Grassroots Human Rights Project

About the project

The CAJ Grassroots Human Rights project focuses on educating young people in local state schools about their human rights. Through educating young people from underprivileged backgrounds on human rights issues around the world and at home, the project hopes to raise awareness about human rights and at the same time inspire them to pursue a university education in the future.

The issues covered range from broad questions like “what is a human right?” to more practical examples such as a person’s rights with regard to “stop and search” police powers and the right to education.

Student Volunteer Role

The Grassroots Human Rights Project is currently recruiting student volunteers to practice and deliver interactive, informative and age-appropriate human rights workshops to students ranging from Year 8 to Year 13. You will be assisted by the Grassroots Project Leaders in doing so.  These workshops will be centered on topics such as equality, the right to life, anti-discrimination, the right to education, and more.

Volunteers will facilitate discussions that encourage students to share their ideas, ask questions, and develop their understanding of human rights issues. They will collaborate with fellow volunteers and teachers to adapt workshop materials based on the needs of each school or class.

Currently, we have weekly workshops confirmed with three schools, for the following times: 

• School 1: Year 12 students, every Friday from 10^th Jan to 14th February from 1.40pm – 3.10pm.
• School 2: Year 12 students, every Thursday from 2nd January to 20th February from 1.30pm - 3.00pm.
• School 3: Year 12 Students, every Tuesday from Jan 7th to March 4th, from 2pm - 3pm. 

This role is suitable for those who want to inspire secondary school students to develop their awareness of human rights law, human rights issues, and social justice more broadly. 

Pro Bono Skills Development Framework  

The Centre for Access to Justice now offers all students engaged in extracurricular pro bono the opportunity to participate in the Pro Bono Skills Development Framework . This framework allows you to reflect on the skills gained during your placement, aligned with the Aurora Competence Framework. Completing it earns you a Certificate of Commitment to Pro Bono, acknowledging your dedication and skill development. Your participation will help you document and showcase the valuable competencies you've developed, however, please note that participation in the PBSDF scheme is entirely voluntary and will not affect your placement in any way. 

Please note that if you are completing the Grassroots Project as part of course requirements, you will not be eligible for the Pro Bono Skills Development Certificate. 

Notes on Training and DBS Checks

Successful applicants will need to undergo a volunteer training session and a Volunteering with Children module. They may also need to undergo a DBS check with the student enquiries service and student registry service. 

(1) Volunteer training sessions

Volunteers should attend one of the training sessions to be held in November, dates and times TBC. The training will be held virtually over Zoom.

(2) Volunteering with Children Training

Once selected, all volunteers will need to complete the Volunteering with Children training. This course includes new content about how to safeguard children and young people while delivering sessions. For this reason, all Project Leaders and volunteers will need to complete this new course, even if they have previously attended our face-to-face training. This is an online module and can be completed at any time. 

(2) DBS Checks

This project may require volunteers to undergo a DBS check which will be arranged through the Students Union. Please do not undergo the DBS process unless we have requested that you do so.

To begin your DBS check, you will need to email 3 forms of identification to slvpadmin@ucl.ac.uk. You can find guidance on the types of identification that we can accept, on our Project Leader Resources page. Once we have been emailed the correct identification, the volunteers documents will be checked via video link.

Usually, students will use a (1) passport, (2) UK driving license / BRP and a (3) UK bank statement/letter. Make sure at least one of your ID documents confirms that you live at the address to which you want your DBS certificates sent e.g. a utility bill or bank statement that goes to your hall or private rented accommodation. Keep in mind that the check is carried out by an external government agency and is not subject to any form of discretion by the Students Union UCLU staff; if you don’t comply with the documentary requirements you will not be able to pass the check and subsequently enter your school.

How to apply

 Applications for student volunteers are open. 

The deadline for submitting an application is 20th October 2024. Please apply via the online application form. 

When applying, please make sure you have completed the CAJ Equality and Diversity Monitoring Questionnaire. You only need to complete this once per academic year. 

Should you have any questions, please contact Annika Melwani at annika.melwani@ucl.ac.uk.