The University of Edinburgh has released a final report about the progress made since the start of the Community Plan 2020-25.
The plan included 32 commitments beginning from November 2020, with five stated aims: support social impact, share knowledge and experience, build close connections, provide services to our communities, and open up our estate.
The report said that 26 have met the aims they initially intended, while the others remain a “work-in-progress.”
Some of the contributions made include providing free meeting space to almost 200 local community groups and social investments of £8m.
It also included the significant publication of Race Review in 2025 which detailed the university’s colonial and slavery ties.
The report did cite some examples of where commitments have not been fully met, putting this down to “financial challenges,” including the ending of large-scale community engagement opportunities for students.
Beyond university-led community engagement, many students have found their own ways to get more connected with the local community.
One student-run charity that helps contribute to the broader community is Children’s Holiday Venture (CHV), which works with children in Edinburgh.
Its stated aim is to “improve the children’s emotional wellbeing, confidence, and social skills through free fortnightly activity evenings, day trips, and residential camps.”
One second year student who has been involved in this work told The Student: “I started Volunteering with CHV in my second year and it’s been one of the best things I’ve done at Edinburgh!”
“Getting to give back to a community that’s welcomed me with open arms has been really rewarding and I would recommend it to all students.”
Image by Isabel Beiboer for The Student.