Community engagement

Find out more about how 91��Ƶ contributes to the local community. Read about volunteering opportunities, learning, mentoring, culture and more.

Why 91��Ƶ is great for the region

Community impact is a big part of life at 91��Ƶ. From research and volunteering to educational support and our equality strategy, we’re always aiming to do our bit locally.

We contribute £920 million every year to the national economy, and our academics and researchers help many local organisations innovate and compete.

Almost half of Kingston students come from within a 10-mile radius of our University. We offer older residents the opportunity to continue their education, and add to the region’s skilled workforce by helping more than 6,000 students graduate each year.

Read on to discover everything from how to report community issues to what services we offer for local residents.

Two male students walking across a zebra crossing in Kingston Town, in the background there is a bus waiting for them to pass.

Learn more about our local contributions

Culture and leisure

We play a key role in bringing public performances and sports facilities to residents, businesses and community organisations. We even helped open the Rose Theatre in Kingston.

New learning opportunities

We work with schools, colleges and more to create new opportunities for learning. We’ve invested in a new STEM Outreach Centre, plus two mobile labs for outreach events.

Community recognition

In 2016, we were the NEON University of the Year for widening social inclusion. Our work around inclusive curricula won the 2017 Guardian University Award for teaching excellence.

Mentoring

Our Beyond Barriers mentoring scheme pairs students and staff from underrepresented groups with experienced professionals to offer advice, guidance and support.

Equality and diversity

Our Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion sits on the executive board of the Kingston Race and Equalities Council, and we celebrate individuals and communities through engagement. Read our equality strategy.

Sustainability

We’re always improving our campus, and regularly work with our local community on environmental projects such as clean-ups and recycling initiatives.

Educational support

Our school visiting programme encourages local children to aim for university, particularly those whose families have no previous experience of higher education.

Volunteering in the community

Two students standing in Kingston Town Centre smiling, there are shops in the background behind them.

Want to give your time to a good cause in the community? Through our award-winning volunteering scheme, 300 people offer more than 3,500 hours of service every year.

The scheme gives students and staff the opportunity to: