Resources for Universities
Our resources for universities have been designed to be used by individuals and teams across the higher education sector to practically embed social action within their in-curricular and extracurricular activities.
In this section, you will find a range of resources which support your team to develop the case for scoping, embedding and delivering social action at your university. This includes a report on the case for social action; toolkits and webinars on student leadership, working with community organisations and delivering social action; and resources for universities to audit their practices and delivery.
"It's been really helpful looking back over the 9 years [of partnership with Kingston University] … where Student Hubs' support has ensured we have had a compelling offer for students around volunteering. Secondly, building on our civic mission, how we build, maintain and develop our relationships with community partners, initially within the borough and then beyond that across London. Thirdly with embedding in the curriculum, bringing this to a different student population … bringing social action into the curriculum in those ways helps to build out students' career options."
Our Reports and Toolkits
A range of toolkits, accompanying webinars and a report about building social action within the university experience.
Delivering High Quality Social Action Toolkit
This toolkit provides universities with practical guidance on delivering impactful student social action activities, focusing on community partnerships, student engagement, and creating meaningful opportunities for civic engagement.
Engaging Student Leaders Checklist
About This resource, developed by Student Hubs, provides ...
Engaging Student Leaders Checklist
Empower student leaders with a structured approach to development. This checklist helps universities create an environment where students feel safe, trusted, included, supported, challenged, and excited to grow.
Engaging Student Leaders Toolkit
This toolkit provides universities with frameworks to embed student leadership in existing activities, recruit high-quality student leaders, and support their growth. Learn how to create a culture of leadership that benefits students, institutions, and communities.
One Community Forum Toolkit
The One Community Forum Toolkit empowers university staff to coordinate impactful events, bridging the gap between academia and local communities. It offers step-by-step guidance for designing and implementing collaborative forums.
The Case for Social Action within the Higher Education Experience
Discover the transformative role of social action in higher education, empowering students to gain skills, confidence, and a sense of belonging while positively impacting communities.
Working with Community Partners Toolkit
This comprehensive toolkit guides universities in developing and maintaining valuable community partnerships. It covers partner recruitment, fostering meaningful relationships, and evaluating impact, enhancing civic engagement and student experiences.
Webinars
A range of webinars about building social action within the university experience.
Our Impact & Evidence
Our collection of Impact Reports over the last five years of our delivery (from 2019-2024), our active citizen report highlighting alumni case studies, and our 15 year retrospective which shares our history and journey as an organisation.
Active Citizen Report
This report highlights Student Hubs' impact on developing active citizenship in university students, emphasising connection, trust, and a positive mindset as key factors in nurturing social change-makers.
Student Hubs Impact Report 2022-23
Student Hubs' 2022-2023 Impact Report showcases the organisation's success in empowering university students through social action, with significant improvements in student wellbeing, confidence, and community engagement.
Student Hubs Impact Report 2023-24
Student Hubs' 2023-24 Impact Report highlights the organisation's final year of operation, showcasing the profound impact of student volunteering on both participants and communities. The report emphasises personal growth, skill development, and community engagement.
Student Hubs’ 15 Year Retrospective
Student Hubs celebrates 15 years of fostering student engagement in social and environmental challenges. From its Oxford origins to a nationwide network, the organisation has transformed university experiences and community impact.
Student Hubs’ Impact Report 2019-20
Student Hubs engaged 1,893 students in social action programmes in 2019-20, with 47% being first-time volunteers. Their work supported 1,129 community participants through 104 projects, demonstrating the power of student volunteering.
Student Hubs’ Impact Report 2020-21
Student Hubs' 2020-21 Impact Report highlights the organisation's success in mainstreaming student social action across five UK universities, engaging 1,436 students in high-quality volunteering, skilled placements, and service learning opportunities that benefited nearly 2,000 community participants.
Student Hubs’ Impact Report 2021-22
Student Hubs' 2021-22 impact report highlights their success in empowering university students to become active citizens. Through various programmes, they've facilitated over 8,000 hours of volunteering, improved students' skills, and benefited local communities.
Impact & Evidence Videos
Videos showcasing our history and legacy.
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
