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Growing the seeds of community collaboration: our window box project

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A student helps community members assemble a wooden planter.

Our Window Box Project is now complete! Over multiple sessions, two teams of students from the School of Fine Art and the School of Design volunteered to support community members in constructing, designing, decorating, and planting wooden window boxes.  

What was the project? 

The project involved two community groups in Leeds; Cardigan Elders Connect and Chapeltown Men's Group. The volunteering sessions were held at the Cardigan Community Centre and the Community Health and Wellbeing Hub in Chapeltown. 

Eighteen window boxes were completed for community members who consequently planted bulbs and herb seeds to grow in their homes. We couldn’t be prouder of our eight volunteer students for their enthusiasm for community collaboration. Through sharing their skills in art and design, they gained experience applying their practice in a community setting. 

An assortment of paint pots of various colours.

Why did this project happen? 

This project is part of the Sustainability Service’s community and volunteering work. This area of the Service aims to improve community cohesion and build positive relationships in the wider community around the University. 

With the focus being social sustainability, these community-beneficial projects improve the quality of life for all Leeds residents, not just students, whilst helping to create understanding and respect between both the University and local communities. 

A team of students and community members assemble the components of a wooden window box

Feedback and looking ahead 

Regarding the project, Eunice, a Support Worker at Community Health and Wellbeing Hub, said the following: 

This was the best project we’ve done all year. I’m not sure how we’re going to top that. Please come back again!

We are currently working on other community projects including creating a community pantry at Left Bank Leeds. 

On a table is various paints, brushes, and woodwork tools.

Fancy doing something good for the community?

Our current volunteering opportunities can be found on our get involved page. To be notified when more volunteering opportunities arise you can:

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

We use the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a framework to guide our activity. Our community work is linked to the following SDGs:

    • Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities
    • Goal 17: Partnerships for the goals

Find out more about our impact on the SDGs.

United Nation Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities United Nation Sustainable Development Goal 17: Partnerships for the goals