2023-24 in numbers
students took part in our programmes
community partners collaborated with us
community members joined our activities
students agreed the activity enhanced their university experience
students agreed they gained an increased understanding of social issues
students agreed participating enhanced their wellbeing
partners agreed the students added expertise to their work
partners agreed students allowed them to innovate
Our Theory of change
All of our work is informed by our Theory of Change, and double benefit model.
Keep reading to learn more about what our Theory of Change means for students, community partners and universities. Along with our organisational Theory of Change, all of our programmes have their own Theories of Change to support the delivery of their aims, outputs and outcomes.
Our impact on students
We believe that when students are supported to:
Learn about issues and themselves
Connect with each other and their communities
Do something to tackle challenges within the framework of our activities
Through our supportive, inclusive and empowering approach, they develop critical engagement, including an understanding of social issues and a passion to continue tackling them; wellbeing, including their sense of belonging and connection with the university and local communities; and skills for life including confidence, leadership, teamwork and resilience.
Ultimately we empower students who engage with our activates as part of their broader student experience to become active citizens for life.
Sarah Lawless, Kingston Hub
[It] is one of the best activities I have undergone during my time at university. It provides so many benefits; it has allowed me to build in confidence, meet new friends, apply my knowledge and skills, research new things, as well as being rewarding and emotionally fulfilling. Few other experiences allow you to build such valuable skills, while also genuinely enjoying your work and feel like you’re making a difference.
Our impact on Communities
We work with communities in a supportive, collaborative and tailored way. In turn, they benefit from
New perspectives including added expertise and energy
Added capacity for new and existing work
Community cohesion with an improved perception of, and connection with, the university community
We support communities to thrive, offering a wide range of activities, support and provision for every member. Our programmes support community members to feel safe to express themselves, supported by student participants, respected without judgement or criticism, and interested and engaged by activities and challenged to try new things.
Young Bristol, Bristol Hub
As a result of the student’s work we now have a clear idea of what the community need and want to see at the club…. [We enjoyed] getting a fresh perspective on an existing challenge. It has enabled us to explore new opportunities for service delivery
Our impact on Universities
We engage student bodies and local communities through our activities in collaboration with university partners. Our approach is place-based and inclusive. This can support institutions to
Enable wider strategic goals through close collaboration
Add value to student engagement through our learn, connect, do cycle
Support civic and social responsibility through added community benefit and new community relationships
This supports universities to thrive both internally serving students, and externally connecting with their local area.
Ali Orr, Kingston University
The opportunities Student Hubs creates for students and graduates are unusual. In building their partnerships they get under the skin of the institution and understand it, rather than having a one-size-fits-all model. The values of Student Hubs’ work and organisation are shared in aligning with the university’s values, and [Student Hubs’ team] team live the values in the work they deliver.