This month we had The Dings on campus to run a City Challenge with us.
City Challenges are a programme of events providing students with the opportunity to engage with charities and social enterprises and support worthwhile organisations, whilst developing skills to improve employability.
By taking part in a City Challenge students gain experience in group working, problem solving, public speaking and presentation, innovative thinking, and community engagement.
The Dings
The Dings is a small, inner-city neighbourhood in the St. Philips area of Bristol nestled alongside Temple Meads and the train line. The community is in the midst of small indie businesses and traders, dynamic commercial development, vibrant nightlife, the floating harbour/ Feeder Canal, and the railway.
Distinct from the surrounding areas, The Dings has a unique character and spirit.
The challenge
The Temple Quarter area surrounding The Dings is undergoing enormous change. Light industry and small independent businesses are being replaced by large-scale student housing, set to accommodate around 4,000 students. While this transformation brings opportunities, it also poses risks. The loss of valued businesses could erode the character and support networks of the area, while the sudden growth of a transient population has the potential to overwhelm such a small, residential neighbourhood.
The Dings wanted to work with our students to come up with ideas on how a new, transient population of students can become a vibrant community with a real sense of place; one that lives and works alongside existing communities and businesses to create an exciting and welcoming new area in the unique city of Bristol.
Outcomes
Ideas from the students included:
- Improving local transport networks to increase safety for travelling and avoid overwhelming the services that are in place.
- Holding local sports events to bring the community together.
- Running food festivals where foods from different cultures could be shared.
- Creation of green spaces with outdoor gyms, benches and shelters to give people a place to go.
- Volunteering opportunities for students within the community.
- Community gardens where food can be grown and shared.
- Tours led by local residents to help students understand the community and find their way around it.
Here’s what Nola had to say about the session:
“I found the afternoon to be really engaging, informative, energising and impressive. The students fully engaged with the challenge and came up with some great ideas, thoughts and insights, with an underlying, reassuringly consistent, message around values, what is important to create a healthy and happy environment to live in and the value of community. I have also been incredibly impressed with the number of students who have been in touch subsequently and with the depth and genuine nature of their responses.”
Sign up for a City Challenge
We are hosting four more City Challenges this term, book your space now.
Look out for our fortnightly Employers on Campus newsletter for updates on when new events are available to book.
Find out about other ways we can help you stand out to employers on the Careers Service website.
If you have any questions about City Challenges, or anything else relating to careers you can speak to us on live chat, or pop in to 5 Tyndall Avenue.
