2018/2019

Community Engagement Contents | Community Engagement Introduction | Community Engagement CONTENTS 3 Community Engagement 4 Science Shop 30th Anniversary 6 Social Justice Hub COMMUNITY 7 Diversity through Education 8 Project Social ENGAGEMENT 9 Unblocking Potiential 10 Access to Education Photography Competition actively seeks to build and engage in sustainable 14 Ceremics First Step partnerships with the primary aim of positively influencing individuals 15 One City, One Story and communities across the region through encouraging achievement, recognising success and improving educational attainment. 16 ACE Celebrations 17 Architecture This year we celebrated the 30-year represent the University in all of our 18 Care Leavers partnership of the Science Shop between local district council areas. Acting Ulster University and Queens University as Companions the Fellows deliver 19 The Songbirds , supporting staff and students presentations and workshops, participant 20 Aspirations and telling tales from both institutions to engage in action- in community based forums and celebrate based research projects put forward by talent, to increase the visibility and shared 21 Sociology Trip to Windsor Park community and voluntary partners. understanding of the University’s impact at 22 My Laces a local level, while strengthening our civic 23 Tick the Box We introduced the Civic Ambassador networks across Northern Scheme for Ulster staff to access widening 24 Fostering Aspirations access monies to support community This Annual Review records the wide 25 Community Big Day Out engagement and school partnership range of activities the team have engaged 26 Santa/Elf Run at Christmas activity. in 2018-2019. 27 Creative Arts The department also launched and If you require any further information 28 Care Zone appointed 13 Community Fellows to on these activities, please contact ensure that the community needs and [email protected] 29 Ulster Business School voices continue to be heard by the 30 Student Placement Experience University. The Community Fellows Claire Mulrone Community Engagement Manager

2 3 Science Shop 30th Anniversary | Community Engagement Science Shop 30th Anniversary | Community Engagement

707 Students Science Shop undertook projects 429 217 Magee 39 74 32 Belfast 30th Community Partners Anniversary Annual Science Shop Awards - Prize fund 191 £1000 won by Science Shop Communication and projects Conselling Students The Science Shop in is a joint initiative completed between Ulster University and Queen’s University Belfast and have celebrated a thirty year partnership.

This high impact partnership whereby community partners between the two institutions, has propose research ideas that been successful in continuing undergraduate or postgraduate to support the community and students complete as course voluntary sector, with one joint work. access point to the knowledge base and rich dynamic resources, The Northern Ireland Science which exist across two of the Shop is member of the Living Universities in Northern Ireland. Knowledge Network the International Network for The Science Shop provides Science Shops. a platform for a mutually beneficial partnership between the University and the community and voluntary sector,

4 5 Social Justice Hub | Community Engagement Diversity through Education | Community Engagement Social Justice Diversity through Hub Education

As part of Ulster University’s commitment to civic society in Northern Ireland, the legal talents of our student body are mobilised, through staff Ulster University’s Belfast Campus has hosted the Joint governance, to meet the needs of community-based clients, illustrating the Education Conference held in partnership with the commitment of increasing access to justice for the public. Association of Bulgarian Culture & Education and Engineers Ireland. University staff and students work with • Deliver a mission to ‘enhance effective the Law Centre (NI), Foyle Women’s Aid, participation’, a core element of the ‘fair The focus of the educational event transfer tests to choosing subjects Citizen’s Advice Bureau and the Labour trial’ right guaranteed by international is to support pupils, parents and at GCSE and A Level, routes to Relations Agency to provide advice and human rights law. educators, from ethnic backgrounds, FE/HE including a session on the support in the fields of employment, social • Supervise undergraduate and post- including different language Skills Barometer and accessing security and family law. graduate students to support community- supplementary schools in Northern engineering at University level, based clinical activity with Ireland. The theme of the conference and the requirements for this. Providing the ‘law clinic’ as a civic gateway, ‘Real People, Real Problems, in Real Time’. was ‘Diversity through education Key Speakers included educators Ulster University’s School of Law strives to: is key to success’ and its strategic within Early Years, Principals from objective is to provide access both Primary and Post Primary information to all levels of education and Special Education, alongside in Northern Ireland. University academics and Head of Admissions, providing a rich This event explores and explains environment for parents and young Northern Ireland’s education people to discuss and ask questions systems, covering issues from to the areas of interest to them.

