Community Plan – one year on

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In November 2020 the University reaffirmed its commitment to the city through the creation of a new community plan. It outlines how the University aims to bring about positive social impact, and act responsibly and collaboratively with communities in our local region.

Just over a year has passed, so here Bulletin shares a summary of what the University’s staff and students have been working on: where good progress has been made; where more work is needed; and what needs focusing on this year.

Supporting local communities through Covid-19

The University had a role to play in vital research and knowledge exchange, as well as providing resources, volunteering and funding throughout the pandemic to support our local communities to respond to the crisis.

The Community Team adapted the regular grants scheme to facilitate ‘quick-release’ micro-grants of up to £500 to community organisations who were adapting their work to respond to community needs in the face of the pandemic.

There were also a number of staff- and student-led projects looking to capture reactions to and provide support for all those affected by the Covid-19 crisis.

Find out more.

Working to end homelessness

Over the last year, the University has invested in research, funding and support for people experiencing homelessness in Edinburgh.

Students and staff working with local charities have made a huge impact, from developing an app to provide support and resources, to offering free treatment and advice for pets belonging to homeless people through All4Paws. The University has also supported a number of homeless charities with funding throughout the past year.

Find out more. 

New learning centre in Craigmillar

IntoUniversity Craigmillar opened in April 2021, providing additional educational support to young people aged 7 to 18 living in an area traditionally associated with social deprivation.

The establishment of the new learning centre in Craigmillar to respond to educational disadvantage and improve access to higher education and training. It is a ground-breaking collaboration between the University of Edinburgh, the University of Glasgow and education charity IntoUniversity.

Support for young people is provided through free after-school academic tuition, mentoring with university students and local professionals, in-school aspiration-raising workshops and work experience opportunities.

Find out more.

Helping people get back into employment through the arts

The University’s Museums team has established an effective partnership with Access to Industry, a charity that works with individuals to support them into education and employment.

The charity is based on the Cowgate, a stone’s throw away from St Cecilia’s Hall – Scotland’s oldest purpose-built concert hall, home to the University’s musical instrument collection.

The partnership first began in the summer of 2019, with volunteering placements at St Cecilia’s Hall for three individuals who were referred via their Access to Industry case worker.

Find out more.

Delivering workshops in schools

Throughout the 2020/21 academic year, STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) professionals from the King’s Buildings campus and Edinburgh BioQuarter delivered hands-on science activities to local primary school children through online STEM Clubs.

The STEM Clubs were designed to support children and teaching staff in areas of multiple deprivation on their return to school, following the difficult months of Covid-19 lockdown.

They were run in partnership with seven primary schools in the neighbouring communities of Gilmerton, Moredun, Craigmillar and Prestonfield.

Find out more.

Staff volunteer in their local communities

The University has a special leave policy which entitles staff to one day of paid leave each year to volunteer for a charity, organisation or other good cause.

As part of the new Community Plan, the University commits to raise awareness of the policy and increase uptake. If all staff used their day of volunteering leave, we would collectively give back more than 100,000 hours to our local communities each year.

In the first year since the community plan was published, good progress has been made in this area.

Find out more.

 

Visit the Community Plan website.