Volunteer Hub
Reclaim the Night Volunteer Steward Feb 2026 (SU)
Organisation Details
University of Manchester Students' Union Volunteering Team
Sub theme: Human and Civil Rights
Stellify Award: This opportunity is part of 'Make a Difference'
Description of role: Every year we hold a demonstration that brings hundreds of students and members of the public together in solidarity with survivors of gender-based violence.
On Thursday 12th February, we’ll be marching from the Students' Union to Great Northern and we’ll need volunteer stewards to make sure demonstrators are able to move safely through the streets.
The role of a steward is to walk along the outside of a march, ensuring the crowd is in an appropriate formation and doesn’t weave into the road. Stewards also keep an eye on demonstrators’ wellbeing, looking out for people in distress or in need of assistance and taking the appropriate steps to help them.
We may also need volunteers to help signpost or steward people to transport home after the march, as well as handing out megaphones, signs, and other things for the march. We may also ask stewards to support at the welfare point halfway.
The demonstration will have an accessible route, so this role is suitable for some disabled individuals, from whom we encourage applications. If you’re unable to, or don’t wish to, march along the route but would like to volunteer your time, please still apply and we will match you with a role at the Students’ Union building on the night or before the event.
The theme is around night-time safety and support – the aims of the march include a demand increased funding for street lighting in high risk and student areas across Manchester, and a comprehensive review of victim support pathways at UoM and the improvement of experiences for marginalised students (Global Majority, LGBTQ+, and disabled students).
You must be able to commit to 1 of the below training sessions and to the evening (from around 4pm – 9:30pm) on Thursday 12th February.
Training sessions:
- February 10, 5pm-6pm (hybrid online / Students’ Union building)
- February 12, 12 noon – 1pm (in-person)
On Thursday 12th February, we’ll be marching from the Students' Union to Great Northern and we’ll need volunteer stewards to make sure demonstrators are able to move safely through the streets.
The role of a steward is to walk along the outside of a march, ensuring the crowd is in an appropriate formation and doesn’t weave into the road. Stewards also keep an eye on demonstrators’ wellbeing, looking out for people in distress or in need of assistance and taking the appropriate steps to help them.
We may also need volunteers to help signpost or steward people to transport home after the march, as well as handing out megaphones, signs, and other things for the march. We may also ask stewards to support at the welfare point halfway.
The demonstration will have an accessible route, so this role is suitable for some disabled individuals, from whom we encourage applications. If you’re unable to, or don’t wish to, march along the route but would like to volunteer your time, please still apply and we will match you with a role at the Students’ Union building on the night or before the event.
The theme is around night-time safety and support – the aims of the march include a demand increased funding for street lighting in high risk and student areas across Manchester, and a comprehensive review of victim support pathways at UoM and the improvement of experiences for marginalised students (Global Majority, LGBTQ+, and disabled students).
You must be able to commit to 1 of the below training sessions and to the evening (from around 4pm – 9:30pm) on Thursday 12th February.
Training sessions:
- February 10, 5pm-6pm (hybrid online / Students’ Union building)
- February 12, 12 noon – 1pm (in-person)
Skills / qualities associated with the role: Customer Service, Oral Communication Skills
Are volunteer expenses available?: No
Duration of role: One day / week only
Start date:
End date:
Opportunity times: Thursday Evening
DBS required: Off
Can reasonable adjustments be made regarding additional needs?: Yes
Minimum hours commitment: 1hr training and the march itself
Location:
University of Manchester Students' Union
Manchester
M13 9PR