6 7 UlsterProject Law Social Clinic | Community | Community Engagement Engagement Unblocking Potential | Community Engagement Unblocking Potential

‘Unblocking Potential’ is a module, which provides Project participants with an opportunity to return to education. The module is flexible in that it can The course content and class take place over a twelve-week activities allow the student to period, one evening per week identify their learning strengths Social or in a way, that suits most of the and weaknesses. In doing so, class. It is for many, the first step students identify how they learn towards entering into third level and how they can best manage education. ‘Unblocking Potential’ their time to enter into third level Interactive Media student’s complete compulsory interactive media projects is unique, in that it provides the education. with Science Shop community partners/clients. The range and impact of the student, with an opportunity as student projects for Science Shop partners can be viewed on part of the course to reflect on their previous experiences of www.project-social.co.uk learning.

The projects on this website are indicative community and voluntary partners across of the eleven-year partnership between Northern Ireland. Interactive Media students at Ulster University and Science Shop community partners. This This year’s students worked with Belfast work engages students in a collaborative Giants, Endeavour, Badminton NI, #123GP, learning process simulating Interactive Media Carers NI, Foyle Search and Rescue, Kidz This course has given me the opportunity to go on industry practices. Club Ballymoney, SAFER, Tollymore National “ to do third level education. I left school with no Outdoor Centre qualifications, I disliked school, and I believed what The Science Shop provides an invaluable I was told, that I would never amount to very much. learning experience, an opportunity for Project Social was shortlisted for Irish students to develop materials for their Education Outreach Award 2019 and won professional design portfolios while meeting Ulster University Distinguished Education Sarah Anne unmet Interactive Media needs for the Excellence Award. a former student of the ‘Unblocking Potential’ course“

8 9 Access to Education Photography Competition | Community Engagement Access to Education Photography Competition | Community Engagement Access to Education Photography Competition

As part of the University Access Plan we are committed to supporting the wellbeing and educational attainment of communities who traditionally would not have direct access to Higher Education.

We launched our first Access to Photographs from our shortlisted Education Photography Competition, entrants celebrated: partnering with PwC Belfast and supported by Belfast City Council, • Positive Mental Health, where entrants were invited from • History and Heritage, across Northern Ireland to Celebrate • Sport for Life, Life and Learning in Belfast City. • Health Innovation and Policy • Ageing

10 11 Access to Education Photography Competition | Community Engagement Access to Education Photography Competition | Community Engagement The FINAL Photographs from the Access to Education Photography Competition final at the Belfast Campus.

Pictured below (L-R) Professor Raffaella Folli, Hayden Walsh, Professor Alastair Adair and Clare Kennedy, Director at PWC Belfast.

12 13 Ceramics First Step | Community Engagement One City, One Story | Community Engagement

Celebrate World Book Ceramics One City, Day with Schools and Community

Ulster University joined with children, parents and carers First Step One Story from integrated, controlled and maintained primary schools in the North West in launching the ‘One City, One Story’ reading Reaching into the local communities of North project on World Book Day. and West Belfast Aimed at increasing literacy skills for adults and children The Ceramics First Step Duncairn Centre for Arts together, the initiative, which workshops delivered by and Culture welcomed focused around R.J. Palacio’s Michael Moore, Reader, participants from across novel Wonder, promoted Fine and Applied Arts, Belfast. messages of resilience, kindness Ceramics, from Ulster and acceptance through active University’s Belfast Ulster University’s Belfast learning activities within a School of Art and Eimear campus was the proud host school and community setting. O’Caoilte, the Duncairn of all the inspiring artwork, Centre for Culture and the produced by contributors Arts Artist in Residence, who enjoyed engaging and a graduate of in creative practice, Ceramics at Belfast School using materials within the of Art. In collaboration discipline of ceramics. with Ulster University, the

