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Students in the community

During their time in Leeds, we encourage students to think beyond their studies and become responsible citizens who positively contribute to the communities where they live and work.

The Sustainability service engages with our neighbouring communities, helping our students to integrate and foster positive behaviour, and provides community volunteering opportunities that bring residents together to improve community cohesion for all residents. Where necessary we also address the potential negative effects on the wider community through our community complaint process. 

We work with a number of strategic partners, including students unions, Leeds City Council, the city’s other universities and colleges, Police, community organisations and residents. 

Through ongoing dialogue and engagement with the local community and our partners, we work proactively to listen to the concerns and the needs of the community. We aim to support, enhance and develop our programme of activities, ensuring the university and our students play a positive role in society.  

To stay up to date on our latest community news and initiatives or to find out more information, sign up to our Community Newsletter or contact Amanda Jackson.

News

Apply for our new Sustainability Community Arts Project

Looking for a way to develop your artistic practice and your professional skills? The Sustainability Service is providing an opportunity for a team of student volunteers to co-create and deliver a collaborative arts project with a local community partner, Cardigan Community Centre (CCC). The project will consist of designing and delivering a series of six...

Apply for the Community Mural Project 2024/25

The Sustainability Service is offering a professional development opportunity for four volunteer student artists! The team will design and paint a large indoor mural in collaboration with a community-led youth organisation in Harehills, Leeds. Volunteer artists will benefit from training and guidance from a professional Mentor Artist and will gain experience engaging with young people...

Celebrating a year of sustainability achievements

On Monday 24th June, the Sustainability Service hosted a celebration to acknowledge staff, partners, and community members who go above and beyond to embed sustainability in everything they do.  The Sustainability Service is a team dedicated to helping deliver a more socially and environmentally responsible University, and its partnerships with teams and individuals from across...

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Blog posts

Reinventing urban spaces through co-production

This month, we’re shining the light on an innovative research project that highlights the power of partnerships between civic, public, and the higher education sectors....

Creating green spaces: community gardening at the University of Leeds

Student Sustainability Architect, Coline Lightfoot, reflects upon this year's community gardening projects... As the Student Sustainability Architect for community gardening projects, this year’s projects have...

Barter it, Bank it, Bin it: Reflecting on our 2024 Moving Out Campaign 

This year’s Moving Out campaign set out to help students navigate the one of the most stressful periods of the year – tenancy changeovers!  The...

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United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

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

  • Goal 3: Good health and well-being
  • Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities
  • Goal 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions

Find out more about our impact on the SDGs.