What is the Community Action Programme (CAP)?
The CAP is a new initiative organised in partnership by Brunel University and the Hillingdon Community Trust.
30 carefully selected and trained student volunteers will each be placed to undertake a minimum 50 hours volunteering over 2009-10, using links with existing community and voluntary organisations active in the communities in the six southern wards of the London Borough of Hillingdon.
The programme is free – no cost – to participants, is one-time only and is funded by a combination of a Hillingdon Community Trust grant and Brunel University funds.
The benefit to students is that they will receive enhanced support and training as part of this programme. Participants will be expected to commit to 100% attendance.
Active participation will also be expected in an upcoming development weekend, which involves a two-night stay, all expenses paid, at Cumberland Lodge, Windsor Great Park from Friday 23 to Sunday 25 October 2009. Cumberland Lodge is a former Royal Hunting Lodge in the grounds of Windsor Great Park, and offers unrivalled facilities for residential training - you can find out more about its history by downloading our information sheet (28KB). This is a unique experience that no student at Brunel should miss!
CAP participants will also expect to:
- attend the Brunel University 2010 Public Lecture Series;
- organise a community event;
- attend a team evaluation and certificate-giving event.
CAP volunteer projects
Each participant will be undertaking their community voluntary work through an existing or new community or voluntary organisation or project, either as an individual or in a team with other participants. Say, for example, if an organisation wishes to develop a website, a team comprising students with skills in design, copy-writing and web-design may be formed to deliver the brief.
CAP project aims are to:
- build lasting and constructive outcomes for the six wards of south Hillingdon;
- promote a sustainable model of active student leadership in the community;
- allow Brunel University to make a contribution to its local community by supporting the CAP with running costs, human capital and an original approach to developing community relations;
- develop partnerships between multiple agencies in the six wards and improve university and community relations, thus alleviating or addressing any “town and gown” symptoms;
- engender a high degree of community ownership, by working in partnership with existing and established community groups and organisations;
- strengthen, deepen and reinforce University support for voluntary and community bodies.
How can I apply ?
Students interested in the Community Action Programme should complete an application form, outlining their suitability for the programme and highlighting any past achievements and positions held, how they could benefit from the programme, how the community could benefit from their skills and how the programme may impact positively on their intended post-University life plans. The application deadline is Monday 12 October 2009, 9am.
For more information, download the CAP Application Guidelines (PDF, 41KB) and CAP Application Programme (PDF, 59KB).
More questions?
Any questions you have about the Community Action Programme can be answered by emailing cap@brunel.ac.uk or by contacting Brunel Volunteers.
