Case Study: Two to the Left, Two to the Right

Introduction

As part of the University of Derby's 'Two to the left, Two to the right' initiative, which encourages students to get to know their neighbours, the University of Derby Students Union (UDSU) set up a community fete in a joint venture with various local groups. The fete itself was a sizeable undertaking - approximately 150 students volunteers were involved in the project, either in the preparations or as one-off helpers on the day. As for the fete itself, on top of the stalls run by local community groups and businesses, there was a bar, a "children and family" zone, further areas for relaxation, and performances, and a sports pitch, where a mini-football tournament was held. 

The local groups chose to participate in the fete for a number of reasons: it offered them the chance to be part of a new and unique event; it was a valuable marketing opportunity to promote their work; and because their appearance was free of charge. 

Purpose

This was to provide skills and experience to students, improve relationships with the local community, raise awareness of the positive impact of students in the community and tackle mutually identified issues. 

Raising awareness

Awareness of the fete was raised by various means:

• Letters were sent to local schools, detailing the events of the day. These were produced and delivered by volunteers, and were a real asset in helping to communicate to the wider community aspects of the project.
• Workshops were held with children at local schools to make bunting for the fete.
• Letters were also sent to the parents of the children involved in the workshops to inform them not only that their child's work would be on display at the fete, but also of the ways in which they could get involved as a family.  This proved to be one of the more successful recruitment strategies.
• Some student volunteers who sit in on local residents' meetings gave presentations on the fete, and asked the residents to get involved in that way.
• Other volunteers went out to community groups and voluntary groups to invite them along.
• There were regular stalls in the Derby University main building's atrium, where volunteers hung eye-catching banners and photos.
• Students posted flyers advertising the fete to local areas (they also did a thankyou flyer after the event).

Recruiting volunteers

Because of the nature of the event, it proved to be an easier project to recruit for than most. Word of mouth was probably the most effective way of spreading the word, and many students invited a couple of friends to get involved too.  The project was a great way to ensure interest and recruitment, as it offered many opportunities for students to learn new skills and develop their CV. In the end, the organisers found that they had more than enough students to help them on the day.

During the planning of the project, the organisers approached relevant societies both within the university and within local organisations to further encourage participation. Some examples of these (and how they ended up participating):

• The Afro Caribbean society were involved in setting up a BME mentoring scheme during the project
• The local deaf drama group helped by signing to songs, and supplying a deaf interpreter for the storytelling corner.  This was very useful, as the local deaf school had been invited to the fete.
• The President of the Storytelling society ran a storytelling session in the children's corner.
• The Circus and Street Performance Society ran Circus Skills workshops.
• Students in Creative Expressive Therapy ran an interactive workshop in the children's corner.
• Students on photography courses were encouraged to participate in the photograph competition.
• Sports societies were also a great help: the president of the Derby University football team helped coordinate and referee the football tournament between student and local teams.
• The Multi Faith Centre at the univeristy provided their space and facilities for meetings and training sessions before the event. For a large number of volunteers, this was the first time they had used the centre, and many stated that they would continue to do so afterwards. 

Results/ Outcomes

UDSU received great feedback from the community and local residents after the event - the fete helped to improve the way students were seen by members of the local community, encouraging understanding between the two groups, and generating a number of contacts which will continue to be built upon in the future to sustain the project, For example, they are now developing the role of 'community liaison volunteer'.  Other interesting outcomes:

• The BME mentoring scheme was able to formally train around 20 BME students in the skills of mentoring, and match them to locals in need of such sport. As the scheme was run in conjunction with Derby College, the project also nurtured the relationship between Derby college students and those at the university.
• A new award (the "Two to the Left, Two to the Right" Volunteer of the Year) was created specifically off the back of this project, and was handed out on the University of Derby Awards night.
• Volunteers have started running IT skills workshop with residents of a local old people's home, which has the potential of expanding into other areas of interest.
• An animation about the project was created.
• The organisers designed a specific 'volunteer thank you' certificate to present to students involved in the project

What worked well

Volunteering targets were met successfully, and in some cases exceeded.  Running workshops in local schools was a great way of introducing what student volunteers can offer as part of a wider curriculum, as well as reaching out to parents to help market further events and improve the image of students at the University of Derby.

According to those who ran stalls, the fete was a mutually beneficial event, and they felt that it did a great job supporting local causes and businesses. The mentoring scheme cemented links with Derby College, and the UDSU continues to train mentors and offer this as a voluntary opportunity.  

What didn't work well

Because the event was held on a Saturday, the university porters and security staff were not working, so there was a deal of unforeseen physical labour (e.g. putting in place the 50 or so tables for stallholders) that had to be undertaken by the volunteers. A way to avoid this in the future might involve hiring in help, but as this would then necessitate a charge for the stallholders, it might prove disincentivising or overly expensive. 

Student leads were lent Buzbee digital recorders to cover the event: however, footage was not always taken, due to time constraints or forgetfulness.  Diaries and notebooks (to log meetings, conversations, ideas etc) proved to be more successful, so UDSU can now analyse the involvement and impact of volunteers on the project through these.

Resources Required

This was a student-led project - the administrative staff could only help and support them. For the fete itself, a lot of short-term help was needed on the day to both set upand clear up afterwards.

Expenses included: bouncy castle; bunting workshops (although recycling centres were used for materials); travel costs; CRB checks; incentive lunches. Marketing was also a large cost (printing flyers, banners and posters etc).