Become part of a team of consultants and provide innovative solutions for local organisations in Cambridge. No experience necessary!
Cambridge (virtual delivery)
Next round >> Michaelmas 2021
The Social Innovation Programme (SIP) is an initiative for Cambridge University students to address challenges faced by organisations through research, ideas generation and project development. In a team you're presented with a real-life challenge faced by a local organisation and you will act as external consultants to research and recommend an innovative solution.
The programme provides an excellent opportunity to apply and develop your research, problem-solving and project management skills whilst addressing local social and environmental issues. In the past, we've run challenges with homeless shelters, climate campaigns, a children's mental health charity, a charity supporting people with learning disabilities, and dozens more.
We are looking for motivated individuals who are excited by the prospect of helping our local community. You should be organised, interested in volunteering, and able to work as part of a team.
The programme is open to all current students of the University of Cambridge, visiting students are absolutely welcome. We are not looking for any particular year, degree subject or background, just the enthusiasm to see your own ideas in action.
No prior experience of consultancy or the non-profit sector is necessary, and whatever your skills and interests, we'd love to hear from you. Whilst we're interested in knowing what experience you would bring to the team, we're ultimately interested in motivation, enthusiasm, and potential.
On average, students spend between 6-8 hours a week on their project. This may vary depending on the tasks for each week. It's important to plan how you would fit this in with your other commitments.
Each week you will have a workshop with Cambridge Hub. These are designed to develop skills and help you progress. They are important team building spaces and you are asked to attend all of them. You will meet with you team and community partner in addition to these workshops.
--
--
You can apply via the link at the top of the page. Applications for the next round will open in September 2021.
As part of the application form, you will be asked to specify if you are interested in being a team leader. Team leaders will be responsible for the coordination of their team, including meetings and division of activities. They will also have ultimate responsibility for the meeting of deadlines and for liaising with the community partner. Cambridge Hub is a student-led charity, and we're always keen to support leaders to grow and develop.
You need to check that you will be able to attend all of the events listed above: a selection workshop, the launch event, all training sessions, and the closing event.
If you have any questions about the application process, please contact [email protected]
--
Cambridge Hub is committed to making our activities inclusive to all students. We can make reasonable adjustments to application processes, selection workshops, training sessions and other activities on a case-by-case basis. We also provide ongoing support for the students we work with, so if you have particular accessibility needs, including special educational needs, please write to [email protected] and let us know how we can make the activity more accessible.
--
If you are a non-profit organisation based in Cambridge and would like to host a group of student consultants, have a look here and write to [email protected]
The Social Innovation Programme is sponsored and supported by the University of Cambridge Careers Service.
--
Strategic Partner
Strategic Partner