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Want to change the world? Full of the feels to do something about a cause important to you? You're in luck! No other UK Students' Union has a Student Social Impact team. In fact, we don't think any other university has such a team. What's social impact, we hear you cry! It's the effect of your actions on people and communities - especially when those actions help make the world fairer, kinder, or more sustainable.

What does this mean for you at UCL right now? It's about using your time at university to do things that matter in this way - whether it's through your studies, your passions, or the way you show up in the world. You're here to study right? Wrong! Well, kinda wrong. You are here to shape the world around you. Your degree is one thing but exploring your ideas, passions, and projects can add soo-o much colour and light to your degree. Indeed, it'll add value and quality to your student life.

How to take positive, intentional, and ethical action and change the world around us is 100% our team's passion - it's what gets us all out of bed each morning!

There's lots of ways to take a little - or a large - step into the world of socially impactful activities.

News

Celebrating Student Volunteering Week at Students' Union UCL
Student Volunteering Week, 10 - 16 February, is a national celebration where universities and schools across the country step up to organise opportunities and events to celebrate students who have volunteered as well as encourage more of their students to volunteer and help local communities.
Reflections on a Big Help Out
What's a Big Help Out?Our 'Big Help Outs' bring a group of students together for a day of giving back, meeting new friends, all while supporting local community organisations.
"... this partnership made me feel braver about taking on other projects"
Laura from Coin Street shares her experience working with Empovthise UCL, a student-led project that focuses on improving technological literacy and achieving digital equity.
Volunteering brings something really unique to my time here in London

Events

Volunteering
Big Help Out: River Thames Microplastic Clean Up
18/02/2026 | 10:30 - 12:00
Join Us for a Thames Microplastic Beach Clean with Washed Up Cards on the Isle of DogsJoin Washed Up Cards for a wholesome and meditative beach clean along the River Thames. This session will focus on collecting microplastics which are tiny pieces of plastic less than 5mm in size which helps to protect local wildlife and reduce plastic pollution in one of London’s most iconic rivers.
Volunteering
Volunteer: UCL200 × ZSL Biobank Bioblitz
18/02/2026 | 11:00 - 15:00
ZSL Biobank BioblitzJoin the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) for a unique behind-the-scenes volunteering opportunity at their Biobank.You’ll work in pairs to help audit frozen biological samples from ZSL’s pathology collection, using dry ice to keep them at the right temperature.  Full training in handling biological materials will be provided.
Jobs & Skills
Sustainable Housing Hackathon: Coding and Mapping with Homefolk
21/02/2026 | 10:00 - 18:00
Mapping for sustainable, affordable housing with HomefolkJoin homefolk CIC and Student Social Enterprise for 1 day hackathon focussed on coding and mapping land use for sustainable, affordable homes. This event brings together students with an interest in tech, urban planning, sustainability and social impact.