Green Gown Awards 2017 - Students' Union at Bournemouth University - Finalist

Down by the river- BU students connecting the local community to wildlife

Bournemouth University students have been leading a project to develop an educational resource for local people to enjoy and learn about the nature on their doorstep. The students have facilitated educational sessions at the barn for families and young people. The students have used their expertise and knowledge taught to them through their degrees and applied this to working with our local community.

With help from the RSBP, this project has developed into a valuable asset to the local community and the environment with strong potential for future development which includes the possibility of using the Kingfisher Barn as a base for a social prescription based approach to helping students suffering from mental health and wellbeing issues. 

The project has been a fine example of how students can impact Bournemouth and local people and families in a really positive way.

Top 3 learnings:

1. Partnership working - links between the students and the RSPB have been really important throughout the project and have led to its overall success.

2. Student engagement with the local community - improving student/community relations.

3. Empowerment of students - equipping students with the tools to do their own projects and be leaders.

Videos

• Down by the river- BU students connecting the local community to wildlife (click to hide)