In November 2022, Queen Mary University of London's Student's Union partnered with the London Borough of Tower Hamlets to support local Volunteer and Community Sector (VCS) organisations. Through the Bid Writing Project, postgraduate volunteers assisted these organisations in writing and submitting funding bids, while gaining valuable training and experience in bid writing.
In November 2022, Queen Mary University of London's Student's Union partnered with the London Borough of Tower Hamlets to support local Volunteer and Community Sector (VCS) organisations. Through the Bid Writing Project, postgraduate volunteers assisted these organisations in writing and submitting funding bids, while gaining valuable training and experience in bid writing.
The Bid Writing Project, sponsored by Clarion Housing and with support from the Tower Hamlets Council for Voluntary Service, aimed to empower smaller VCS organisations in Tower Hamlets. These organisations play a vital role in improving the lives of the local community, providing essential services for mental and physical health, empowering minority ethnic women and girls, and addressing social isolation.
Five organisations participated in the pilot project: Shewise, Jubilee Street Practice, Vineyard Projects, Globe Community Project, and Ocean Women's Association. Postgraduate volunteers from Queen Mary University dedicated their time and skills to help these organisations navigate the complex process of bid writing and secure crucial funding for their impactful initiatives.
The Bid Writing Project has already yielded promising results, with seven bids submitted by the dedicated volunteers. The outcomes of these submissions are eagerly awaited and hold the potential to further enhance the services provided by Tower Hamlets' VCS organisations.
Through their involvement in the project, Queen Mary volunteers have gained invaluable experience in bid writing, improving their professional writing skills and bolstering their CVs. The partnership between the university's Students' Union and the Tower Hamlets Volunteering and Community Sector has strengthened, fostering a relationship that benefits both parties.
The success of the pilot project paves the way for future iterations, ensuring continued support for Tower Hamlets' VCS organisations. The ongoing collaboration between Queen Mary University and the local community sector holds the promise of expanding and enriching the ties between academia and grassroots initiatives, driving positive change in East London.