14 15 ACE Celebrations | Community Engagement Architecture | Community Engagement ACE Celebrations Architecture Supporting Local Charities through Fundraising at Ulster University’s Magee Campus 12 Undergraduate students engaged in two projects through 211 students from Ulster Enhancement Module Working with the students from Science Shop partners in North the“ Ulster University Science Belfast capturing both drawings Business School at Magee (ACE) designed to support Shop over the past few years campus engaged in students to transition into have been very helpful for us and architectural models for the Science Shop projects with higher education and here at Foyle Hospice. We have Cavehill, Limestone and Shore six community partners in getting to know their engaged with the students Road cultural and historical completing needs lead campus and the city, carry through various fundraising route and the development of research for partners in the out fundraising activities for initiatives from planning, plans for the St Patricks church implementing and delivering in Sailortown. City. local charities. their events.

The Business students in Over the past five years, partnerships with Ulster’s Students have raised a Noel McMonagle, Community Fundraising Manager,“ Science Shop undertake phenomenal £60,000. an Academic and Career Foyle Hospice

16 17 Care Experienced Students | Community Engagement The Songbirds | Community Engagement The Songbirds

The Inspired study (Individual Specific Reminiscence in Dementia) was Care Experienced led by Professor Ryan from the School of Nursing. Dr Claire McCauley was the Lead Research Associate on the study which was completed in 2018.

Students After hearing a conference attitudes associated with the word presentation on the study, Guy ‘dementia’. To this end, it has LeJeune, Theatre Artist in Residence been written to appeal to a broad (An Grianán Theatre, Donegal) audience ranging from post primary Ulster University encourages applications from students from a care expressed an interest in writing a school children upwards. background and will advise those young people who have been looked play to reflect the real-life stories after by their local authority either in foster or residential care. of individuals living with dementia ‘The Songbirds’ is an aspiration and their families. The InspireD team and awareness raising drama If you are leaving care, or have previously For example, we may be able to provided information about the piece, informed by people living spent time in care for three months or provide financial support, year round proposed play to study participants with dementia who participated in more, and are thinking of applying to the accommodation, and advice and guidance and facilitated introductions for those an Ulster University research study University, there are a from our Community Outreach Officer. interested in collaborating with Mr on reminiscence. The piece reflects range of services and provision that Ulster Those full-time undergraduates who meet LeJeune. This collaboration and the the voices and stories of people University can offer you. the above criteria are eligible for £1,000 reminiscences of people living with living with dementia with the aim care leavers’ bursary per year whilst dementia and their carers culminated of impacting public awareness studying at Ulster University. in ‘The Songbirds’, a piece of drama and understanding of a life with that captures the shared journey dementia. and resilience of people living with dementia in a respectful, educational Student groups will be provided and honest way. with an invaluable opportunity to self-reflect and challenge their ‘The Songbirds’ is a play about perspectives and attitudes towards Very happy to have graduated “Thank you so much for the memory, about humanity, about people living with dementia “ support over the last 4 years. I and secured a full time job. Thanks love and life. It is also a play that in our society. The increased for all the help and support, much just started a graduate leadership celebrates the lives and stories, and understanding and awareness appreciated programme through Ulster the multitude of ways the diagnosis will facilitate a more inclusive University has been navigated. Its ultimate aim environment for people living with is to increase public awareness and dementia within their families, understanding of a life with dementia communities and wider society. “ “ and to challenge the stigma and

18 19 Aspirations and telling tales | Community Engagement Sociology Trip to Windsor Park | Community Engagement

