Student Hubs' Legacy Resources for Third Sector Organisations

Explore the legacy of Student Hubs through resources for Voluntary, Charity and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations.

Resources for Third Sector Organisations

Throughout our history, Student Hubs prided itself on being an innovative, forward-thinking organisation which regularly recruited graduates and early career starters to lead our local activities. Our approach to people, culture and innovative policies saw us placed on the Escape the City Top 100 list for two years running (2021 and 2022).

In this section, you will find resources which universities may want to signpost to their local Voluntary, Charity and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector about applying our innovative practices, or for considering their own internal approach to supporting early career starters.

"Being involved with Student Hubs, as well as the people I got to know through it – plus a few other experiences/influences, taught me that idea of 'hope as action'. Active citizenship has a lot to do with people's agency and Student Hubs definitely helped me realise my own agency. A big challenge in many parts of society is that people don't really know that they are able to do something to make change, and they are able to feel the rewards of doing something as part of a community."

Makena Lohr, University of Oxford graduate and Student Hubs alumni

Policies and Practices for Third Sector Organisations

This section captures our approach, learning and recommendations to third sector organisations about how to approach supporting early career starters, and implementing innovative organisational policies.

Laura Poole2025-04-02T10:02:38+00:00

A group of six people standing in a park, holding gardening tools such as shovels and rakes. They are on a grassy area near freshly tilled soil, with trees and pathways visible in the background. The group is dressed casually for outdoor work, wearing gloves and sturdy footwear, and they are smiling at the camera. The scene suggests a community gardening or volunteering activity.

Guide for Community Organisations: Engaging Students

Student Hubs Legacy Resources: Third Sector

This toolkit provides community organisations with strategies to effectively engage student volunteers, from auditing activities to fostering positive cultures and supporting students' development through social action opportunities.

Laura Poole2025-04-02T10:04:06+00:00

A group of people participating in a collaborative workshop or discussion. Two women are seated at a table in the foreground, focused on writing and working together. One wears a white shirt, and the other wears a black and red top. The table is scattered with papers, a water bottle, a phone, and a handbag. Other participants can be seen working in the background. The setting appears to be a professional or educational event.

Guide to Early Career Starters

Student Hubs Legacy Resources: Third Sector

Discover Student Hubs' comprehensive approach to nurturing early career professionals in the charity sector, from inclusive recruitment to thoughtful offboarding practices.

Laura Poole2025-04-02T10:03:42+00:00

A group of people sitting at tables in a meeting room, engaged in discussions and collaborative work. The foreground shows four individuals actively conversing, with notebooks, papers, and laptops on the table. A presentation slide on a screen in the foreground reads: "Analysing your brief and preparation time for the meeting with the Community Partner (AKA Planning time...). Over to you...". Other participants are visible in the background, also working in groups. The atmosphere appears focused and interactive.

Guide to Implementing Organisational Policies

Student Hubs Legacy Resources: Third Sector

Student Hubs' report details their progressive workplace policies, including minimum leave, flexible working, and health promotion. Learn how this youth social action charity prioritised staff wellbeing and productivity through innovative HR practices.

Toolkits for Universities to Support Student Social Action

Are you looking for resources to support universities in delivering student social action activities?

You can find all of our resources for universities on our Legacy Resources for Universities homepage.

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About this page

At the Civic University Network and its National Civic Impact Accelerator Programme, we recognise the profound and enduring influence that engaged citizens have within their communities. We firmly believe that universities are pivotal in inspiring individuals, teams, and systems to better serve their localities.

By providing a platform for these invaluable resources, we aim to help secure the strong legacy of Student Hubs' impactful work, and offer the Higher Education sector a range of free, effective tools to drive positive change.

Our goal is to empower universities to transform lives and places through a truly civic approach, which cannot be achieved without enhancing the student civic experience.

Adam Leach, NCIA Programme Director