HEACF: case studies of good practice

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 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, mentoring 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 to benefit the local community.

All universities engage with the community in different ways, but it is the long-term strategic and sustainable commitment to the community that underpins an improving position. This section illustrates how universities are embedding this commitment in the university agenda, and that community projects are not short-term or remedial activities.

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