University life brings with it many new experiences. As we begin this stage, we discover that a whole new and exciting world opens up before us, full of rights, but also of duties.
These duties are sometimes imposed by the universities, through individual or group work, mid-term exams, essays or research. At other times, these duties arise from the student’s own responsibility.
In many cases, this newly acquired freedom is used to help others. And for this, as for many other activities, the university is here to lend a hand and guide anyone who needs a little help.
Volunteering for students in Madrid
Although the Community of Madrid has a wide range of non-governmental organisations, projects and volunteers from outside the university world, including its own search engine, we are going to focus on the options offered by university entities.
This own search engine is available both online and in person, through information points on volunteering in the municipalities and associations of municipalities.
The reason for focusing on universities is very simple; simplicity. When it comes to managing any volunteering programme, being able to do so with a university institution, whether it is where you are studying or any other, makes the whole process much quicker, clearer and more effective.
These projects have been running for years and there is no one like these educational and social entities to guide all those who find solidarity a powerful tool in their daily lives.
Public Universities with Volunteer Programmes in Madrid
Universidad de Alcalá
This institution has an extensive programme of university cooperation for development, known as CUD, and a large section within university volunteering as such. The latter includes everything from basic training to be able to carry out volunteer work to collaborations with local entities and international projects. Don’t miss anything by subscribing to their newsletter.
Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
Its Solidarity Action and Cooperation office was created at the end of 2002 and since then we can divide its areas of action into two; on the one hand, the Volunteering, Cooperation and Solidarity Area and, on the other, the Training, Analysis and Studies Area. Thus highlighting the importance of the whole process of volunteering, from training to the analysis of its actions in order to create a greater positive impact in the near future.
In addition, it has a new programme for international humanitarian crises that is highly valued within the community both for its effect and its great organisation.
Universidad Carlos III de Madrid
UC3M volunteering, as they call it, is coordinated by the Sports, Activities and Participation Service (DAP because its Spanish abbreviation). Its volunteer programmes are both for the development and growth of society and for obtaining university credits. Whatever your goal, the university provides you with all the facilities and help you need thanks to its comprehensive national and international programme, as well as collaborating with external local entities.
Universidad Complutense de Madrid
The largest and most important volunteering programme of the Complutense University of Madrid is international volunteering, common to all public universities in Madrid.
The programme consists of sending students for three months to universities or non-profit organisations in African or Latin American universities subscribed to the programme in order to meet the aid objectives set out in the programme previously.
Universidad Politécnica de Madrid
This university develops its volunteering activity in clearly differentiated areas such as;
- Social: with volunteering in hospitals, nursing homes or helping homeless and elderly people in their own homes.
- Technological: Helping in the training of people at risk of socio-digital exclusion or supporting people with intellectual disabilities.
- Sports: With awareness-raising courses and the use of football with people with intellectual disabilities.
- Environmental: Volunteering in natural parks.
- Leisure and Tourism: Supporting and helping people with intellectual disabilities in these areas.
Universidad Rey Juan Carlos
Created in 2014, its Development Cooperation and Volunteering Unit has carried out both national and international actions, as well as creating a wide network of agreements and collaborations with non-profit organisations. It also has an interesting and important programme to help refugees.
Types of Volunteering
There are as many types of volunteering as there are needs. From helping people at risk of some kind of exclusion, to supporting people with physical or intellectual disabilities or helping refugees.
It is a sadly long list that needs the help of as many people as possible. However, if we want to make a more generalised distinction, we can say that there are three ranges when it comes to distinguishing a volunteer.
The first one is according to the time that the volunteer can dedicate to the activity. From this point of view, we can speak of occasional, continuous or holiday volunteering, which are those who carry out their activity while no classes are being taught.
The second one is according to the age range of the person or group we are helping; children, adults or the elderly. The third and last range is known as typology, and this is where the area in which you would like to volunteer comes in.