Community Action Lab

Make a Difference. Build Your Skills. Lead a Project.

Want to make a positive impact in your community but not sure where to start?

Whether you have a brilliant idea, a cause you're passionate about, or simply want to gain experience and develop new skills, the Community Action Lab is for you.

The Community Action Lab is a three-day kick-off event that launches a six-month journey where you'll work with fellow UCL students and community organisations to create and deliver your own student-led community project. Together, you'll tackle real challenges facing local communities and develop projects that make a meaningful difference to local people.

Over three days, you'll take part in practical workshops designed to help you understand community needs, develop project ideas and build the confidence to take action. You'll meet community organisations, learn from their expertise and gain the knowledge needed to turn an idea into a successful project.

What will I gain?

The Community Action Lab is designed to help you develop practical skills outside the classroom that employers value. Through the programme, you'll learn how to:

• Design and develop a community project that solves a real-world problem
• Work collaboratively with community organisations
• Lead and motivate volunteers
• Manage projects from idea to delivery
• Measure and communicate impact

Following the Lab, you'll put these skills into practice as you spend six months developing and delivering your project. From your first idea through to the final delivery, you'll have the opportunity to see a project through from creation to completion while making a genuine difference in the community.

Why take part?

This is your chance to:

• Work with local community organisations to support people in the community 
• Create positive social impact 
• Develop consultancy skills by working with community organisations to solve real-world challenges 
• Develop communication, teamwork and project management skills 
• Gain hands-on leadership experience 
• Meet like-minded students who care about making a difference 
• Build confidence in leading projects and working with external partners 
• Boost your career with practical experience and transferable skills 
• Leave university with real-world experience that sets you apart after graduation

You do not need any previous volunteering, leadership or project management experience, and you don't need to have a project idea before you apply. If you're enthusiastic about making a difference and keen to learn, we'll help you develop the rest.

Join the Community Action Lab and turn your passion for positive change into real action.