COMMUNITY PLACEMENT SCHEME

Written by Koah Joseph, MDXSU Community Placement Intern 

Hello from the Community Partnerships team to wherever you are in the world! We hope that you and your families are safe and well.  

2020 has not been the year we have all expected, this year is far from ideal or normal. In fact it is unlike any other year the globe has experienced before. However amidst it all let us not forget the positive moments we’ve shared. Think about the good things that have happened this year. Maybe you’re a first year and you’ve met lots of new friends? Or you started a new job? Perhaps it’s come to the end of your time here at MDX. Wherever you’re at now, let us reflect on just one positive aspect of many that has happened this year at MDX: The Community Placements Scheme. The scheme enables students to apply for positions within local community organisations or charities, undertaking paid roles to develop their personal and professional skills whilst giving back to Barnet and the rest of the city.  

First of all we want to thank everyone for taking part in the scheme, without any of you taking part, this successful year would not be possible and the impact on the local community would not be as significant. This is the first academic year the scheme has been back up on its feet since 2018 and we couldn’t be prouder of the results! 

Every organisation partner is different and yet they all help the community one way or another; whether that is supporting the youth through clubs and workshops, providing services to support mental and physical health or giving support to other vulnerable member of the community. From only 3 organisational partners at the end of 2018 to 11 partners across this year, we were able to provide 736 hours of work for our students. Not only have we been able to provide paid work for students, this year 2 students were offered further work opportunities with their organisations after their placement came to an end. Finding jobs is hard, especially when you need experience so it was amazing to know that this scheme is able to provide long-term work and experience. The high standards of applicants makes it really hard to choose for our Community Placement partners, as this year one student who was interviewed for a placement but not selected was then recruited in addition to a placement student because of their impressive skills!  

Induction afternoon, camped out in Costa, for our 4 Community Placement students from @CPMDXSU @MiddlesexSU @middlesexuniversity. Excited to have additional staff in the office for the next 6 weeks to help drive forward some of our projects. #community #partnerships pic.twitter.com/E3l3mROQHy

— Young Barnet Fdn. (@Young_Barnet) October 29, 2019

We are excited to announce that our team has added two new collaborators from Middlesex University! @MiddlesexSU @CPMDXSU
Welcome Tommaso and Vamshi. 😁 pic.twitter.com/fnKaVSf6i4

— Voicebox. (@VoiceboxTweets) October 24, 2019

This is a tweet just to say that Veronika, our Brand Design Intern and all round creative genius, has made us these and just....yes. pic.twitter.com/7unjKHfpG8

— Houselights (@HouselightsOrg) August 16, 2019

Not only that but this year we have been able to set up several pop-up stalls to increase opportunities for students to access support with interview tips, CV writing etc, so you can feel more confident when going after those jobs. We also have a greater partnership with MDXworks to promote workshops helping with student employability so we can assist as many students as possible. We know how hard student employability is and we have worked hard this year to give as much support as we can.  

Don’t forget to catch @MiddlesexSU in the Quad today from 11 for Student Success Fest. We’ll be chatting about all the support we provide to help you become as successful as possible 🌟 pic.twitter.com/c1Btgnc5Ge

— Community Placement Scheme MDXSU (@CPMDXSU) November 12, 2019

As an intern for the scheme, I have seen first-hand the impact this scheme has not only on the community, but everyone involved. You wouldn’t believe the difference one placement can have on an organisation. The impact on the community, the work that goes in and the results that occur are incredible and it is only getting better. It is a win-win all around, students get paid work and experience, organisations get extra help and the local area is supported. I feel so proud to be able to say I was part of this scheme this year, it is so rewarding and I have been able to meet so many people in ways that wouldn’t have been possible.  

If you received a candy cane today from us then hi 👋 sign up to our termly mailing list here https://t.co/4GQV7eBtei to hear about paid work opportunities for @MiddlesexUni students in the new term! pic.twitter.com/AvmvlhXpJv

— Community Placement Scheme MDXSU (@CPMDXSU) December 4, 2019

The Community Placement Scheme has been a huge success this year and we should all be so proud. Making a change in your community doing something you love; animation producer, Web design, PR assistant, youth worker and many more opportunities. I think we can all agree that it is important to give back and support others who need it, especially now. Our nation has come together through this global crisis and it starts with one individual affecting their community, you can make a change too. Even if you did not take part in a placement this academic year, there is always next year! Sign up to the mailing list or follow us on twitter so you can be notified when the next round of placements begin. 

Once again, thank you to everyone who was part of the community placement scheme this year! You should all be immensely proud. It’s been a pleasure meeting and working with you all!  

Stay safe, wash your hands and see you next year! 

Koah Joseph 

Community Placement Intern