There is no shortage of opportunities to get involved at university. With a huge array of potential societies to join, it’s where a lot of us met our closest friends or acquired a funny story about how we went to one social in fresher’s week, before thinking “Never again.”
However, despite these opportunities to get involved in university life, it is easy to feel isolated within the city itself, and unsure about how to secure your place in the wider Edinburgh community. Never fear, here are some different ways to contribute to the community around you when you can’t face another pub crawl with your society!
One of the simplest ways to give back to the community is by volunteering. Not only great for the CV, but you can meet other people outside of the University and feel like you’re making a difference. Working in a charity shop, volunteering at an animal shelter or with young people, such as at Brownies or Girlguiding, are all available options in Edinburgh. There are even opportunities to volunteer digitally, to get that community feel without leaving the comfort of your room (a hard task during these winter months).
Join local community clubs! Whether it is a run club or a painting class, it’s a way to participate in your favourite hobbies whilst also making connections with local residents. It can also be an opportunity to develop a new skill from professionals in the area. Through this, you’re also supporting a local business with participation fees, which is also a great contribution to your community.
In the same vein, there are plenty of community projects to be a part of. Try your hand at gardening by helping out at a local allotment or join in on an environmental clean-up of your favourite natural area in the city. If there’s nothing that floats your boat, you can always start your own project, following a personal passion in a way that benefits other people.
Be local, shop local. Supporting smaller independent businesses is an easy way to support the community without changing too much of your daily routine. Whilst it can be a bit pricier, you can connect with those working in local businesses and become something of a regular, chatting with those working there. Now you won’t get that in the big Sainsbury’s!
Looking to earn some money while becoming more active in local activities? Advertise yourself as a competent babysitter or dogwalker to earn some money for an extra drink at the pub with your mates alongside getting to know some residents and helping them out. A fantastic way to get involved and boost the bank account.
There are endless ways to get involved and feel more part of the Edinburgh community if you know where to look!
Image by Ava Hewitt @_ava.hewitt_