The Student Volunteer Army

Our programmes

  • The SVA online Skills Builder programme is focused on equipping primary school students with the skills they need to plan and run volunteer activities in their local communities on the student management system Hero.

    More on SVA Primary

  • Our nationally recognised framework for intermediate and secondary school students to log their volunteering hours and receive recognition for their contribution, whether it's within their school, whānau, or neighbourhood.

    More on SVA Service Award

  • Self-governed SVA Clubs based at seven tertiary institutions lead the way to combat societal gaps with initiatives that are not only accessible and inclusive but, above all, enjoyable.

    More on SVA Clubs

  • In times of crisis, SVA mobilises volunteers across our programmes and wider networks to support community needs.

    More on Crisis Response

Building the next generation of community

Born out of a student-led clean-up operation after the 2010 Christchurch earthquake, the Student Volunteer Army (SVA) is now a network of tens of thousands of volunteers driven by a desire to help their communities.

Every situation we commit to is an opportunity to put something right in the world. Through our programmes, rangatahi are empowered and enabled to change the world in front of them every day – whether it’s mowing a neighbour’s lawn or taking action to reverse the effects of climate change. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals underpins our work, providing a framework that connects individual volunteers to a global movement.

Thanks to support from our funders, partners and public donations, all our programmes are free for students and teachers to take part in.

Our impact

Find us on Instagram

@studentvolunteerarmy

"Helping my grandparents with their devices got me thinking about other elderly people who may be in the same boat. Devices like smart phones and laptops should make navigating our ever-increasing digital world easier, but for older people this
This year, International Women’s Day is all about inspiring inclusion. That’s inspiring others to understand and value women's inclusion, and inspiring women to be included with a sense of belonging, relevance and empowerment 🤗 It&rsquo
SVA at @waikatouniversity is all set up and ready to go, bringing our SVA Clubs total across Aotearoa to 7 😍 We're thrilled to have a club presence in the Waikato region - we know the students at both Hamilton and Tauranga campuses will do great t
“I am 16 years old and I live in Orewa with my Nan. I don’t attend regular school. Instead, I have an alternative education program, and part of that includes volunteering. I love animals, particularly dogs, and I love to swim in the sea.
Introducing another recent addition to the SVA Foundation Team! 💙 Joanna Perry started as our Community Impact and Storytelling Specialist towards the end of last year, working in the marketing and fundraising team. Originally from the UK, she ha