The LSE Community Engagement Programme was one of the most rewarding experiences in my time at the LSE. Having the opportunity to work with like-minded and mission-drive peers on a charity consultancy project transformed my passion into practical action.

Charisse Kong, Volunteer Consultant 2024-5, MSc International Social and Public Policy

Summary

The LSE Community Engagement Programme present opportunities for student teams to address challenges faced by charities through research and consultancy, fostering impactful local change.

Previous projects

Previous projects have included devising new fundraising strategies for a charity; determining how a charity can better support its beneficiaries; and identifying how a charity can attract younger audiences and volunteers.

Every year, we work with charities operating in a variety of fields including sustainability, gender equity, international development, criminal justice reform, the environment, homelessness, educational equity, disability, and mental health.

Process

During the programme, the teams investigate the challenges, liaise with their charity partners (the clients), and produce actionable recommendations the charities can take to address the challenges. The teams present their findings at the end of the scheme in consultancy reports and presentations.

Every team is supported by the LSE Volunteer Centre, the wider LSE, and LSE Alumni Mentors in addition to the charities.

Outcomes

The programme provides excellent opportunities for students to apply their academic skills to a ‘real world’ issue, learn more about the causes that mean the most to them, meet new people, and develop research, teamwork, and other personal and professional skills in exciting projects that hold the potential to transform lives.

The programme offers charities opportunities to gain fresh perspectives, access the knowledge and skills that students are developing at the LSE, outsource important tasks that resource constraints may otherwise preclude, and contribute to students’ personal, professional and academic development.

Further details

The programme runs every Winter Term (January - March), with an orientation and meet-your-team event for students held every November.

Charity applications to the scheme are open during August and September.

Student applications to the scheme are open during October. The scheme is open to all current students.

Calls for applications will be posted on the LSE Volunteer Centre Blog and LSE Volunteer Centre social media (@lsevolunteering) during the autumn. Our email address for any queries is volunteer@lse.ac.uk.

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