Progress all of us have made in the third year since publishing the Community Plan, from the period November 2022 until October 2023. Gemma Gourlay, Head of Social Impact at the University of Edinburgh, shows some of the amazing work that’s happened this year in this video. Three minutes, 27 seconds. Read the reportScroll down to explore the five themes of our report as webpages, or download the PDF version. Document University of Edinburgh Community Plan 2020–2025, Year 3 Report (4.65 MB / PDF) Introduction from Gemma Gourlay, Head of Social Impact Image The University of Edinburgh has a long-standing commitment to delivering positive change in local communities. This means supporting social impact, sharing knowledge and experience, building close connections, providing services to our community and opening our estate.For the University of Edinburgh, civic engagement is not a ‘nice to have’; meaningful relationships with our local communities are fundamental. This legacy means we have a genuine commitment to shape the concept of a civic university in the 21st century.Playing an active role within our localities is fundamental to our purpose and is a core theme in Strategy 2030. Some of the ways in which we deliver against this purpose are strategic, with wide, cross-University involvement. Our widening participation programmes are a flagship example of this; we want to make sure that local young people thrive and feel a sense of belonging at our University.Another example is our investment portfolio. Unlike most other universities, we have proactively funded socially positive investments. As we go into 2024, we have committed almost £8million to social causes. Simon Community Scotland have used our investment to provide permanent homes for rough sleepers in Edinburgh. Gemma Gourlay, Head of Social Impact But it’s also true that there are any number of examples of student groups and staff who are self-organising to create and deliver projects that have a positive impact in our local areas. For example, student volunteers are providing music lessons for vulnerable children, and staff providing accessible, science-based climate change education for local children.This report is just a snapshot of some of the activity that has taken place across the University throughout 2023 that is supporting local communities here in the Edinburgh City Region. As we reflect on the last year, our commitment is unwavering: we want to continue our collaboration with existing community partners and forge new relationships with future friends. Working together, we know we can have even greater impact in Edinburgh’s local and surrounding areas.Gemma Gourlay,Head of Social ImpactThe Department for Social Responsibility and Sustainability, the University of Edinburgh We’re half-way through our Community Plan…\nhow are we doing? 32 commitments: 19 great progress, 12 getting there, 1 needs a boost in 2024. 7 should see a major change in 2024. 1. Support social impact: enabling positive social change Progress on the Scottish Government Social Impact Pledge, Social Investments, and how the Community Grant Scheme is making a positive impact. 2. Share knowledge and experience: data and wellbeing Two-way flows of knowledge between schools & communities and experts at the University of Edinburgh have been flourishing in 2023. 3. Build close connections: getting back into community events In 2023, the University has emerged with a renewed commitment to getting out and about, working in collaboration with communities across the city. 4. Provide services to our communities: young people Young people bring a wealth of talent, creativity and enthusiasm to the university environment and we want to make sure that local young people can benefit from University resources and opportunities. 5. Open up our estate: community room use and social impact through construction Local communities are benefitting from the University’s civic approach to its buildings, old and new. What we did in previous years Progress we made in since publishing the Community Plan. This article was published on Monday 22 July 2024
