Working with Communities

Gardening scheme Helping elderly people who are frustrated that their gardens have become unkempt Combating isolation of local elderly people Reduce crime (well cared for streets less likely to have crime) Improve physical environment of neighbourhood Helping students improve their gardening skills Projects and Need

Visiting scheme Gardening scheme Luncheon club Christmas Party Trips to the seaside Projects and Need Local elderly people feel isolated and alone

Project 1 Two masters students – one studying Planning in the Bartlett, the other Fine Art in the Slade – want to set up a community gallery space using a disused premises in East London. Transport for London may have a site for them. They want a space in which both the local artists, as well as local residential communities, can collaborate on art exhibitions that reflect local life. Project 2 A couple of Chemistry students want to set up a series of parent-and-child chemistry events in a community centre on a Camden housing estate. There is a high proportion of low income families and families for whom English is not their first language. The idea of events is to enthuse young and old about chemistry, and to promote the concept of higher education generally.

To offerTo gain Project Leader  Organisational skills  Knowledge of gardening  Academic perspective  Insight into how other people regard urban environment – ties in with thesis.  Develop organisational skills further  Satisfaction  Useful contacts Student volunteers  Time and energy  Input into planning and delivery of project  Chance to use and develop gardening skills  Break from studies  Social contact with students and non-students Older people  Their gardens!  Their own gardening knowledge and insights  Social contact  Garden looks nice  Volunteers can make them aware of other things going on in the community Third Age Project (organisation for older people)  Place to store tools  Knowledge of local estate  Help organising rota of gardens  Knowledge of best practice in community work.  Extra service to their members  More volunteers – might get involved in other projects  Helps achieve charitable aims UCL  Funding  Advice from VSU / PEU  Reputation  Rooms for meetings  Volunteering and public engagement helps UCL meet various strategic objectives  Including student satisfaction, employability, links within London, etc.