Our Graduation Stall Volunteers form part of a team attending the Association merchandise stall at OU graduations. Apart from engaging with excited graduates, their families and friends, and promoting and selling a wide range of fabulous OU branded merchandise to graduates, volunteers have an opportunity to take an active part in this special day by processing and celebration each graduate. You need to have less than £70 travel expenses for the day and give up one day of your time on the stall.
Apply now for Graduation Stall Volunteer
Graduation Stall Volunteer (2024)
Would you like to gain teamwork and retail skills whilst having a memorable day with fellow #OUstudents celebrating at their graduation ceremony? Then apply for the role of Graduation Stall Volunteer and be the face of the OU Students Association at venues across UK and Eire.
On the day of the ceremony you’ll provide a service that is greatly valued by students and the University alike.
You'll be part of a small team led by a volunteer Graduation Stall Coordinator, selling OU and Association merchandise at our stall. Whilst working the stall you get the chance to catch up with graduates and their guests, while promoting the work of the Association.
On the day volunteers will help set up the shop stall, process payments, ensure that the relevant paperwork is completed, monitoring sales and process manual orders. Be part of the graduation experience – all whilst making connections with the graduates on their day and helping them celebrate!
Volunteering is available at:
Friday 20 September 2024 in London, Barbican Centre
Saturday 21 September 2024 in London, Barbican Centre
Friday 27 September 2024 in York, Barbican
Friday 11 October 2024 in Brighton, The Dome
Friday 18 October 2024 in Newport, ICC Wales
Friday 18 October 2024 in Dublin, Croke Park
Friday 25 October 2024 in Glasgow, Royal Concert Hall
Saturday 26 October 2024 in Birmingham, Symphony Hall
Friday 8 November 2024 in Manchester, Bridgewater Hall
Friday 22 November 2024 in Poole, Lighthouse
You can apply to volunteer for one or more then graduation ceremony.
Commitment and recognition
Training is mandatory and commences in February 2024.
You will be asked to complete online self-study training that takes about an hour. This includes the core training module for all our volunteers which covers:
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GDPR (keeping personal data secure)
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Safeguarding (keeping young people and vulnerable adults safe)
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PREVENT (our duty to prevent extremist radicalisation)
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Equality Duty (Why it is important and who it protects)
It also includes a training module for both Graduation Stall Coordinators and Graduation Stall Volunteers for your role.
You will then attend one 90 minute MsTeams training session and meet your team (there is a choice of morning, afternoon or evening) a few weeks before the day.
You will be sent a link and sign up to the free Volunteer SLACK app so that venue details can be communicated to you and other Graduation Stall Volunteers.
Only trained and onboarded Coordinators and Volunteers are selected for the venue’s Graduation Stall team.
After the ceremony you will be asked for your feedback and to complete your expenses form for travel and subsistence for the day and remind your team to do likewise. You will receive a goody bag by post. You can request a ‘certificate of volunteering’ after volunteering.
Eligibility for this volunteer opportunity
To apply we recommend you live within 50 miles from the graduation venue as you can claim up to £70 in travel and £20 for subsistence expenses.
Please note that no overnight accommodation is paid.
You just need to be a member of the Students Association or be an OU Alumnus who has graduated within the last five years.
Members of the Students Association are defined in Section 11 of the Students Association Articles of Association*
All volunteers sign a OU Students Association Volunteer Policy and volunteer within the OU Students Association Volunteer Agreement.
Benefits to self
Develop teamwork/retail skills. Have a chance to speak to other students about their journey and make new friends whilst volunteering! Experience an inspirational day to further motivate your study.
Benefits to others
Providing goods/services for students to promote pride in being identified as OU students.
Hours per week
10 hours across the ceremony day
Training available
Mandatory online MsTeams training session lasting 90 minutes and mandatory self study online essential reading for your role and core training for all volunteers (1hr)
Location
London, Poole, Manchester, Belfast, Ely
DBS required
No