Case study (2004) Leeds University Community Initiative (LUCI)

Context

Leeds University Community Initiative (LUCI) was piloted during the 2003-04 academic year as a grant scheme available to students and staff from the University of Leeds. It attracted a considerable amount of interest and a total of £6,632 was awarded to 11 successful applicants. The project aimed to generate interest among staff and students to deliver their own innovative and engaging projects to support the communities in which they live. Sustainability was a key factor in the development of the grants scheme, with funding being used to pump prime activity which could then continue beyond the funding period. Funding would therefore provide resources and capital purchases to support activity but would not pay revenue costs.

Through setting eligibility criteria the University targeted the more deprived wards of the city to ensure that projects supported hard to reach communities. The projects that received funding were diverse and utilised the skills and expertise of the staff and students at the University. From hip hop awareness, fashion design for the homeless to healthy food co-operatives, the funding enabled students themselves to run a small project that would make a difference. The overwhelming success of the programme has led to a continuation of the scheme for 2004-05 and indeed an expansion of the scheme using external funding to support activity in one of the city's neighbourhood renewal areas.

Programme detail

A partnership was formed between the University and Leeds Cares to deliver a community grants scheme with a focus on East Leeds which is a socially and economically disadvantaged area of the city. Both organisations are actively involved in encouraging and supporting volunteering activities across the city. The third project partner is Resourcing the Community, an organisation based in East Leeds which provides support to community groups with finding funding.

Eligible projects break down barriers to opportunities and respond to community needs while making use of the skills and knowledge of the Leeds Cares partner organisations in association with university students and/or staff in the local community.

The successful working partnership between the University, Leeds Cares and Resourcing the Community combines the experience of two organisations with long and established volunteer programmes with an organisation with the knowledge and experience of community activity in the area, thereby giving Jump Start the firm base needed to ensure the success of the scheme.

Staff at Leeds Cares and the University of Leeds provide help and advice with the planning process of applications and assist applicants with contacting relevant bodies and other support groups where needed. Assistance is also provided with finding additional volunteers from the University and/or Leeds Cares.

A number of deadlines for the submission of application forms are set throughout the year, approximately every six weeks. This ensures that volunteers are not discouraged from submitting an application due to missing time-limited bidding rounds

Applications are judged by a panel made up of representatives from the University, Leeds Cares and Resourcing the Community. Resourcing the Community is further supporting the project through raising awareness and promoting the scheme to community groups working in East Leeds and providing advice and guidance to groups with their applications. A Jump Start leaflet was included in its mail out to 900 community groups in the city.

Successful applicants must attend a one-hour compulsory training session delivered by the University of Leeds. Training enhances volunteers' project management skills to ensure the delivery of their projects. Training includes budgeting, claiming expenses, health and safety and equality and diversity.

A number of projects have been awarded funding, including a Street Ball tournament involving ten student and community teams, a youth theatre production of 'Sumting Wkd Dis Way Comes' which showcased at the West Yorkshire Playhouse, and a Saturday club providing academic support and extra-curricular activities to support young refugees.

This partnership formed to deliver the Jump Start scheme combines the experience and knowledge of three diverse organisations and will ensure the success of the Jump Start scheme into next year and beyond.

Hints and tips

  • Wherever possible make use of the knowledge and experience of other organisations to realise the aims of your project
  • Publicise the scheme well, both internally and in the local community.
  • Stay abreast of activity within the community through partnership with an organisation working in the area.
  • Provide training to volunteers to develop their project management and budgeting skills.
  • Provide support and guidance to design community projects.
  • Notify applicants of the panel's decision within a month of the submission of their application.
  • Provide positive feedback and recommendations to unsuccessful applicants to encourage their resubmission.
  • Ensure applicants schedule their projects to start at least one month from the judging of their application, to ensure that sufficient time is allocated to undertake training and resolve any issues raised by the panel.
  • Ensure volunteers complete an evaluation form on the completion of their project to check that your scheme is meeting their requirements.