The 11th Student Volunteering Week, organised by Volunteering England, launches today.

The theme for 2012 is ‘Back to Basics: Community Roots’, turning the spotlight on informal volunteering and community action. Numerous official events will be accompanied by informal student action around the country by thousands of participants.

Justin Davis, Smith, Volunteering England chief executive, (pictured) said: "Student Volunteering Week is a fantastic way of celebrating the contribution that students have made to communities across the country and of encouraging others to get involved.

"The range and diversity of activities that students are involved in is truly inspirational and the value of their contribution is incalculable. What is more, the benefit is two-way, so that not only do students help enrich the lives of individuals and communities, but they gain significantly themselves in terms of enhanced confidence, skills development and greater employability.

"The challenge for the volunteering movement is to ensure that enough meaningful opportunities are created to capture the imagination and enthusiasm of students and that support and guidance is in place to maximise the impact of their contribution."

Volunteering England will be presenting the Matt Spencer Award for outstanding contributions to volunteering during the week of action. Nominations for the award were open until 14 February. 

Our round-up, below, of some of the activity surrounding the event will provide you with some of the resources available to understand what the Week is trying to achieve, and how you can help support it.