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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
Lunch and Learn Session 1: CRIS, Actually - Where It Goes in Your Diss
06/07/2026 | 12:30 - 13:30
Welcome to our very first Lunch and Learn! 🥪✨These are short, friendly online sessions where we get together over lunch and chat through some of the questions you’ve been sending our way about writing your dissertations.For this first session, we’ll be exploring how you actually reflect on working with your community partner in your dissertation.Meeting together online, we'll explore:
Give it a Go
Show Up and Write
15/07/2026 | 10:00 - 12:00
Welcome to Show Up And Write!Are you in the thick of dissertation or thesis writing and wishing you didn’t have to do it alone? Looking for a bit of motivation and strength in numbers? Join us for a group writing session!We’ll start by giving everyone the chance to share what they’re planning to work on, then, true to the spirit of the session, you simply show up and write. No pressure, no…
Jobs & Skills
CRIS Career Supercharger: Alumni Edition
30/07/2026 | 18:00 - 20:00
Have you ever wondered where your community‑engaged dissertation might lead you once it’s finished? We certainly have and we’re excited to try something new here at the Community Research Initiative, following your suggestions!