Student Community Champion Projects

University of Reading open doors to community groups for Welcome Week

"For the first time, community organisations have been a part of the University of Reading’s Welcome Week events, organised by the Student Union. Among these groups were the Mojatu Foundation and the Utulivu Women’s Group who work within Reading to improve the lives of women and girls from BAME communities by offering well-being support and tackling issues like FGM and violent crime.

The Student Community Champions (made up of students from the University of Reading) ran sessions for International, BAME and female students alongside Mojatu Foundation and Utulivu Women’s Group. The sessions were designed to create a sense of belonging amongst students, showing them that there is space for them outside the campus, involving them in the community and encouraging them to engage."

Why is community engagement with BAMER (Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and Refugee) people important in Higher Education?

"We are pleased to publish our latest Think-Piece on the importance of community engagement with BAMER people within Higher Education, by Alice Mpofu-Coles, Martina Mabale De Burgos, Saif Maher and Sheldon Allen.

In this blogpost, Alice Mpofu-Coles, Human Geography researcher, first discusses university community work and diversity in Reading.  Martina Mable De Burgos, Saif Maher and Sheldon Allen discuss their experiences working in the community as University of Reading students."

University of Reading at Reading Pride Love Unites Festival 2021

"We were so excited to hear that Reading Pride – Love Unites Festival was back on in person this year and it did not disappoint! We had our usual stand in the festival’s marketplace where we could engage with the community.  

We talked about life on campus, working at the University, the student experience at the University. We also talked about inclusive recruitment, and ways one could join the University, as staff or prospective students. We celebrated the current and ever-expanding support for LGBT+ students and staff at the University, including RUSU’s LGBT+ student society, the LGBT+ Staff Network and much more!"

#UniForReading: University hits the streets to help students meet their neighbours

"Student tenants in Reading are being encouraged to get to know their neighbours, with the University offering them a free lunch if they take the trouble to introduce themselves to people on their street.

Around 200 residents and students living in private accommodation were visited by students and community figures on Wednesday 6 October as part of a University of Reading initiative to create a greater sense of community in the town."