Charity and RAG

CURRENT STUDENTS

Giving to charity is something that is very prominent here at Catz, whether that is in the form of volunteering, campaigning or fundraising. We are very lucky to have many of these opportunities right at our doorstep and some inspiring people to help us along the way.

Information on the opportunities out there and how to get involved, and up to date information about events going on within Catz and the University, will be posted on the JCR facebook or circulated by email.

For more information contact the JCR Charities officer (jcr.charities@caths.cam.ac.uk)

We would love you to start your own charitable society or fundraiser if you have any more ideas or we don’t already have what you are looking for!

Raising and Giving (RAG)

Cambridge RAG (Raising and Giving society) is one of the most popular charitable societies. RAG puts on some of the biggest events in Cambridge including a Blind Date event in February, escaping Cambridge in Jailbreak as well as our own College based event such as a family formal dinner, and events in our new college bar! For more information and to get involved on a college level (more people are always welcome!!), get in touch with Salomé Gakwaya (JCR Charities officer) or check out the RAG website.

Getting involved!

Our Impact

Over the 23/24 academic year we have contributed over £500 to causes our community care about:

Terrence Higgins Trust - £50
Local Giving - £100
Cambridge Rape Crisis Centre - £100
Chase Africa - £57
International Planned Parenthood Federation - £50
Cambridgeshire Wildlife Trust - £53
Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund - £40
British Red Cross - £50
Medical Aid for Palestinians - £57

Charitable societies

There are so many great charitable societies to get involved, including:

Effective Altruism Cambridge: a local chapter of Effective Altruism: a community of people interested in figuring out how to use our resources to help others as much as possible (for more information see their Facebook page)
May Week Alternative (MWA): one of Cambridge’s biggest student charity movements that combines a positive philosophy for effective giving with celebration. (for more information see their website)
One for the World: a global student movement educating people about effective giving and motivating them to pledge at least 1% of their income towards ending extreme poverty. (for more information see their Facebook page)
Pink week: a week of events (1st-7th February 2021) dedicated to raising money and awareness for breast cancer charities (for more information see their instagram and facebook)
Student Community Action (SCA): SCA is an independent charity, which recruits and places student volunteers from the University of Cambridge and Anglia Ruskin University in any one of dozens of projects in Cambridge, including befriending the elderly, working with young children as well as teaching English as a second language (for more information see their website.)
Student Minds Cambridge: the Cambridge branch of Student Minds, the UK’s student mental health charity. We empower students and members of the university community to look after their own mental health, support others and create change. (for more information see their website)

These are only some of the charitable societies at Cambridge! For a full list see the SU website.

Volunteering Opportunities

There are also plenty of volunteering opportunities at Cambridge, including:

Student Societies:

Cambridge Homeless Outreach Programme (CHOP): a student society that provides students with opportunities to fundraise and support people experiencing homelessness in the city (for more information see their Facebook page)
Streetbite: a student society practically helps the homeless in Cambridge, with various volunteering opportunities. (for more information see their Facebook page)
Student Action for Refugees (STAR): a student society that volunteers and supports local refugee projects, runs events and campaigns to improve the lives of refugees, and educate people about refugees and asylum seekers. (for more information see their Facebook page)
Student Community Action (SCA): a student society that organises volunteering opportunities for students, aiming to do social good while fostering a closer connection between students in Cambridge and the local community. (for more information see their Facebook page)

Charities and Organisations:

Cambridge Rape Crisis: *TW: rape*: Cambridge rape crisis supports victims of sexual abuse. Opportunities for volunteering as a helpline and/or email support volunteers, providing confidential emotional support via email and/or telephone to survivors of rape and sexual abuse. (for more information see their website)
Jimmy’s Cambridge: provides help to people experiencing homelessness in Cambridge, providing support, help and accommodation. (for more information see their website)
Nightline: a confidential anonymous service for students. (for more information see their Facebook page)

The Hub

Cambridge Hub is a student led community working as part of the national Student Hubs network. This aims to get more students involved in social, environmental and charitable activity. The Hub can point you to many exciting events and opportunities in sectors such as international development, the environment, community volunteering or social enterprise, going on in Cambridge.

To sign on to the weekly bulletin go to cambridgehub.org.

Cambridge Hub have also produced a “volunteer map”, shown below.

For more information, suggestions or any questions, please do get in touch with the charities officer, Salomé Gakwaya!