. Look out for internships with a sustainable focus whether that be the organisation hosting the internship or the role itself!

Campus Jobs

With three bustling campuses, the University of Reading offers plenty of opportunities for you to work part-time during your studies. Campus Jobs is a one-stop shop for all temporary work at the University, providing part-time opportunities that are safe and secure. Seeking out a potential role with a sustainability focus would add to your activity hours for the award.

Volunteering

Reading Students' Union (RSU) opportunities

Reading Students' Union organises lots of volunteer opportunities to support you in giving back to the local community whilst also providing a great opportunity to make friends. Below are some specific volunteering opportunities that you may wish to look into:

Green volunteers: A new project where students help to tidy up some of the roads around campus, giving you a great opportunity to get involved with the local community.

Student Eats Garden: By being a part of this society you can get involved in growing your own food AND you do not need to have any experience. Once the hard work is over, you are encouraged to relax in the garden and maybe take some fresh vegetables home to eat (depending on supply/minimal volunteering commitment).

There are also one off volunteering opportunities and you can keep up to date on these by signing to the volunteering newsletter.

Also, don’t forget if you are a committee member of a society or student-led project, with a sustainable focus this can also be counted as part of your activity hours.

Fairtrade Auditing

The University of Reading is Fairtrade certified. Every two years it requires to be audited by its own students to check it still meets the Fairtrade criteria. This volunteering opportunity involves 6 hours of your time (including training) and you would be working with a small team of 2-4 other student auditors. For further details, contact Mark Laynesmith (co-chair of the University Fairtrade steering group).

Reading Voluntary Action (RVA)

Reading Voluntary Action is a local organisation that supports voluntary organisations to find volunteers. They regularly have over 100 live opportunities so head to their website to search for opportunities as well as sign up for their weekly newsletter. As well as advertising ongoing opportunities, Reading Voluntary Action also promote ‘one-off’ volunteering opportunities such as helping out at one-off events.

Doing #UoR Bit App

The Doing #UoR Bit app will reward you for becoming more sustainable as you earn points to win prizes! Although downloading the app is not an activity in itself that can gain you hours for the Sustainable Action Award, it may help you find volunteering opportunities and give you some extra accreditation for actions to take to be more a more sustainable individual.

Are these my only options?

This is not an exhaustive list, other areas you may like to get involved in could be around activism and fundraising, within legal parameters. We would also encourage you to think of other opportunities you are interested in order to build up hours for the award. If you would like to confirm your potential activity is eligible to complete this award please do contact the RED Team.

Once you have completed your activity you will be able to keep track of what you have done by submitting an entry within your ‘Pathway’ on MyJobsOnline. At this point you will also be asked to map your ‘Act’ activity alongside the United Nation Sustainable Development goals to reinforce your understanding and learning. For more information take a look at Get Started.