COMMUNITY At University College Birmingham, sustainability is shaped by our community. As a university rooted in Birmingham, and a part of one of the UK’s youngest and most diverse cities, we aim to build environmental citizenship, deepen belonging and support wellbeing across campus. Students take part in ambassador roles, volunteering, community projects and naturebased activities that reinforce sustainability as part of everyday life. Our partnerships with local organisations and our commitment to achieving the University Mental Health Charter are helping create a healthier, more connected and resilient community. Together, these experiences will equip learners to contribute confidently to sustainable change in their city and beyond. Channelling our resources to create a positive impact throughout our community locally and globally. I feel really fortunate to lead this group – it’s a chance to turn commitment into action. We work together to cut our environmental impact, champion sustainable behaviour and empower others to get involved. From waste-reduction projects to campus-wide campaigns, our work strengthens University College Birmingham’s resilience and contributes to the wider effort to address the climate crisis and build a fairer, more sustainable future. Mark Godwin, Director of Strategic Partnership Projects Community Working Group lead for our Sustainability Steering Board LOOKING AHEAD 2025-2030: A SELECTION OF ACTIONS WE’RE TAKING ACROSS OUR COMMUNITY COMMUNITY Working continuously to establish robust and sustainable governance as a foundation for a resilient institution. COMMUNITY AND BELONGING AS MECHANISMS FOR CHANGE SUPPORTING OUR AMBITION TO ACHIEVE THE UNIVERSITY MENTAL HEALTH CHARTER (UMHC) DEVELOPMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CITIZENSHIP Establish a Sustainability Ambassador programme Establish a sustainability events calendar Create a sustainability awards programme Become a Plastic Free Community by 2026 Support communities through sustainability upskilling Support and empower our community to deliver additional sustainability events Promote healthy behaviours around food, drink, smoking, vaping and substance use by 2027. Continue to establish and work with sustainability partners Address consumeristic behaviours affecting wellbeing and understand inequalities in access to sustainable living by 2030 Foster belonging, social integration and meaningful work by 2030. CASE STUDY Installing reused acoustic baffles in the BRIG cafe BRIG (Birmingham Race Impact Group) café is a community space at The Warehouse in Digbeth and Birmingham Friends of the Earth’s home for environmental community work. It hosts wide-ranging events, but its acoustics were challenging, impacting attendees’ experiences. Our sustainability team stepped in to help, suggesting some acoustic baffles, and then sourcing some baffles which were in need of a new home. We reached out to our commercial refurbishment partners, Intex Projects, who had expressed a strong interest in supporting community projects. Intex installed the baffles in the space, improving acoustics and the experience for everyone who uses it. A small act with real impact: keeping materials in use, supporting a community space where climate activism and social justice meet. Why is sustainability a key part of achieving the University Mental Health Charter? Sustainable environments, green spaces and connected communities are increasingly recognised as fundamental to mental health and wellbeing. The University Mental Health Charter, developed by Student Minds, the UK’s student mental health charity, sets out what good practice looks like across a whole university community, requiring institutions to evidence that wellbeing is genuinely embedded in culture, curriculum and campus life. At University College Birmingham, that means access to nature, healthy behaviours, a sense of belonging and dignity on campus, all of which our sustainability commitments are directly designed to deliver. Introduce a Period Dignity Policy via the Women’s Network by 2026. Enable opportunities to engage with nature and outdoor spaces, recognising the wellbeing benefits, by 2026. UNIVERSITY COLLEGE BIRMINGHAM SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGY 2025–2030 21 UNIVERSITY COLLEGE BIRMINGHAM SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGY 2025–2030 20
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