Aspirations Sociology Trip to and telling tales Windsor Park

Include Youth based in - Supported by funding through the Centre for Londonderry is a regional rights-based Flexible Education and in partnership with Each year the UG first charity for young people in or leaving colleagues from ADDL, young people aged year cohort of students care, from disadvantaged communities between 16-21 participated in telling their Public Relations students from the or whose rights are not being met to story though digital storytelling activities, competing the Introduction Jordanstown campus also worked improve their employability and personal recorded both on campus and through a to Sociology module development. residential experience. in partnership with the with worked with IFA Science Shop actively PG students worked on writing strategy to engage with sociology support local female football clubs who are run in authentic real-world by volunteers to develop their media coverage to increase engagement in the local clubs and settings and develop a leagues wide range of transferable skills. UG students developed strategies for the shooting stars campaign encouraging primary aged children you engage in football The Science Shop facilitated the collaboration between academics and Irish Football Association calumniating in a student field trip to the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park in Belfast. The “This experience has had a positive students went on to develop a impact on my own practice, poster exhibition exploring the making me more willing to try innovative programme for young out innovative teaching methods people ‘The Game of Three and engage in collaborations with Halves’ partners outside the university.

Ciaran Acton,“ Course Director, BSc (Hons) Sociology

20 21 My Laces | Community Engagement Tick the Box | Community Engagement

My Laces Tick the Box

The MY LACES (Mentoring Young Looked-after Children with Educational Support) programme, in which Ulster Social Work students help children with ‘Tick the Box’ is a Fostering network a range of activities including numeracy and literacy campaign encouraging young people along with exploring new subjects including sport, to Tick the box on their UCAS form. computing and engineering, started its second year we encourages and welcome cohort of students and children. applications from students who have In March 2018, the program social workers indicated experienced care and will advise won the NI Social Work that they believed that the young people who have been looked Awards Learning and programme helped in building after by their Local Authority in foster Development Award and the confidence to do so. The or residential care. was Finalist in the All Ireland success of the program was Education Awards 2018 disseminated at the Regional If you are leaving care or have previously and Times Higher Education Pathways to HE and FE spent time in care for three months or more Awards November 2017. Education Forum for Care and are thinking of applying to the University, Experienced Young People there is a range of services and provision that The transition to post primary which is made up of all the University can offer you. school was key for these partners in the relevant sector. Those full-time undergraduate students who children, and the children’s meet the criterion are eligible for £1000 Care Leavers Bursary per year whilst studying at Ulster.

If you would like further information, contact us through [email protected] requesting an email or phone number for the Community Outreach Officer.

22 23 Fostering Aspirations | Community Engagement Community Big Day Out | Community Engagement Fostering Aspirations Community

Summer residential for Care experienced young people aged 14 -17 yrs

In partnership with Fostering Network By staying 4 nights on University NI, Ulster University offers an on campus accommodation the young people get to Big Day Out experience to help raise aspirations for our sample student life, which includes budgeting young people in Northern Ireland. Held skills, cooking, mixing with others and getting each July since 2010, participants have to know their way around campus. Other enjoyed sessions in a range of courses such sessions inform the young people of the as Psychology, , Food Innovation, student support and wellbeing services that Ulster University’s Social Work, Law, and Nursing. are available to them at Ulster as well as Coleraine campus hosted arming them with the financial information a Community Big Day Careers Service NI and our own Careers required to sustain student life. Out inviting the local teams have successfully engaged as part of community unto campus the program, with participants researching In 2019, the tenth year of the residential skills and qualifications required to get to their summer school Ulster University’s , for a range of fun career of choice by way of various FE and HE Dr met with the young people activities for all the family. institutions. and discussed their aspirations and career choices for the future. The Big Day Out showcased the fantastic facilities on offer on the Coleraine campus including state-of-the-art sports facilities and the Riverside Theatre. With live music, food, sports and theatre there was something for everyone!

Supported by the Community Engagement team, the local community availed of free transportation to and from the event, funded through Widening Access.

