About SCA

Introduction

Cambridge SCA exists to encourage the involvement of students in voluntary community work, providing services to disadvantaged groups within the community and giving students a valuable learning experience. We actively recruit students from both the University of Cambridge and Anglia Ruskin University.

We offer more than 70 volunteering opportunities. Ten of these projects are internally managed and known as “internal projects” since they cater specifically to the interests of Cambridge students; the other projects are run by a wide range of external organisations which we recruit for. Every year we find volunteering opportunities for over 300 students.

We are run by a student committee, a board of trustees (three of whom are from the student committee), and a body of College Reps. We also have two staff members who deal with the day-to-day running of the charity and are available to help you with any problems you encounter.

A new committee is elected every March. If you are interested in applying for a committee position, please contact the president during Lent term.

We provide great support for our volunteers, ranging from vulnerable adults training to first aid courses. We in turn are supported in providing training for you by fantastic organisations such as TeachFirst.

In addition to this SCA provides many opportunities to socialise – not only will you meet like minded people in your projects, but we also arrange formal swaps, football tournaments, club nights, talent contests, celidhs… the list goes on and on! Join our Facebook page to keep updated about what’s going on.

Brief History

Cambridge SCA became a registered charity in 1972 and has gone from strength to strength ever since. We’ve been described as the “most prominent” local student run charity in Cambridge and work with students from both Cambridge and ARU.

Aims and Objectives

Aims

Provide voluntary services to disadvantaged groups and encourage user involvement in the organisation
Involve students in voluntary community work and provide a valuable learning experience through this

Objectives

To provide a service for volunteers and clients e.g. through recruitment procedures, training for volunteers, good communication with volunteers and clients
To meet volunteering needs in the community
To help students find the correct volunteering placement for them
To ensure that the organisation provides equal opportunities for all
To raise awareness of student volunteering in Cambridge
To collaborate and form partnerships with other organisations, in furtherance of the aims of SCA