Community Initiatives

We aim to be at the very heart of the community. See below for just a few examples of our community initiatives.

 The Mussel-in Project – a creative arts project for local young people

Concerned about the impact that the university would have when it descended on a quiet part of East Lothian, four final year Drama and Theatre Arts students took it upon themselves to create an initiative which would develop strong relationships between the local youth and QMU students.

The Mussel-In Student Project, run entirely by the team of four community theatre students, ran a creative arts project which celebrated the university students’ arrival and communicate the positive impact that it could have on the town. There were several facets to the Mussel-in Project including youth drama workshops, film- making projects, and an Art Forum. The culmination of all of this work was a unique community arts event which took the form of a drama performance, an art exhibition and a film, all created by students and young people in East Lothian. A wide variety of people from the county ensured that the young people performed in front of packed audiences every night.

In recognition of the progressive work carried out by the Mussel-in project, each member of the student team was presented to the Queen at the official opening of the QMU campus. The Queen and guests were also treated to a short drama performance organised by the Mussel-in project and performed by the local school children.

Forensic podiatry for primary school children

In the style of the US hit TV series CSI, children from a Gifford primary school in East Lothian got the chance to learn about forensic footprints. Academics from QMU’s podiatry department led a session on forensic podiatry, foot circulation and toe surgery with primary 6 school children at Yester Primary, Gifford. The podiatry specialists were invited to the school to present the programme ‘Finding out about feet’ as part of the children’s school health project.

The outreach work of the Podiatry department is ongoing but a variety of academic staff from other disciplines also work with local primary and secondary school children on various projects.

‘The Business Experience’ - Dragon’s Den event for schools

School pupils from the Borders and Midlothian battled it out for the title of the regions’ best young entrepreneurs at ‘The Business Experience’. The event involved budding young entrepreneurs pitching their business ideas to successful business tycoons in the style of Dragon’s Den.

The topics of care for the environment and new technology were high on the pupils’ agenda when 13 teams from 11 schools pitched to a panel of local business tycoons including Charan Gill, Curry King of Scotland and star of TV’s ‘The Secret Millionaire’. A range of experts from QMU’s School of Business were also available on the day to assist pupils develop their business ideas.

Community Open Events

Early in 2008, we hosted a community open day which allowed people of all ages to visit and tour the campus, participate in fun hands-on activities and find out about subjects taught at QMU.

Residents of the local community also joined students and staff at QMU’s first Christmas Market which has held in December 2008. This festive event took place in University Square which was filled with farmers market style stalls with traders selling food, beverages and gifts. Children from Stoneyhill Primary sang carols. The event, which was a great success, was enjoyed by many families from the local area.

Santander Community Service Awards

This initiative, funded by Abbey Santander, recognises students who volunteer for good causes in their free time. The awards aim to foster the community spirit of QMU, and celebrate and reward outstanding achievement or endeavour by current QMU students in a non-academic field. Abbey Santander contribute ten awards of £500 to be donated on behalf of the selected student to  the  organisation with whom the student volunteers. The students each receive £100 from QMU's Student Fund to match Abbey Santander's generosity. 

Collaboration with East Lothian Council

In December 2008, QMU and East Lothian Council signed up to an agreement which is hoped will ultimately bring significant opportunities and prosperity to the county. The two organisations have signed a collaborative agreement to work together at all levels on projects across seven broad areas, to the benefit of the local community. The seven areas are education and schools; health and wellbeing; development of land around QMU for business use; culture and drama; shared services; and transport & sustainability. For more information on this agreement, please contact Jane Scott, Director of Marketing and Communications on tel: 0131 474 0000 or email: jscott@qmu.ac.uk. 

Interested in working with QMU?

If you represent a community group and would like to work more closely with QMU, please contact Jane Scott, Director of Marketing and Communications on tel: 0131 474 0000 or email: jscott@qmu.ac.uk.