24 25 Santa/Elf Run at Christmas | Community Engagement Creative Arts | Community Engagement

Santa/Elf Run Creative at Christmas Arts Participants of MYLACES (Mentoring Young Looked After Children) Through the Science Shop in partnership with the accompanied by foster carers, Social Justice Hub on the Magee campus engaged parents, siblings and Western Area with the staff from the , working Trust Social Workers, joined the with BA (Hons) Textile Art, Design and Fashion, MSc Community Engagement Staff to in Art Therapy, MFA Design and residents engaged partake in a Santa/ Elf run. The event with Foyle Women’s Aid (FWA). organised by Ulster’s residential services was aimed at raising Using FWA premises in Derry, Undergraduate Cinematic awareness and raising funds for survivors of domestic abuse, students from Magee captured Ulster staff, students and the process and through MindYourMood campaign. technician developed an art personal interviews recorded instillation launched at an the development of the art Women’s Aid International instillation. This short film was Conference – “From Hurt also launched at the “From to Hope” held at Ulster Hurt to Hope” conference. The University Magee campus film was also short listed at a June 2019 film festival in Donegal.

Photo right: Alison Gault ,Senior lecturer Belfast School of Art with two workshop participants.

26 27 Care Zone | Community Engagement Ulster Business School | Community Engagement

Care Ulster Business Zone School The Care Zone project which formed as part of the agreed actions emerging from a suicide prevention workshop. 175 Ulster Business school students from the Jordanstown The project was established as a community Workshops where provided to train Care campus have engaged with Marie Curie and Greater development pilot to tackle poor mental Zone Community Champions exploring how Village Regeneration partnership to completed bespoke health and reduce suicide in the Sacred Heart to facilitate focus groups and techniques business projects. Parish in North Belfast, an area with a high listening and recording issues t local residents prevalence of mental health issues and high are experiencing. The photograph captures suicide rates. this first cohort celebrating their achievements GVRT explore how best to market Curie Northern Ireland to at the Belfast Campus. a new playing field facility in the grow its donation base by In 2018 through the Centre for Flexible heart of the community to local developing new and engaging Education, Community Conversations workers and families. target markets. • Test out your business • Examine Marie Curie’s model by developing and marketing collateral to implementing fundraising understand who their target campaigns to raise brand market is for fundraising and awareness and test your new volunteering, and how they markets. reach this target market. • Evaluate the success of • Based on this research develop your new business model a brand awareness business and identify any areas for model that will allow Marie improvement.

28 29 CareStudent Zone Placement | Community Experience Engagement | Community Engagement Student Placement Experience

Jenny Lindsay, an Interactive Media Student discusses her experience of being a Placement Student for the Community Engagement team

During my year as a Community Engagement by Primary school pupils at Magee campus; Placement Student, I have worked in a variety Lego Challenge event attended by Secondary of roles. I worked developing the new Science school students at Magee campus; and World Shop Website. I have also been responsible Book Day at Currie Primary School Belfast. for developing high quality design material My role here involved being a mentor to a for use by the Community Engagement team group of pupils/students during each event. and the Centre for Flexible Education, in doing so I used a range of media including As part of my placement, I have been very digital and print. I have assisted the fortunate to have the opportunity to attend Community Engagement team by providing many conferences both, internally within the photograph and capturing footage at University and externally. These conferences events and designing pins for the Civic Staff have provided me with new ideas and Ambassadors. techniques, introduced me to new people and have represented a fantastic learning I have been involved with assisting the opportunity. University’s School’s Outreach team at several events. The events I took part in I represented Ulster University at the National included; ‘A Degree of Danger’ held in Equestrian Inter-Varsities hosted by Trinity collaboration with Big Telly on Immersive College and was on the winning Dressage Theatre attended by year 10 and year 11 team. In recognition of our achievement, I Students at Coleraine campus; Healthy was awarded the Half Colours Award at the Heroes Finale including the Elf dash attended UUSU Colours Award.

My placement year has provided an invaluable “practical learning experience. I have gained essential transferrable practical and technical skills. “ 30