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Links with the community
- Introduction
- LC1: Trash Splash (2003)
University of Liverpool - LC2: Mentoring and Guidance Project (2003)
London South Bank University - LC3: Building Community Links, Training Event (2003)
Oxford Brookes University - LC4: Live Guides (2003)
Kent Institute of Art & Design (now University College for the Creative Arts) - LC5: Community Engagement (2003 updated in 2005)
University of Leeds - LC6: The Up Your Street Project (2004)
University of Leeds - LC7: Mentoring Refugees into Employment (2004)
Leeds Metropolitan University - LC8: TVU Volunteers (2004)
Thames Valley University
Introduction: Links with the Community
Developing links with the community is at the heart of the HEACF purpose: Volunteering helps to promote a fairer, more cohesive society in which individuals feel they have a stake. It also helps to build bridges between communities and local organisations such as HEIs. [*]
For many universities, building bridges between local residents and the university in areas with large student populations was an obvious priority in the use of HEACF allocations. The case studies on this theme within this section illustrate some of the more imaginative and enduring ways in which students and staff are working with local groups to improve the quality of life for all residents in the locality.
Other case studies look at how universities are supporting particular communities, such as ethnic or faith communities. This can be to meet urgent needs which the university is well placed to address: for example, giving mentoring support to refugees with professional and advanced academic qualifications. In some cases, the initial driver can be the widening participation agenda.
Two case studies draw out some success factors in working with small community groups and local organisations. Importantly, they include an emphasis on how the university's wealth of resources - from training course expertise to meeting space - can be used for the benefit of the local community.
While all universities engage the community in different ways, it is the long-term strategic and sustainable commitment to the community that underpins an improving position. This section illustrates in different ways how universities are demonstrating that this commitment is embedded in the university agenda, and that community projects are not short-term or remedial activities.