Crankstart Scholar Support

Oxford Hub provides bespoke volunteering support for Crankstart Scholars, who are Oxford University students from low-income households.

Volunteering allows Scholars to participate within the Oxford community and increases their sense of agency. We support Scholars to find volunteering that they’ll love, will make a positive impact in, and will aid their personal development.

 

How does our Crankstart Scholar support work?

We provide holistic support so that Scholars reach their minimum volunteering requirement. Through 1-on-1 support sessions, events, and our wide range of volunteering programmes, we enable Scholars to build meaningful relationships with local members of the community and with each other.

The opportunity to volunteer as part of the Scholarship allows Scholars to participate within the Oxford community, build new relationships with people they would otherwise never have met and realise their potential for making a positive change in the world.

 
 

Scholar spotlight: How Volunteering benefits you

“For me personally, Oxford Hub has been fantastic… Not only have they succeeded in adapting volunteering projects to a cyberspace world but they have managed to do so in a way that’s accommodating to the stressed student and which also adds value to the CV as well as life itself. The sense of fulfilment that achieving social change and making a real impact brings is profound, and Oxford Hub is the perfect vessel to obtain it.”

Scholar spotlight: FELLOW

“I have really enjoyed volunteering with the Oxford Hub - it’s given me the chance to meet lots of new people out of the typical university bubble. Knowing I am playing a small part in making a positive difference is also really rewarding, and I enjoy meeting people of all ages and interests.”


Get involved as a Scholar

 

If you have any questions about the Scholarships, the volunteering requirements or Oxford Hub, reach out to the team at [email protected].

Volunteering

Join our programmes today to hit your volunteering requirement and make a real difference during your time at university.

We host personalised 1-on-1 support sessions to give you recommendations of volunteering that you’d enjoy and with the level of commitment you’d like. These can be in person, on Zoom or over email, with meetings lasting only ~20 minutes! Drop the team an email today at [email protected] to arrange a friendly 1-on-1 or get support via email.

Events

We have lots of events in term-time, such as showcases of our volunteering programmes and one-off volunteering events exclusive for Scholars. To stay up to date on our events check out our social media or our what’s on document!

Madeleine and another member of the Oxford Hub staff team at the Oxford University freshers fair 2021

 PROGRAMME FAQs

 

What is the volunteering requirement?

Each academic year, Crankstart Scholars are encouraged to complete 25 hours of volunteering, (though we encourage you to aim for 50)!


How do I volunteer alongside my studies?

25 hours a year is very manageable, with there being the fallback of volunteering over the summer if you don’t hit your hours in term. We recommend booking a 1:1 with our team to find something that works for your workload and timetable.


What counts towards my volunteering hours?

Guidelines for what does and doesn’t count towards the Crankstart Scholarship can be found on this webpage.


I’m struggling with volunteering/ don’t know where to start! What do I do? 

We’re here to help! You can email the team at [email protected] to get support with finding opportunities that work for you and your circumstances.


Accessibility

Oxford Hub is committed to making our activities inclusive to all members. We will make reasonable adjustments to application processes, training sessions, volunteering projects and other activities, and we pay back Scholars’ volunteering expenses such as bus tickets. If you have particular accessibility needs, including special educational needs, you can let us know what adjustments we can make to support you on the application form. Please email [email protected] if you have any questions.


How can I get in touch?

Contact the team at [email protected] for any support, questions, or a chat about everything Scholarship and volunteering!