Students volunteered throughout the year to support local efforts, including for: nature, those in emergency housing, and refugees. Staff have also been out volunteering in force. Students collaborated with local communities through dissertations and coursework. Student volunteering Our commitment Continue to support the Edinburgh University Students’ Association in their work running the Student Volunteering Service and recognise students for their voluntary efforts, including through the Edinburgh Award. Students are giving their time to enhance local nature, fill bellies to combat hunger, and campaign for and with refugees. These are only a fraction of the stories of positive change student volunteers are making in the Edinburgh City Region.265 students received a Saltire Awards Certificate for volunteering in 2023/24. Volunteering (Students' Association) Dirty Weekenders There are areas of land around Edinburgh that are devoid of trees, overgrown with invasive plants and at risk of wildfires spreading. The Edinburgh Dirty Weekenders student society has been doing conservation work to help support nature since 1991. Every Sunday, they plant trees, remove invasive species, make fire breaks, hit the ground with mattocks – a tool a bit like a pick-axe – and many other fun things that truly make a difference to the natural environment around Edinburgh.In March, they volunteered at Lauriston Farm, planting trees and making fences. Slurp Wander around any city, including Edinburgh, and you’ll likely see someone unhoused, needing food and accommodation. Slurp is a society of Edinburgh-based students committed to taking action for housing justice. Volunteers prepare delicious hot meals to serve to those in emergency accommodation. Local charities they volunteer with include: The Pleasance Lifehouse run by The Salvation Army Bethany House run by Bethany Christian Trust Women's Emergency Accommodation run by Streetwork at Simon Community Scotland. Student Action for Refugees Charities around Edinburgh are working hard to support refugees, and they need more resources. Students from the University of Edinburgh are helping. STAR (Student Action for Refugees) is a UK-wide network of student societies volunteering and campaigning for and with refugees. STAR has been working closely with the Welcoming and ReAct, as well as with the Edinburgh City Mission, to provide asylum seekers with basic goods and everyday household items. At the Welcoming’s conversation cafe, STAR student volunteers helped asylum seekers and refugees develop their English skills and the confidence to express themselves, while the student volunteers had the opportunity to make friends in the wider Edinburgh community. This year, we were able to cook upwards of 140 meals per week for the residents of the Bethany House homeless shelter, boosting morale not only among the residents, but the support staff as well who had to do less of the cooking.It was touching catching up with a former resident of the shelter we volunteer at. A chance encounter at our new community cafe revealed that he had gotten his long-awaited flat, and it was really rewarding to see him living independently and doing well. Eric from Slurp Staff volunteering: day to make a difference Our commitment Encourage staff to take part in the University’s new ‘Day to Make a Difference’ scheme (staff can take one day of paid leave each year to volunteer on a community project of their choice), and highlight ways members of the local community can take part in University activities. Over 300 staff used their volunteering day in 2023/24 The University’s A Day to Make a Difference initiative gives every member of staff an additional day of paid leave to volunteer for a charity, organisation or other good cause. Community engagement as part of students' degrees Our commitment Support and scale-up opportunities for all students to undertake community engagement projects as part of their degree programmes. Working directly with local people enriches learning for students and brings benefits to communities. The Binks Hub Communities, artists and academics can miss out on opportunities when they aren’t connected. The Binks Hub is a partnership to bridge the gap. Placement-led dissertations are a piece of the puzzle to help build relationships with local organisations. For example, MSc student Amrita Puri engaged with The Ripple Project, where she conducted an ethnographic study by actively participating in a ceramic workshop aimed at envisioning the future of local communities. The Ripple is a non-profit organisation that works to support community members in the Restalrig, Lochend, and Craigentinny areas of Edinburgh. Edinburgh College of Art, BA(Hons) Textiles Often, art students create work for imaginary clients to build experience. Meanwhile, there are real-world organisations that could benefit from that creativity. Edinburgh’s Textiles programme incorporates community activities at various points in its curriculum. In a recent project, second-year students collaborated with multiple community groups based at Greyfriars Charteris Centre, Edinburgh. They co-designed, digitally-printed and embellished textile panels representing each group, to be displayed at the centre. School of Education and Sport, MA(Hons) Learning in Communities Placements enable students to become competent, informed, and reflective practitioners in community learning and development. This programme engages with over 100 community organisations in the Edinburgh city region. Their annual placement fair encourages networking and partnership between students and community groups. Business School, Management Consultancy in Practice: Innovation and Entrepreneurship Students worked with People Know How throughout their studies. People Know How was a Scottish charity aiming to improve wellbeing across communities by supporting people to overcome barriers and thrive. Edinburgh Medical School There’s a huge difference between learning a concept in a classroom and talking to someone with lived experience.Each year, first-year medical students go to Craigsfarm Community Development Project in Livingston to learn about the social determinants of health. These are the social and environmental conditions that influence a person's health. For example, where they live, their job, their income level, education, and access to healthcare. This article was published on 2025-01-23
