Sometimes, building local community connections can be as simple as connecting with each other and coming up with good ideas.
MacIntyre No Limits™ provides education to young people 16+, in partnership with colleges around the country.
Student Council
To enable students to influence their education programmes and facilities, MacIntyre started a Student Council. This has representatives from all the No Limits provisions, and equips students with skills in leadership and facilitation.
What does Student Council do?
Each provision is slightly different, but there’s a consistent emphasis on using skills and interests within the community, and on supporting each other to speak up.
Environmental survey
A recent task was to undertake an environmental survey. Reps liaised with their peers to find out people’s feeling about the various buildings in which learning and connection take place, whether that is a college campus, a library, or a local coffee shop.
All students had the opportunity participate, and to feedback to their management teams to make essential changes.
Health & Safety
For this project, we launched a photo competition where students can identify good practice and the reverse, plus highlighting things that need to be mended or replaced.
How young people have made an impact
Our Student Rep has run-mini meetings here in MAP and, with support, has made sure that everyone who wants to be included has been. He has created opportunities to speak to peers without the need for them to join a formal meeting with him if that’s better for them.
He regularly surveys the student group on topics, as he has the personality that likes to do this – collecting answers and reporting back is positive for. He has thrived on the inclusion into the organisation of things, the role has given him a huge personal boost
- Programme Manager in Oxfordshire
At No Limits Bedford, we have introduced a 30-minute school council meeting every Friday. This allows Toby and his peers to address their wants or concerns while at college. They also come together to come up with ideas of how they can embrace Everyone Everywhere and local community activities for them to engage in.
Currently, two of our students meet up with local community members and go to a park. They go for a walk and then a coffee morning. Toby and his peers are currently looking into organising a car wash at Cotton End and their next meeting is to confirm details for this and to start creating posters.
- Programme Coordinator, Bedfordshire
In No Limits East Midlands we have worked to build and strengthen connections with Spoilt4Choice, a day provision for some of our learners on the days they are not at No Limits and once they leave us.
Spoilt4Choice are based in close proximity to our base in Thurmaston, Leicester. At Easter our learners made cupcakes and took them to share with everyone there. They were well received – nothing like cake to build relationships!
- Programme Coordinator, East Midlands
