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Opportunity details

Open SU

Open SU logo

SiSE Hoot Newsletter Volunteer 2026

18 May 2026 23:59 - 28 Feb 2027 23:59

Closing date for applications is 10 May.

Click here to login to our website / register for a website account in order to apply for this opportunity.
In this fully online role, you will be part of a small team of volunteers and Open SU staff to create, edit and shape a printed newsletter that shares relevant and supportive information for Open University students in secure environments.

The SISE Newsletter is a printed publication, issued twice a year (March and September), for Open University students studying in secure environments. It shares encouraging stories (often submitted by SiSE students themselves), practical information, and student-focused content to help readers feel connected to their Students Union and the wider student community. 

We’re launching a pilot project and would like to welcome current students who are interested in writing, creating content and editing to support the development of the SISE Hoot Newsletter alongside a dedicated team of Open SU staff. These roles will be reviewed at the end of the pilot in February 2027.  

Do you enjoy volunteering behind the scenes?

These roles offer a genuinely altruistic opportunity in which your contributions make a meaningful impact without public recognition. Due to the nature of the positions, your identity will remain confidential, and individual contributions to the newsletter won’t be publicly credited. However, you’re welcome to include your work in a portfolio, and we’d be happy to verify your authorship if needed. 

We would love to have you on board to help us develop this exciting opportunity, one that makes a meaningful impact for students in secure environments, while also enabling our student volunteers to build valuable practical skills that will support their future endeavours. 

There are two roles available:

1. Volunteer Content Editors
support the quality and accessibility of the Newsletter by editing and reviewing content to ensure it is clear, inclusive, and suitable for the intended audience. 

Role Description: 

  • Attend regular working group meetings with volunteers and Open SU staff to share ideas, plan activity, and agree actions  

  • Review and analyse feedback from SiSE students to improve accessibility   

  • Lay out newsletter content using agreed templates e.g Canva (support and training will be provided).

  • Edit and proofread articles for clarity, tone, consistency, and accessibility 

  • Provide clear, constructive, and supportive feedback to contributors 

  • Support the overall structure, flow, and coherence of each issue 

  • Follow editorial standards, institutional policies, and safeguarding guidance 

  • Meet agreed deadlines 

2. Volunteer Content Creators support the quality and diversity of the Newsletter by researching, sourcing/requesting, creating and reviewing content to ensure it is clear, engaging, inclusive, and suitable for the intended audience.

  • Attend regular working group meetings with volunteers and Open SU staff to share ideas, plan activity, and agree actions 

  • Review and analyse feedback from SiSE students to help shape content and priorities 

  • Develop engaging content by researching topics, identifying sources, producing content, and collaborating with internal and external contributors 

  • Actively support diverse voices by inviting, encouraging, and guiding contributors 

  • Promote opportunities to contribute and help build engagement within the SiSE community 

  • Organise and save unused material for possible future use 

  • Support the overall structure, flow, and coherence of each issue 

  • Follow agreed editorial standards, institutional policies, and safeguarding guidance 

  • Meet agreed deadlines 

Eligibility requirements:

  • Open University student and member of the Open SU. 

  • No previous experience required just a willingness to learn and take part.  

  • Candidates applying for this role must be available to attend biweekly online project meetings (usually one hour long), held between 2pm and 4pm on Mondays.

This role is fully online - you just need access to the internet.

If you have any questions, please contact our team at oustudents-belonging@open.ac.uk. 

This opportunity will close at 23:59 on Sunday, 10 May, 2026.

Benefits to self

Develop editing and communication skills Gain experience working on a printed publication Build confidence giving constructive feedback Enhance employability and your CV

Benefits to others

Supports students in secure environments Provides positive, relevant student community content Helps reduce isolation and encourage engagement

Hours per week

1-2

Training available

All training is delivered online via MS Teams, all volunteers are supported to complete Core Volunteer Training and Role Specific training.

Location

Online

DBS required

No
  • ActivityOnline

Employability skills

  • Communication - Core skills and competencies 0
  • Collaboration - Core skills and competencies 0
  • Digital and information literacy - Core skills and competencies 0
  • Initiative - Personal attributes and behaviours 0

Thank you for your interest in this role – you will receive an email with a link to the application form and instructions on how to apply.

In addition, please ensure you add oustudents-volunteer@open.ac.uk to your safe senders list as you will be receiving emails at various points during your volunteer term (as otherwise your messages may end up in your junk folder).

If you have any queries regarding the role or application process, please contact oustudents-volunteer@open.ac.uk and we will be happy to help.

Confirmation

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© Open SU (OU Students Association)

Charity number: 1183837/SC049546
Company number: 12031028
Address: PO Box 397, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes MK7 6BE
Email: su@open.ac.uk

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