Welcome Helpers

Loughborough University has a proud and strong tradition of students volunteering to support the overall student experience, as shown by the engagement with our hall committees and other student groups. The Welcome period at the beginning of the autumn term is vital to helping make Loughborough feel like home for the thousands of new students who arrive each year.

Welcome Helpers are students who have volunteered to support their hall move-in experience, working with the hall committee and Warden team to support on arrivals day and across the first week, helping give a great first impression and building the hall community. Feedback from students and the family/carers who supported them to move in during Welcome 2025 was incredibly positive about the contribution made by our student volunteers, with most family comments highlighting how much better an experience Loughborough offers compared to other institutions.

Apply now to become a Welcome Helper

Applications are now open for Welcome 2026, where students can choose to support their just hall of residence or to work flexibly supporting different halls as needed. Applications are co-ordinated by the Student Life team who are assembling a “thank you” package for helpers, with more details to follow. This is a great activity to add to your CV and perhaps give you a taste of what life on a hall committee would be like in case you had any interest in going for a role in the future.

You will need to be available from a couple of days before your hall move-in (exact dates to be confirmed) through to the end of the Welcome period, with varying amounts of hours needed from hall-to-hall based on numbers of volunteers. Please talk to your Hall Warden or the Student Life team for more information.

Involvement in Welcome Week Activities

  • To help organise and/or go on Hall-based activities within Welcome Week.
  • To assist at daytime and early evening in-Hall events on campus.
  • To encourage students to engage in Hall, University and Loughborough Students’ Union activities.
  • To welcome and engage with students who are not participating in activities or with their peers.

Creating a welcoming environment within your Hall of Residence

  • To welcome and support new students in a friendly and approachable manner.
  • To provide a reassuring presence for students and their parents and guardians on arrivals day.
  • To work as part of a team to support students with their arrival into Halls of residence.
  • To act as an ambassador for your Hall and Loughborough University.
  • To respond appropriately to the needs of new students.

Signposting and Awareness Raising

  • To promote the Hall, University and Students’ Union in a positive manner.
  • To distribute information about Loughborough University, Loughborough Students’ Union, and local services (including events, accommodation, clubs/societies, volunteering/fundraising, campus services, bus services, Loughborough Town Centre) to new students.
  • To explain how LSU works and encourage new students to get involved.
  • To be able to refer students to appropriate sources of information and advice.
  • To signpost students to locations and services on and off campus.
  • To raise any concerns to a relevant member of Hall Committee/University staff (such as your Hall Warden Team)/Loughborough Students’ Union staff.

Promotion of inclusivity, diversity, and equity within Halls of Residence

  • To create an environment of inclusiveness within your Hall of Residence.
  • To be respectful of diversity and target information and activities accordingly.
  • To promote equal opportunities.

Engage in preparatory training and briefings

  • To attend all relevant training and information briefings.
  • To engage with the online self-guided Welcome Week Helper and Committee Training prior to your arrival.

The following standards are expected of our Welcome Helpers:

  • The individual will always display the highest standards of integrity and honesty and will not abuse their position of responsibility.
  • The individual will observe high standards of punctuality.
  • The individual will not consume alcohol or any intoxicating substances whilst on any duty.
  • The individual will use their good judgement in situations.
  • The individual will be aware and respectful of equal opportunities and sensitive to diversity.
  • The individual will co-operate with their Hall Committee, Hall Warden team, other Loughborough University staff and Loughborough Students’ Union Staff as is reasonable.

Welcome Helpers experience the following benefits:

  • Early arrival into your halls of residence.
  • Temporary voluntary opportunity.
  • Building interpersonal skills that support employability (including building your verbal communication, teamworking and problem-solving skills).
  • Can broaden cultural awareness.
  • Sense of making a difference to individuals from carrying out a worthy role and gaining satisfaction in helping create a great student community amongst the new students.
  • Satisfaction of helping fellow students settle into university life and introducing them to Loughborough University!

Welcome Helper's code of conduct

If you have any questions about being a Welcome Helper, you can either speak to your Hall Warden or contact the Student Life team. Applications are open until 8th May 2026.